NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS INDICATOR

OF THEMONTH

Student computer use

August 1999

U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Research and Improvement

NCES 1999011

Computers have become an essential tool in our society. Early exposure to computers may help students

gain the computer literacy that will be crucial for future success in the workplace. Access to computers at

school and at home allows students to retrieve information, manipulate data, and produce results efficiently

and in innovative ways. Examining the extent to which students have access to computers at school and

at home may be an indicator of how well- prepared students will be to enter an increasingly technological

workplace.

n Between 1984 and 1996, the percentage of 4th-, 8th-,

and 11th-graders who reported using a computer at

school at least once a week increased substantially.

n The youngest students were more likely than older

students to report that they used computers at

school. In 1996, 72 percent of 4th-graders reported

using a computer at school at least once a week,

compared to 47 percent of 8th-graders and 50 percent of 11th-graders. However, 8th- and 11th- graders

were more likely than 4th-graders to report using

computers every day.

n In 1996, 79 percent of 4th-graders, 91 percent of 8thgraders, and 96 percent of 11th-graders reported

using a computer at home or at school to write

stories or papers, a substantial increase from 1984.

The percentage of students who used a computer

to learn things also increased between 1984 and

1996 for all three grades.

n Students from high income families were more

likely to report using a computer at home or at

school than students from low income families.

Between 1984 and 1993, the percentage of students

who reported using a computer at school increased

by similar amounts across family income levels.

However, the increase in the percentage of students who used a computer at home was higher

for students from families with higher incomes.

Percentage of students who reported using a computer at school, by grade and frequency of use:

198496

Percentage of students who used a computer at home or at school, by grade and reason for use:

1984–96

NOTE: Details may not add to 100.0 due to rounding.

Grade 4 Grade 8 Grade 11

Reason for use 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996

To play games 71.8 79.0 84.5 82.8 87.4 89.7 84.1 85.3 83.7 84.7 86.8 89.1 75.7 78.9 79.0 78.4 76.6 83.6

To learn things 67.9 70.4 75.8 82.9 82.0 87.5 58.2 73.7 70.5 72.8 76.4 82.6 54.6 65.3 64.5 72.3 70.7 80.2

To write stories

 or papers 23.4 39.6 48.6 56.9 68.3 79.2 15.0 58.4 61.3 73.1 82.3 91.2 18.8 61.2 68.9 84.1 86.9 95.7

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education

Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress, Almanac: Writing,

1984 to 1996, 1998.

Frequency Grade 4 Grade 8 Grade 11

of use 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996

Never 61.2 29.8 18.9 16.5 14.0 11.4 66.7 41.8 40.5 37.6 27.7 23.3 55.0 44.7 44.9 27.2 26.1 16.0

Less than 

 once a week 12.5 17.4 14.5 22.0 15.8 16.3 17.0 22.2 19.3 23.9 26.9 29.2 20.9 24.0 26.5 31.5 30.9 34.2

Once a week 15.5 34.2 41.1 37.0 39.6 36.0 8.1 13.9 12.9 12.8 16.1 14.5 5.7 6.4 6.6 10.8 8.0 15.3

Two or three times 

 a week 7.6 15.0 17.7 18.6 22.8 26.5 4.6 12.2 16.0 15.1 14.5 16.2 6.3 9.7 8.3 11.3 12.4 16.5

Every day 3.2 3.6 7.8 5.9 7.7 9.9 3.6 9.8 11.3 10.5 14.9 16.7 12.1 15.2 13.7 19.2 22.6 18.1
Percentage of students who reported using a computer

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education

Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress, Almanac: Writing,

1984 to 1996, 1998. U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the

Census, October Current Population Surveys.

This indicator is one of 60 from The Condition of Education 1998. It is in

the public domain and may be reproduced without permission.

Suggested citation: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for

Education Statistics, The Condition of Education 1998, NCES 1999011.

Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. To obtain a copy of

the full volume of The Condition of Education, contact ED Pubs at

(877) 433-7827 (E-mail: edpubs@inet.ed.gov). The full indicator and all

supplemental tables pertaining to this indicator may be viewed at

http://nces.ed.gov/pubs98/condition98/c9803a01.html.

Percentage of students who reported using a computer at home or at school, 

by grade and reason for use: 1984–96

1984 1988 1992 1996 1984 1988 1992 1996 1984 1988 1992 1996

1984 1988 1992 1996 1984 1988 1992 1996 1984 1988 1992 1996

0

20

40

60

80

100

0

20

40

60

80

100

Percent

To play games To learn things To write stories or papers

Percentage of students in grades 7–12 who used a computer at school or at home,

by family income: October 1984, 1989, and 1993

1984 1989 1993 1984 1989 1993

0

20

40

60

80

100

0

20

40

60

80

100

Percent

Low income Middle income High income

Used a computer at school Used a computer at home

Grade 4 Grade 8 Grade 11

Percentage of students who reported using a computer at school

at least once a week, by grade

0

20

40

60

80

100

0

20

40

60

80

100

Percent

Grade 4 Grade 8 Grade 11