NCES 2010-034 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Educational Technology in U.S. Public Schools: 

Fall 2008

First Look

Educational Technology in 

U.S. Public Schools: Fall 2008 

First Look 

APRIL 2010 

Lucinda Gray 

Nina Thomas 

Laurie Lewis 

Westat 

Peter Tice 

Project Officer 

National Center for Education Statistics 

NCES 2010–034

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
U.S. Department of Education

Arne Duncan 

Secretary

Institute of Education Sciences 

John Q. Easton 

Director

National Center for Education Statistics

Stuart Kerachsky 

Deputy Commissioner

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is the primary federal entity for collecting, analyzing, and 

reporting data related to education in the United States and other nations. It fulfills a congressional mandate to 

collect, collate, analyze, and report full and complete statistics on the condition of education in the United States; 

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April 2010 

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Suggested Citation 

Gray, L., Thomas, N., and Lewis, L. (2010). Educational Technology in U.S. Public Schools: Fall 2008 (NCES 2010–

034). U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Washington, DC: U.S. Government 

Printing Office. 

For ordering information on this report, write to 

 ED Pubs 

 U.S. Department of Education 

 P.O. Box 22207 

 Alexandria, VA 22304 

or call toll free 1-877-4-ED-Pubs or order online at http://www.edpubs.gov. 

Content Contact

Peter Tice 

(202) 502-7497 

peter.tice@ed.gov
iii

Acknowledgments 

The authors would like to recognize the respondents from public elementary and secondary schools 

who provided data on educational technology upon which the report is based. We also thank the sponsors 

from the Office of Educational Technology.
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v 

Contents 

 Page 

Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................................... iii

List of Tables .............................................................................................................................. vi

Appendix A Tables ..................................................................................................................... vii

Appendix B Tables ...................................................................................................................... viii 

First Look Summary ................................................................................................................... 1 

Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1 

Selected Findings ............................................................................................................... 2 

Tables ......................................................................................................................................... 4 

Related Reports .......................................................................................................................... 19

Appendix A: Standard Error Tables .......................................................................................... A-1

Appendix B: Technical Notes ................................................................................................... B-1 

Appendix C: Questionnaire ....................................................................................................... C-1 
vi

List of Tables

Table Page 

1. Percent of public schools that have instructional computers with various 

characteristics, ratio of students to instructional computers with Internet access, and 

ratio of instructional computers in classrooms to number of classrooms, 

by school characteristics: Fall 2008 ................................................................................. 4 

 

2. Percent of the computers in public schools that are used for instruction, percent of 

instructional computers with various characteristics, and percentage distribution of 

the mobility and location of instructional computers, by school characteristics: Fall 

2008 ................................................................................................................................. 5 

3. Percent of public schools providing handheld computing devices (e.g., Palm OS, 

Windows CE, Pocket PC, BlackBerry) to administrators, teachers, or students, and 

among those schools, the mean number of handhelds for administrators, the ratio of 

full-time-equivalent (FTE) teachers to handhelds for teachers, and the ratio of 

students to handhelds for students, by school characteristics: Fall 2008 ......................... 6 

4. Percent of public schools providing various technology devices for instruction, and 

among those schools, the ratio of students to number of devices, by school 

characteristics: Fall 2008 ................................................................................................. 7 

5. Percentage distribution of public schools reporting the type of wireless network 

access in the school, and percent reporting the operating system(s) or platform(s) 

used on their instructional computers, by school characteristics: Fall 2008 .................... 8 

6. Percent of public schools using their district network or Internet access to provide 

various opportunities and information for teaching and learning, 

by school characteristics: Fall 2008 ................................................................................. 9 

7. Percent of public schools with staff in the school full time whose only responsibility 

is technology support and/or technology integration into instruction, and percentage 

distribution of public schools reporting how long it takes to obtain various types of 

technology support, by school characteristics: Fall 2008 ................................................ 10

8. Percentage distribution of public schools reporting the extent to which people in 

various roles help school staff integrate technology into instruction, by school 

characteristics: Fall 2008 ................................................................................................. 11

9. Percentage distribution of public schools reporting the extent to which people in 

various roles provide technical support for educational technology in the school, by 

school characteristics: Fall 2008 ...................................................................................... 14

10. Percentage distribution of public schools reporting agreement or disagreement with 

various statements on using educational technology in the instructional program in 

the school, by school characteristics: Fall 2008 ............................................................... 17
vii 

Appendix A Tables

Table Page 

1a. Standard errors for the percent of public schools that have instructional computers 

with various characteristics, ratio of students to instructional computers with 

Internet access, and ratio of instructional computers in classrooms to number of 

classrooms, by school characteristics: Fall 2008 ............................................................. A-3 

2a. Standard errors for percent of the computers in public schools that are used for 

instruction, percent of instructional computers with various characteristics, and 

percentage distribution of the mobility and location of instructional computers, by 

school characteristics: Fall 2008 ..................................................................................... A-4 

3a. Standard errors for the percent of public schools providing handheld computing 

devices (e.g., Palm OS, Windows CE, Pocket PC, BlackBerry) to administrators, 

teachers, or students, and among those schools, the mean number of handhelds for 

administrators, the ratio of full-time-equivalent (FTE) teachers to handhelds for 

teachers, and the ratio of students to handhelds for students, by school 

characteristics: Fall 2008 ................................................................................................. A-5 

4a. Standard errors for the percent of public schools providing various technology 

devices for instruction, and among those schools, the ratio of students to number of 

devices, by school characteristics: Fall 2008 ................................................................... A-6 

5a. Standard errors for the percentage distribution of public schools reporting the type 

of wireless network access in the school, and percent reporting the operating 

system(s) or platform(s) used on their instructional computers, 

by school characteristics: Fall 2008 ................................................................................. A-7 

6a. Standard errors for the percent of public schools using their district network or 

Internet access to provide various opportunities and information for teaching and 

learning, by school characteristics: Fall 2008 .................................................................. A-8 

7a. Standard errors for the percent of public schools with staff in the school full time 

whose only responsibility is technology support and/or technology integration into 

instruction, and percentage distribution of public schools reporting how long it takes 

to obtain various types of technology support, by school characteristics: Fall 2008 ....... A-9 

