This dissertation consists of three papers. Online Learning, Offline Outcomes: Online Course Taking and High School Student Performance. This paper uses fixed effects models to estimate differences in contemporaneous and downstream academic outcomes for students who take courses virtually and face-to-face, both for initial attempts and for…

This article presents findings from an investigation of the overall effectiveness of Michigan's Freedom to Learn (FTL) One-to-One initiative. The major goal of the FTL initiative was to help students to gain 21st century knowledge and skills while increasing their learning and achievement through the integration of over 20,000 laptop computers…

As Internet technology encroached on the public school classroom about a decade ago, Kim Ross, superintendent of the Houston School District in Houston, Minnesota, saw an opportunity. At first, he and his administrative team simply wanted to offer students in the district of 1,300 access to more classes via the web than what a district that size…

The state of Kentucky has embarked upon a large scale systems change effort to integrate Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, including use of digital curriculum and computerized reading supports to improve overall student achievement. A major component of this initiative is the use of Read & Write Gold. As higher expectations are…

"Keeping Pace" has several goals. First, it strives to add to the body of knowledge about online education policy and make recommendations for advances. Second, it serves as a reference source for information about programs and policies across the country, for both policymakers and practitioners who are new to online education as well as those who…

Findings are reported from 25 sites using the Individualized Study by Telecommunications (IST) program, an individualized, multi-media approach involving microcomputers which was designed to bring secondary education to small, isolated rural school districts in Alaska. This document summarizes the development and pilot-testing of the model,…

Educational applications of computing are reviewed, beginning with a brief introduction to microcomputers and microcomputer characteristics that might be important for school use. An examination of significant models in computer education outside Australia emphasizes projects in the United Kingdom, France, and the United States, including the…

This document represents the final report for an evaluation study of the Delaware Computer Inservice Program. The purpose of this program was to increase the use of computers in traditional subject areas. The program was pilot tested in three schools, each from a different district in Delaware, during the 1987-88 school year. The focus of the…

This booklet provides an overview of IST (Individualized Study by Technology) programs at small, isolated rural high schools in Alaska, which use individualized microcomputer-based courses to provide a more complete curriculum. First, a general description is given of the IST program, which utilizes teachers, traditional texts, and printed…

This report is intended to help Michigan's vocational and technical teachers and administrators make decisions regarding the purchase of microcomputer hardware and software for professional use. Addressed in a discussion of computer hardware are current and planned inventories of microcomputer hardware located in the public vocational and…

Describes and evaluates efforts by North Carolina to assist school personnel in using computers and computer assisted instruction. Discusses a general statewide conference, eight follow-up hands-on regional workshops, follow-up application conferences, specialized planning sessions, and the implementation of a state coordinating project. (DC)

This report contains administrative summaries for program evaluations of these 11 1983-84 Chapter I, Chapter II, and state compensatory education programs in the Fort Worth Independent School District, Texas. The programs evaluated are the Elementary Resource Teacher/Aide Program; the Chapter I Parochial Reading and Mathematics Program; the…

Researchers conducted case studies of Ninth Grade Success Initiative (NGSI) grants to gain a greater understanding of issues facing large numbers of at-risk students, many of whom, despite potentially receiving services as early as kindergarten, still reach ninth grade unprepared to succeed academically in high school. Case studies focused on NGSI…

This paper describes cost models designed to aid schools in effective cost planning through analysis of the relative costs and benefits of individualized, computer-based instruction. The models are then applied to the Individualized Study by Technology (IST) program of the Alaska Department of Education (DOE) using data obtained in a pilot study…

The goal of "Keeping Pace" is to to serve as a useful document for policymakers and practitioners, and as such, it takes a journalistic approach to research and writing. Most state and program profiles include footnotes that reference state laws, state policies, and websites of programs. However, in some cases, the information is general and was…