8a. Standard errors for the percentage distribution of public schools reporting the extent 

to which people in various roles help school staff integrate technology into 

instruction, by school characteristics: Fall 2008 .............................................................. A-10

9a. Standard errors for the percentage distribution of public schools reporting the extent 

to which people in various roles provide technical support for educational 

technology in the school, by school characteristics: Fall 2008 ........................................ A-13

10a. Standard errors for the percentage distribution of public schools reporting 

agreement or disagreement with various statements on using educational technology 

in the instructional program in the school, by school characteristics: Fall 2008 ............. A-16
viii 

Appendix B Tables

Table Page 

B-1. Number and percent of responding public schools in the study sample, and 

estimated number and percent of public schools the sample represents, by school 

characteristics: Fall 2008 ................................................................................................. B-4 

B-2 Percent of cases with imputed data in the respondent sample, and percent of cases 

with imputed data the sample represents, by questionnaire item: Fall 2008 ................... B-5 
1 

First Look Summary 

Introduction 

This report provides national data on the availability and use of educational technology in public elementary 

and secondary schools during fall 2008. The data are the results of a national school-level survey that is one of 

a set that includes district, school, and teacher surveys on educational technology.1 Every year between 1994 

and 2005 (with the exception of 2004), the Office of Educational Technology (OET) in the U.S. Department of 

Education asked the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) to conduct a survey of public schools to 

track access to information technology in schools and classrooms. NCES used its Fast Response Survey 

System (FRSS) to conduct these surveys. For fall 2008, this OET-sponsored technology study was redesigned 

and expanded to incorporate surveys at the district, school, and teacher levels. These three surveys provide 

complementary information and together cover a broader range of topics than would be possible with one 

survey alone. Prior to 2008, the surveys focused on computer and Internet access and use, as well as 

procedures to prevent student access to inappropriate material on the Internet and teacher professional 

development on technology use.2 The set of 2008 surveys collected data on availability and use for a range of 

educational technology resources, such as district and school networks, computers, devices that enhance the 

capabilities of computers for instruction, and computer software. They also collected information on leadership 

and staff support for educational technology within districts and schools. 

During the design phase for the 2008 study, research was conducted to determine how specific topics and 

survey questions should be distributed across the three surveys. The surveys were developed to reflect how 

information on educational technology is kept within most public school systems. This report presents results 

from the school-level survey, including information on computer hardware and Internet access, availability of 

staff to help integrate technology into instruction and provide timely technical support, and perceptions of 

educational technology issues at the school and district levels. The school survey covers the following specific 

topics: 

 Number of computers the school has for instructional and administrative use; 

 Number of instructional computers, by type, mobility, location, Internet access, and other characteristics; 

 Types of operating systems used on instructional computers; 

 Number of handheld devices (e.g., Palm OS, Windows CE, Pocket PC, BlackBerry) accessible to 

administrators, teachers, and students, and number of other types of technology devices provided by the 

school for instructional purposes; 

 Availability and type of wireless network access; 

 Use of district network or Internet access to provide various opportunities and information for teaching 

and learning; 

 Length of time usually required to obtain various types of technology support in the school; 

 Leadership and support available to help school staff integrate technology into instruction and provide 

technical support in the school; and 

 Opinions of school-level respondents about statements related to using educational technology in the 

school. 

 

1

 For results from the district-level survey, see Educational Technology in Public School Districts: Fall 2008 (NCES 2010–003) at 

http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2010003. NCES expects to release the teacher-level survey results in spring 2010. 

2

 A list of related reports from the 1994 through 2005 FRSS technology surveys of public schools may be found in the Related Reports section. 
2 

The questionnaire instructed schools to answer the survey using fall 2008 information and provided the 

following definitions to be used when answering the survey. 

Technology: Information technology such as computers, devices that can be attached to computers 

(e.g., LCD projector, interactive whiteboard, digital camera), networks (e.g., Internet, local networks), 

and computer software. We specifically are not including non-computer technologies such as 

overhead projectors and VCRs. 3

Classroom response system: Wireless system allowing a teacher to pose a question and students to 

respond using ―clickers‖ or hand-held response pads, with responses compiled on a computer. 

Document camera: Device that transmits images of 2- or 3-dimensional objects, text, or graphics to 

a computer monitor or LCD projector. 

 NCES in the Institute of Education Sciences conducted this FRSS survey in fall 2008. FRSS is a survey 

system designed to collect small amounts of issue-oriented data from a nationally representative sample of 

districts, schools, or teachers with minimal burden on respondents and within a relatively short period of time. 

Questionnaires were mailed to 2,005 public schools in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The 

unweighted survey response rate was 78 percent and the weighted response rate was 79 percent. The survey 

weights were adjusted for questionnaire nonresponse and the data were then weighted to yield national 

estimates that represent all regular public elementary and secondary schools in the United States. The results of 

a nonresponse bias analysis conducted for the survey to inform the nonresponse weight adjustments, along 

with additional details about the survey methodology, response rates, and data reliability, are presented in 

appendix B: Technical Notes. 

Because the purpose of this report is to introduce new NCES data through the presentation of tables containing 

descriptive information, only selected findings are presented. These findings have been chosen to demonstrate 

the range of information available from the FRSS study rather than to discuss all of the observed differences; 

they are not meant to emphasize any particular issue. The findings are based on self-reported data from public 

elementary and secondary schools. 

All specific statements of comparisons made in the bullets have been tested for statistical significance at the 

.05 level using Student’s t-statistics to ensure that the differences are larger than those that might be expected 

due to sampling variation. Adjustments for multiple comparisons were not conducted. Many of the variables 

examined are related to one another, and complex interactions and relationships have not been explored. 

Tables of standard error estimates are provided in appendix A. Detailed information about the survey 

methodology is provided in appendix B, and the questionnaire can be found in appendix C. Appendix B also 

includes definitions of the analysis variables (i.e., school characteristics) and terms used in the report. 

Selected Findings 

This section presents key findings on educational technology in public schools in fall 2008. 

 An estimated 100 percent of public schools had one or more instructional computers with Internet access 

and the ratio of students to instructional computers with Internet access was 3.1 to 1 (table 1). Ninetyseven percent of schools had one or more instructional computers located in classrooms (excluding laptops 

on carts) and 58 percent of schools had laptops on carts. 

 Of the computers in public schools, 91 percent were used for instructional purposes (table 2). Of these 

instructional computers, 98 percent had Internet access, 15 percent were less than 1 year old, 14 percent 

were laptops on carts, and 51 percent were located in classrooms (excluding laptops on carts). 

 

3

 This is the exact wording of the definition provided to respondents on the questionnaire. LCD is the acronym for liquid crystal display. 
3 

 Public schools provided handheld devices to administrators (49 percent), teachers (15 percent), and 

students (4 percent) (table 3). 

 Public schools reported providing various technology devices for instruction, including LCD (liquid 

crystal display) and DLP (digital light processing) projectors (97 percent), digital cameras (93 percent), 

and interactive whiteboards (73 percent) (table 4). Within the schools with LCD or DLP projectors, the 

ratio of students to projectors was 32 to 1. 

 Public schools reported having wireless network access for the whole school (39 percent), or for part of 

the school (30 percent), or wireless connections only from laptops to carts (9 percent) (table 5).4 

 Windows operating systems for instructional computers included Windows Vista (in 13 percent of 

schools), Windows XP (84 percent), Windows NT or 2000 (27 percent), Windows 95, 98, or ME (23 

percent), and Windows 3.1 or DOS (2 percent) (table 5). Macintosh operating systems included Mac OS 

10 or higher (in 31 percent of schools) and Mac OS 9 or earlier (15 percent).5

 Public schools used their district network or the Internet to provide standardized assessment results and 

data for teachers to individualize instruction (87 percent), data to inform instructional planning at the 

school (85 percent), online student assessment (72 percent), and high-quality digital content (65 percent) 

(table 6). 

 Thirty-one percent of public schools reported having full-time staff in the school whose only responsibility 

was technology support and/or technology integration (table 7). Forty-seven percent of secondary schools 

reported having such staff compared with 27 percent of elementary schools. Thirty-five percent of schools 

with low poverty concentration6

 reported having full-time technology staff compared to 28 percent of 

schools with high poverty concentration. 

 Nine out of 10 schools reported that it takes 8 hours or less to get network services restored when the 

network goes down (22 percent reported less than 1 hour and 68 percent reported 1 to 8 hours) (table 7). A 

larger percentage of schools with low poverty concentration compared to schools with high poverty 

concentration reported that it takes less than 1 hour to get network services restored (27 percent versus 11 

percent). Fifty-one percent of schools reported that it takes 1 to 8 hours to receive assistance with software 

problems or questions, and 45 percent reported that it takes 2 to 5 days to get a computer repaired. 

 Public schools reported the extent to which various staff helped school staff integrate technology into 

instruction. Teachers helped in 20 percent of schools to a major extent and in 47 percent to a moderate 

extent (table 8). School-level technology staff helped integrate technology into instruction in 29 percent of 

schools to a major extent and in 34 percent to a moderate extent. District-level technology staff provided 

technical support in 59 percent of schools to a major extent and in 27 percent to a moderate extent (table 

9). School-level technology staff provided technical support in 42 percent of schools to a major extent and 

in 30 percent to a moderate extent. 

 Opinions on the use of educational technology in the school differed by poverty concentration. A larger 

percentage of schools with low poverty concentration than schools with high poverty concentration 

agreed that ―teachers are sufficiently trained in technology usage‖ (74 percent versus 62 percent), 

―teachers are sufficiently trained to integrate technology into classroom instruction‖ (67 percent versus 56 

percent), ―technical support for educational technology is adequate‖ (74 percent versus 60 percent), and 

―funding for educational technology is being spent in the most appropriate ways‖ (79 percent versus 69 

percent) (table 10). 

 

4

 Respondents were asked to choose which of the following best describes the wireless network access in the school: (1) no wireless access of any 

kind; (2) the only wireless connections are from laptops to a cart, with the cart connected to a wall port; (3) wireless network access is available 

in part of the school; or (4) wireless network access is available in the whole school. 

5

 A school may report more than one operating system. 

6

 Poverty concentration is based on the percent of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch (less than 35 percent and 75 percent or more—

referred to as low and high, respectively).
4

Table 1. Percent of public schools that have instructional computers with various characteristics, ratio of students to instructional 

computers with Internet access, and ratio of instructional computers in classrooms to number of classrooms, by school 

characteristics: Fall 2008 

School characteristic

Instructional computers 

with Internet access

Instructional computers in classrooms

(excluding laptops on carts)

Percent of schools 

that have laptop 

computers on carts

Percent of schools 

that have computers 

available for students 

to take home

Percent 

of schools that have 

instructional 

computers with 

Internet access 

Ratio of students to 

instructional 

computers with 

Internet access1

Percent 

of schools that have 

instructional 

computers in 

classrooms 

Ratio of instructional 

computers in 

classrooms to 

number of 

classrooms2

All public schools .................................................... 100 3.1 97 3.0 58 6

Instructional level3

Elementary ................................................................ 100 3.2 98 3.2 55 4

Secondary .................................................................. 100 2.9 96 2.6 65 13

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 100 2.2 94 2.8 51 10

300 to 999 .................................................................. 100 3.2 98 3.0 57 5

1,000 or more ............................................................ 100 3.2 98 2.9 76 7

Community type

City ............................................................................ 100 3.4 97 3.0 60 5

Suburban ................................................................... 100 3.2 97 3.1 62 5

Town ......................................................................... 100 2.7 99 3.1 56 8

Rural .......................................................................... 100 2.9 96 2.7 53 8

Region

Northeast ................................................................... 100 2.8 99 3.0 64 6

Southeast ................................................................... 100 2.9 98 3.3 61 5

Central ....................................................................... 100 3.1 96 2.6 55 7

West .......................................................................... 100 3.5 97 3.0 54 7

Percent combined enrollment of Black, Hispanic, 

Asian/Pacific Islander, or American Indian/

Alaska Native students4

Less than 6 percent .................................................... 100 2.8 97 2.6 52 7

6 to 20 percent ........................................................... 100 3.0 98 2.9 62 7

21 to 49 percent ......................................................... 100 3.2 98 3.0 58 5

50 percent or more ..................................................... 100 3.2 96 3.2 58 6

Percent of students eligible for free or reduced-price 

lunch

Less than 35 percent .................................................. 100 3.1 97 2.8 62 6

35 to 49 percent ......................................................... 100 3.2 96 2.7 54 6

50 to 74 percent ......................................................... 100 2.9 98 3.2 55 8

75 percent or more ..................................................... 100 3.2 97 3.3 55 5

1 Ratio computed by dividing the number of students in all public schools by the number of instructional computers with Internet access in all public schools. 

2 Ratio computed by dividing the number of instructional computers in classrooms (excluding laptops on carts) in all public schools by the number of classrooms in all public schools. 

3 Data for combined schools (those with both elementary and secondary grades) are included in the totals and in analyses by other school characteristics but are not shown separately. 

4Black includes African American and Hispanic includes Latino. 

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Response Survey System (FRSS), ―Educational Technology in U.S. Public Schools, Fall 2008,‖ 

FRSS 92, 2008; and Common Core of Data, ―Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey,‖ 2005–06.
5

Table 2. Percent of the computers in public schools that are used for instruction, percent of instructional computers with various 

characteristics, and percentage distribution of the mobility and location of instructional computers, by school characteristics: 

Fall 2008 

School characteristic

Percent of 

computers 

that are used 

for 

instruction

Percent of 

instructional computers that:

Percentage distribution of instructional computers 

by mobility and location

Laptop 

computers 

on carts

Not laptop computers on carts

Are desktops

Are less than 

1 year old

Have Internet 

access

In 

classrooms

In computer 

labs

In library/

media centers

Other 

location

All public schools .................................................... 91 76 15 98 14 51 27 6 2

Instructional level1

Elementary ................................................................ 91 77 15 98 13 56 23 6 2

Secondary .................................................................. 92 76 17 99 16 43 33 7 1

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 90 74 14 98 15 45 31 7 1

300 to 999 .................................................................. 91 77 15 98 13 54 24 7 2

1,000 or more ............................................................ 92 76 16 99 15 48 30 6 1

Community type

City ............................................................................ 91 76 15 97 14 53 25 6 2

Suburban ................................................................... 92 75 15 99 14 54 24 6 1

Town ......................................................................... 92 78 17 98 14 51 28 7 #

Rural .......................................................................... 91 78 16 98 14 46 32 7 2

Region

Northeast ................................................................... 92 69 16 99 20 50 22 6 2

Southeast ................................................................... 92 77 17 98 13 55 25 6 1

Central ....................................................................... 91 79 14 99 14 45 32 8 1

West .......................................................................... 91 80 14 97 11 54 27 6 2

Percent combined enrollment of Black, Hispanic, 

Asian/Pacific Islander, or American Indian/

Alaska Native students2

Less than 6 percent .................................................... 91 79 15 98 13 45 33 8 1

6 to 20 percent ........................................................... 91 76 16 99 15 48 29 7 1

21 to 49 percent ......................................................... 91 76 14 99 13 53 25 6 2

50 percent or more ..................................................... 92 76 17 97 14 55 23 6 2

Percent of students eligible for free or reduced-price 

lunch

Less than 35 percent .................................................. 91 74 16 99 16 48 28 7 1

35 to 49 percent ......................................................... 91 79 16 98 13 49 29 7 2

50 to 74 percent ......................................................... 92 77 14 98 12 55 25 6 1

75 percent or more ..................................................... 91 78 15 97 13 56 22 5 3

# Rounds to zero. 

1 Data for combined schools (those with both elementary and secondary grades) are included in the totals and in analyses by other school characteristics but are not shown separately. 

2Black includes African American and Hispanic includes Latino. 

NOTE: This table contains percents of computers and not percents of schools. Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Response Survey System (FRSS), ―Educational Technology in U.S. Public Schools, Fall 2008,‖ 

FRSS 92, 2008; and Common Core of Data, ―Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey,‖ 2005–06. 
6 

Table 3. Percent of public schools providing handheld computing devices (e.g., Palm OS, Windows CE, Pocket 

PC, BlackBerry) to administrators, teachers, or students, and among those schools, the mean number of 

handhelds for administrators, the ratio of full-time-equivalent (FTE) teachers to handhelds for teachers, 

and the ratio of students to handhelds for students, by school characteristics: Fall 2008 

School characteristic

For administrators For teachers For students1

Percent of 

schools

Mean number 

of handhelds2

Percent of 

schools

Ratio of FTE 

teachers to 

handhelds3

Percent of 

schools

Ratio of students 

to handhelds4

All public schools .................................................... 49 2 15 4 4 21

Instructional level5

Elementary ................................................................. 47 2 16 3 3 13

Secondary ................................................................... 56 4 14 11 6 44

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 39 2 16 3 3 12

300 to 999 .................................................................. 50 2 15 3 4 14

1,000 or more ............................................................. 62 4 15 9 7 48

Community type

City ............................................................................ 48 2 18 3 4 15!

Suburban .................................................................... 51 2 14 5 4 18

Town .......................................................................... 56 2 16 3 4 31

Rural .......................................................................... 43 2 15 4 4 30

Region

Northeast .................................................................... 46 2 14 4 5 24!

Southeast .................................................................... 60 3 16 5 5 28

Central ........................................................................ 44 2 15 4 5 14

West ........................................................................... 47 2 16 3 2 23!

Percent combined enrollment of Black, 

Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, or 

American Indian/Alaska Native 

students6

Less than 6 percent ..................................................... 46 3 16 5 3 30

6 to 20 percent ............................................................ 51 2 11 7 5 35

21 to 49 percent .......................................................... 53 2 14 4 5 14

50 percent or more ..................................................... 46 2 18 3 3 15

Percent of students eligible for free or 

reduced-price lunch

Less than 35 percent ................................................... 50 2 13 5 5 28

35 to 49 percent .......................................................... 49 2 12 5 4 29

50 to 74 percent .......................................................... 47 3 16 3 4 13

75 percent or more ..................................................... 48 2 20 3 3 15

! Interpret data with caution; the coefficient of variation is greater than 50 percent. 

1

The ―for students‖ category represents combined responses from the following questionnaire items: ―for students to use in specific classes‖ and ―for students 

to use the entire day.‖

2 Mean number of handhelds for administrators based on the 49 percent of public schools with handhelds for administrators. 

3 Ratio computed by dividing the FTE teachers in the 15 percent of public schools with handhelds for teachers by the number of handhelds for teachers. 

4 Ratio computed by dividing the number of students in the 4 percent of public schools with handhelds for students by the number of handhelds for students. 

5 Data for combined schools (those with both elementary and secondary grades) are included in the totals and in analyses by other school characteristics but 

are not shown separately. 

6Black includes African American and Hispanic includes Latino. 

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Response Survey System (FRSS), ―Educational Technology in 

U.S. Public Schools, Fall 2008,‖ FRSS 92, 2008; and Common Core of Data, ―Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey,‖ 2005–06.
7

Table 4. Percent of public schools providing various technology devices for instruction, and among those schools, the ratio of students to 

number of devices, by school characteristics: Fall 2008 

School characteristic

LCD and DLP 

projectors

Videoconference 

units

Interactive 

whiteboards

Classroom 

response systems1

Digital cameras 

(still and video)

MP3 

players/iPods

Document 

cameras

2

Percent 

of 

schools

Ratio of 

students 

to 

devices

Percent 

of 

schools

Ratio of 

students 

to 

devices

Percent 

of 

schools

Ratio of 

students 

to 

devices

Percent 

of 

schools

Ratio of 

students 

to 

devices

Percent 

of 

schools

Ratio of 

students 

to 

devices

Percent 

of 

schools

Ratio of 

students 

to 

devices

Percent 

of 

schools

Ratio of 

students 

to 

devices

All public schools .................................................... 97 32 22 308 73 65 38 144 93 74 13 69 52 59

Instructional level3

Elementary ................................................................ 97 34 16 248 71 59 36 120 92 71 12 56! 49 49

Secondary .................................................................. 98 29 39 409 82 80 44 206 96 80 16 102 60 88

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 95 24 26 128 65 35 26 72 91 43 11 50 40 38

300 to 999 .................................................................. 98 32 19 274 75 60 39 124 94 70 13 53! 53 52

1,000 or more ............................................................ 99 34 28 631! 86 100 56 237 95 104 19 152 71 91

Community type

City ............................................................................ 96 36 15 172! 73 81 36 188 91 68 11 85 53 56

Suburban ................................................................... 98 33 18 566 70 71 36 144 93 87 15 ‡ 56 57

Town ......................................................................... 98 29 25 514 77 54 48 133 97 71 16 86 48 75

Rural .......................................................................... 97 29 28 249 75 54 36 121 93 65 12 74 48 62

Region

Northeast ................................................................... 98 34 26 506 78 64 30 242 94 76 16 79 41 109

Southeast ................................................................... 98 29 20 407 86 55 54 105 93 80 15 ‡ 59 60

Central ....................................................................... 96 35 22 339 74 73 37 208 95 75 11 74 42 84

West .......................................................................... 96 31 20 196 61 74 31 137 91 67 12 96 62 45

Percent combined enrollment of Black, Hispanic, 

Asian/Pacific Islander, or American Indian/ 

Alaska Native students4

Less than 6 percent .................................................... 96 31 24 307 76 58 39 159 94 66 13 73 46 87

6 to 20 percent ........................................................... 98 29 23 316 77 66 42 181 96 75 16 87 54 67

21 to 49 percent ......................................................... 98 32 18 444 75 65 41 131 95 80 14 ‡ 59 59

50 percent or more ..................................................... 96 34 22 257 68 69 31 123 90 72 11 94 49 50

Percent of students eligible for free or reduced-price 

lunch

Less than 35 percent .................................................. 97 31 21 383 74 70 37 206 96 70 16 58! 53 69

35 to 49 percent ......................................................... 98 36 21 215! 75 74 39 130 96 92 11 77 49 70

50 to 74 percent ......................................................... 97 30 24 378 74 58 42 109 91 82 13 107 57 53

75 percent or more ..................................................... 96 33 20 226! 70 60 32 119 89 61! 10 77 46 46

! Interpret data with caution; the coefficient of variation is greater than 50 percent. 

‡ Reporting standards not met. 

1 Wireless systems allowing teachers to pose questions and students to respond using ―clickers‖ or hand-held response pads, with responses compiled on a computer. 

2 Devices that transmit images of 2- or 3-dimensional objects, text, or graphics to a computer monitor or LCD projector. 

3 Data for combined schools (those with both elementary and secondary grades) are included in the totals and in analyses by other school characteristics but are not shown separately. 

4Black includes African American and Hispanic includes Latino. 

NOTE: Ratio of students to devices computed by dividing the number of students in public schools that have the device by the number of devices.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Response Survey System (FRSS), ―Educational Technology in U.S. Public Schools, Fall 2008,‖ 

FRSS 92, 2008; and Common Core of Data, ―Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey,‖ 2005–06.
8

Table 5. Percentage distribution of public schools reporting the type of wireless network access in the school, and percent reporting the 

operating system(s) or platform(s) used on their instructional computers, by school characteristics: Fall 2008 

School characteristic

Type of wireless network access in the school Operating system(s) or platform(s) for instructional computers1

None

Wireless 

connections 

are only 

from 

laptops to 

carts2

Wireless 

access

in part of 

the school

Wireless 

access in 

the whole 

school

Windows 

3.1 or DOS

Windows 

95, 

98, or ME

Windows 

NT 

or 2000

Windows 

XP

Windows 

Vista

Mac OS 9 

or earlier

Mac OS 10

or higher

Other 

operating 

system

All public schools ................................22.................... 9 30 39 2 23 27 84 13 15 31 2

Instructional level3

Elementary ................................................................ 24 9 28 39 2 24 26 81 11 16 28 1

Secondary ................................................................ 15 ..12 36 37 2 19 29 96 20 13 36 4

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 18 8 32 41 2 26 25 80 18 11 27 3

300 to 999 ................................................................ 24 .. 9 28 39 2 23 27 84 12 16 30 2

1,000 or more ............................................................ 15 15 35 35 1 15 30 94 15 20 41 3

Community type

City ................................................................ 25 ............ 8 26 40 3 23 35 81 9 23 38 1

Suburban ................................................................ 22 ...12 29 37 2 20 27 82 9 15 31 1

Town ................................................................ 22 ......... 4 34 40 4 24 27 88 19 13 27 5

Rural ................................................................ 19 ..........10 33 39 1 24 23 88 18 12 27 3

Region

Northeast ................................................................ 19 ...14 25 42 # 12 22 80 5 17 35 1

Southeast ................................................................ 21 ... 9 36 34 2 33 33 88 18 9 21 2

Central ................................................................ 23 .......10 28 39 3 21 24 85 13 12 28 3

West ................................................................ 23 .......... 6 31 41 2 23 29 83 15 22 38 3

Percent combined enrollment 

of Black, Hispanic, Asian/

Pacific Islander, or 

American Indian/

Alaska Native students4

Less than 6 percent ................................20....................11 35 35 2! 26 19 88 16 12 23 3

6 to 20 percent ........................................................... 20 11 28 41 1! 18 27 86 11 15 34 3

21 to 49 percent ......................................................... 24 8 31 37 2 20 24 81 15 15 38 1!

50 percent or more ................................23..................... 8 28 41 3 26 35 83 11 18 29 2

Percent of students eligible for 

free or reduced-price lunch

Less than 35 percent ................................ 21..................10 29 40 1 15 22 83 11 16 38 2

35 to 49 percent ......................................................... 20 10 32 38 3 27 26 87 15 13 26 5

50 to 74 percent ......................................................... 23 8 32 36 2 23 28 83 15 16 29 2

75 percent or more ................................22..................... 9 27 41 3 30 36 85 14 15 24 1!

# Rounds to zero. 

! Interpret data with caution; the coefficient of variation is greater than 50 percent. 

1 A school may report more than one operating system. 

2 The wording for this response option in the questionnaire was ―the only wireless connections are from laptops to a cart, with the cart connected to a wall port.‖

3 Data for combined schools (those with both elementary and secondary grades) are included in the totals and in analyses by other school characteristics but are not shown separately. 

4Black includes African American and Hispanic includes Latino. 

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Response Survey System (FRSS), ―Educational Technology in U.S. Public Schools, Fall 2008,‖ 

FRSS 92, 2008; and Common Core of Data, ―Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey,‖ 2005–06.
9 

Table 6. Percent of public schools using their district network or Internet access to provide various opportunities 

and information for teaching and learning, by school characteristics: Fall 2008 

School characteristic

Two-way 

conferencing

(e.g., videoconferencing)

Telecommunications 

(voice over 

IP)

Online 

student 

assessment 

provided by 

school or 

district

Access for 

students to 

online 

distance 

learning

Standardized 

assessment 

results and 

data for 

teachers to 

individualize 

instruction

Data to 

inform 

instructional 

planning at 

the school

Online 

professional 

development 

provided by 

school or 

district

High-quality 

digital 

content1

All public schools .................................................... 30 23 72 42 87 85 59 65

Instructional level2

Elementary ................................................................ 25 . 21 72 34 88 86 60 64

Secondary ................................................................ 45... 28 71 65 83 82 57 68

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 32 18 69 49 87 82 53 54

300 to 999 ................................................................ 28 .. 22 72 37 87 85 60 67

1,000 or more ............................................................. 36 37 74 61 85 88 69 74

Community type

City ............................................................................ 24 18 73 35 91 88 61 61

Suburban ................................................................ 28.... 26 72 37 86 84 58 69

Town .......................................................................... 29 26 71 44 85 84 60 64

Rural .......................................................................... 36 21 72 52 85 83 58 63

Region

Northeast ................................................................ 36.... 23 65 34 83 83 51 65

Southeast ................................................................ 30.... 21 77 46 91 88 71 69

Central ........................................................................ 29 21 72 44 82 81 56 61

West ........................................................................... 28 25 73 43 90 87 57 64

Percent combined enrollment of 

Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific 

Islander, or American 

Indian/Alaska Native students3

Less than 6 percent ..................................................... 31 17 70 45 84 78 58 65

6 to 20 percent ............................................................ 34 30 70 44 86 86 56 71

21 to 49 percent .......................................................... 26 20 77 42 86 84 60 68

50 percent or more ..................................................... 30 23 71 40 89 89 61 58

Percent of students eligible for free or 

reduced-price lunch

Less than 35 percent ................................................... 31 25 67 42 83 83 58 70

35 to 49 percent .......................................................... 30 17 74 45 90 85 55 67

50 to 74 percent .......................................................... 31 23 78 44 88 86 63 67

75 percent or more ..................................................... 27 21 72 39 89 86 59 52

1Web-based learning materials or any text, images, sounds, and video that have been digitized. 

2 Data for combined schools (those with both elementary and secondary grades) are included in the totals and in analyses by other school characteristics but 

are not shown separately. 

3Black includes African American and Hispanic includes Latino. 

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Response Survey System (FRSS), ―Educational Technology in 

U.S. Public Schools, Fall 2008,‖ FRSS 92, 2008; and Common Core of Data, ―Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey,‖ 2005–06. 
10

Table 7. Percent of public schools with staff in the school full time whose only responsibility is technology support 

and/or technology integration into instruction, and percentage distribution of public schools reporting 

how long it takes to obtain various types of technology support, by school characteristics: Fall 2008 

School characteristic

Have fulltime staff 

responsible 

for 

technology 

support 

and/or 

integration

Time it takes to get:

Computer repaired

Help with software problem 

or question

Network services restored 

when network goes down

Curricular support for 

teachers who need help 

with integrating technology 

into curriculum

Less 

than 

1 

hour

1 to 8 

hours

2 to 5 

days

1

week 

or 

more

1

Less 

than 

1 

hour

1 to 8 

hours

2 to 5 

days

1

week 

or 

more

1

Less 

than 

1 

hour

1 to 8 

hours

2 to 5 

days

1

week 

or 

more

1

Less 

than 

1 

hour

1 to 8 

hours

2 to 5 

days

1

week 

or 

more

1

All public schools ................................ 31 .................... 3 24 45 28 17 51 23 8 22 68 9 2 9 35 35 21

Instructional level2

Elementary ................................................................ 27 2 22 . 45 31 17 51 23 9 20 69 9 2 10 35 33 22

Secondary ................................................................ 47 4 30 ... 45 21 19 52 24 5 29 63 6 2 8 34 40 18

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ................................ 25............................. 2 23 46 29 17 49 24 10 22 63 12 2 7 30 37 25

300 to 999 ................................................................ 30 3 23 .. 45 29 17 52 23 8 21 70 8 2 10 37 33 20

1,000 or more ................................ 54............................. 6 27 45 22 21 54 21 5 30 64 5 1 8 37 40 15

Community type

City ................................................................ 27 2 ............ 17 40 40 20 43 27 10 14 70 14 2 10 36 31 22

Suburban ................................................................ 31 3 21.... 49 26 18 52 23 7 23 68 7 2 9 34 35 22

Town ................................................................ 38 1! .......... 33 43 23 15 54 25 7 28 65 6 ‡ 11 33 39 18

Rural ................................................................ 31 3 .......... 26 45 25 17 55 19 9 23 66 8 2 8 36 36 20

Region

Northeast ................................................................ 37 4 24.... 48 24 20 51 22 8 25 66 8 1! 11 32 37 20

Southeast ................................................................ 28 2 20.... 44 34 11 53 24 13 19 64 13 4 12 38 29 21

Central ................................................................ 33 4 27........ 46 23 19 52 23 6 27 63 8 2 7 35 37 21

West ................................................................ 28 3 ........... 22 43 32 19 49 24 8 17 75 7 1 8 35 36 22

Percent combined 

enrollment of Black, 

Hispanic, Asian/

Pacific Islander, or 

American Indian/

Alaska Native 

students3

Less than 6 percent ................................ 34 ..................... 3 32 45 20 19 58 16 7 28 64 6 1! 9 36 37 18

6 to 20 percent ................................ 32............................ 3 29 47 21 16 55 21 7 30 63 6 1! 10 33 38 19

21 to 49 percent ................................ 30 .......................... 3 24 46 27 17 52 23 8 18 74 6 1! 9 35 35 20

50 percent or more ................................ 30 ..................... 2 15 43 40 17 43 29 10 15 68 14 3 9 35 31 25

Percent of students 

eligible for free or 

reduced-price lunch

Less than 35 percent ................................ 35 ................... 3 30 46 21 19 56 20 5 27 66 6 1 10 37 36 17

35 to 49 percent ................................ 32 .......................... 5 25 42 29 16 52 22 10 26 65 7 2 8 35 36 21

50 to 74 percent ................................ 28 .......................... 2 22 47 29 15 51 24 9 22 70 7 1! 8 34 37 20

75 percent or more ................................ 28 ..................... 2 14 43 41 18 42 28 12 11 69 16 3 9 33 29 29

! Interpret data with caution; the coefficient of variation is greater than 50 percent. 

‡ Reporting standards not met.

1 One week or more represents combined responses from the following questionnaire items: 1 to 3 weeks and a month or more. 

2 Data for combined schools (those with both elementary and secondary grades) are included in the totals and in analyses by other school characteristics but 

are not shown separately. 

3Black includes African American and Hispanic includes Latino. 

NOTE: Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding. 

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Response Survey System (FRSS), ―Educational Technology in 

U.S. Public Schools, Fall 2008,‖ FRSS 92, 2008; and Common Core of Data, ―Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey,‖ 2005–06. 
11

Table 8. Percentage distribution of public schools reporting the extent to which people in various roles help 

school staff integrate technology into instruction, by school characteristics: Fall 2008 

School characteristic

District-level technology staff School-level technology staff School-level administrators

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

All public schools ................................ 11 .................... 31 34 24 15 22 34 29 12 39 35 14

Instructional level1

Elementary ................................................................ 11 31 . 34 24 16 21 34 29 11 39 35 15

Secondary ................................................................ 8 31 ... 36 25 12 23 35 30 13 41 33 13

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 16 29 34 21 20 23 36 21 13 34 38 15

300 to 999 ................................................................ 10 31 .. 35 25 14 22 33 31 11 41 34 14

1,000 or more ............................................................. 6 34 33 26 9 18 35 38 11 41 34 15

Community type

City ................................................................ 13 ............ 34 34 19 12 26 32 30 14 41 31 14

Suburban ................................................................ 10 32 .... 31 27 16 19 35 30 12 40 32 16

Town ................................................................ 9 30.......... 29 32 17 17 32 35 9 39 35 17

Rural ................................................................ 11 28.......... 40 21 15 23 36 26 11 38 40 12

Region

Northeast ................................................................ 11 30 .... 32 27 19 17 35 29 11 42 34 13

Southeast ................................................................ 4 34 .... 39 24 10 19 33 37 8 37 35 20

Central ................................................................ 13 30........ 35 21 17 24 39 20 15 38 34 13

West ................................................................ 14 29........... 32 25 14 24 30 32 12 41 35 12

Percent combined enrollment 

of Black, Hispanic, 

Asian/ Pacific Islander, 

or American Indian/

Alaska Native students2

Less than 6 percent ................................ 11 ..................... 25 40 24 18 18 37 27 11 38 35 16

6 to 20 percent ............................................................ 8 34 33 25 17 19 34 29 10 42 36 12

21 to 49 percent ................................9.......................... 31 37 23 14 24 31 31 14 40 34 11

50 percent or more ................................ 14 ..................... 32 30 24 12 25 34 30 12 38 34 17

Percent of students eligible 

for free or reduced-price 

lunch

Less than 35 percent ................................ 10 ................... 29 36 25 14 18 36 32 11 42 33 14

35 to 49 percent ................................9.......................... 31 36 24 15 23 32 30 12 38 35 15

50 to 74 percent ................................ 11.......................... 28 35 25 18 20 33 29 12 36 38 13

75 percent or more ................................ 14 ..................... 36 30 20 12 29 34 25 13 39 33 14

See notes at end of table. 
12

Table 8. Percentage distribution of public schools reporting the extent to which people in various roles help 

school staff integrate technology into instruction, by school characteristics: Fall 2008—Continued 

School characteristic

Teachers Library media specialists Vendor(s)

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

All public schools ................................ 2 .................... 30 47 20 20 31 31 18 55 34 10 2

Instructional level1

Elementary ................................................................ 3 31 . 47 20 21 32 30 17 57 33 9 1

Secondary ................................................................ 2 28 ... 49 21 15 29 34 22 47 39 11 3

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 3 31 47 20 30 32 25 13 58 30 10 2

300 to 999 ................................................................ 2 31 .. 47 20 18 31 33 18 55 34 10 2

1,000 or more ............................................................. 1 28 49 22 8 31 34 26 45 42 10 2

Community type

City ................................................................ 3 ............ 32 49 16 24 24 35 17 54 34 10 1

Suburban ................................................................ 3 29 .... 46 23 18 32 29 21 58 32 8 1

Town ................................................................ 2 29.......... 45 24 21 29 29 22 45 44 8 3

Rural ................................................................ 2 31.......... 49 19 18 36 32 14 55 32 12 2

Region

Northeast ................................................................ 3 29 .... 50 18 20 32 34 14 57 36 6 2!

Southeast ................................................................ 2 28 .... 44 25 8 29 38 26 46 37 14 3

Central ................................................................ 2! 29........ 52 17 23 28 29 20 58 33 7 1

West ................................................................ 2 34........... 44 20 26 35 27 13 56 31 11 1

Percent combined enrollment 

of Black, Hispanic, 

Asian/Pacific Islander, or 

American Indian/

Alaska Native students2

Less than 6 percent ................................ 2 ..................... 30 53 16 18 37 27 17 54 34 11 2

6 to 20 percent ............................................................ 2 25 49 24 18 27 35 20 54 38 6 2

21 to 49 percent ................................3.......................... 35 43 20 19 34 28 19 59 31 9 1

50 percent or more ................................ 3 ..................... 32 45 20 23 28 33 16 52 34 12 2

Percent of students eligible 

for free or reduced-price 

lunch

Less than 35 percent ................................ 2 ................... 27 51 19 17 30 32 20 57 35 6 1

35 to 49 percent ................................2!.......................... 31 47 20 15 31 35 18 56 31 12 2

50 to 74 percent ................................3.......................... 32 42 23 22 33 27 18 51 37 10 2

75 percent or more ................................ 3 ..................... 34 46 18 25 31 31 13 53 32 14 2

See notes at end of table. 
13

Table 8. Percentage distribution of public schools reporting the extent to which people in various roles help 

school staff integrate technology into instruction, by school characteristics: Fall 2008—Continued 

School characteristic

Students Parents or non-staff volunteers

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

All public schools .................................................... 44 39 14 3 71 25 3 #

Instructional level1

Elementary ................................................................. 49 36 13 3 72 25 4 ‡

Secondary ................................................................... 29 52 16 3 71 28 1 #

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 42 35 20 2 69 28 4 ‡

300 to 999 .................................................................. 46 40 11 3 72 24 3 ‡

1,000 or more ............................................................. 36 46 16 2 73 25 2 1!

Community type

City ............................................................................ 47 35 15 4 72 21 6 1!

Suburban .................................................................... 46 42 9 3 71 27 3 ‡

Town .......................................................................... 41 43 12 4 74 24 2! ‡

Rural .......................................................................... 41 39 19 1 71 27 3 ‡

Region

Northeast .................................................................... 48 39 11 2 75 23 2 ‡

Southeast .................................................................... 42 39 15 3 70 28 2 ‡

Central ........................................................................ 37 46 16 2 75 22 3 #

West ........................................................................... 49 34 13 4 67 27 5 #

Percent combined 

enrollment of Black, 

Hispanic, Asian/Pacific 

Islander, or American 

Indian/Alaska Native 

students2

Less than 6 percent ..................................................... 39 44 15 2 70 27 3 ‡

6 to 20 percent ............................................................ 35 47 16 2 68 30 3 ‡

21 to 49 percent .......................................................... 50 35 12 3 74 23 3 ‡

50 percent or more ..................................................... 49 34 13 4 73 23 5 ‡

Percent of students eligible 

for free or reduced-price 

lunch

Less than 35 percent ................................................... 40 43 15 2 65 33 2 1!

35 to 49 percent .......................................................... 44 38 16 1! 70 23 6 ‡

50 to 74 percent .......................................................... 44 41 12 4 75 23 2 ‡

75 percent or more ..................................................... 51 33 13 3 79 16 5 ‡

# Rounds to zero. 

! Interpret data with caution; the coefficient of variation is greater than 50 percent. 

‡ Reporting standards not met.

1

 Data for combined schools (those with both elementary and secondary grades) are included in the totals and in analyses by other school characteristics but 

are not shown separately. 

2Black includes African American and Hispanic includes Latino. 

NOTE: Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding. 

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Response Survey System (FRSS), ―Educational Technology in 

U.S. Public Schools, Fall 2008,‖ FRSS 92, 2008; and Common Core of Data, ―Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey,‖ 2005–06. 
14

Table 9. Percentage distribution of public schools reporting the extent to which people in various roles provide 

technical support for educational technology in the school, by school characteristics: Fall 2008 

School characteristic

District-level technology staff School-level technology staff School-level administrators

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

All public schools ................................ 4 .................... 10 27 59 14 15 30 42 32 39 21 8

Instructional level1

Elementary ................................................................ 4 11 . 27 58 14 15 31 39 31 39 22 8

Secondary ................................................................ 5 11 ... 23 62 12 14 27 48 33 41 19 8

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 9 11 25 56 17 15 35 33 27 38 25 10

300 to 999 ................................................................ 3 10 .. 27 61 13 15 30 42 33 38 21 7

1,000 or more ............................................................. 2 13 32 53 8 14 20 58 32 45 15 7

Community type

City ................................................................ 5 14............ 37 43 10 14 37 39 33 38 22 8

Suburban ................................................................ 2 11 .... 23 64 15 13 25 46 34 38 20 8

Town ................................................................ 4 6.......... 24 66 17 14 30 39 27 45 19 9

Rural ................................................................ 6 9.......... 25 60 13 17 31 39 31 38 24 7

Region

Northeast ................................................................ 6 9 .... 25 61 16 15 23 47 39 35 20 5

Southeast ................................................................ 1 12 .... 31 55 11 12 33 44 28 38 25 10

Central ................................................................ 5 9 ........ 22 63 17 15 31 37 32 41 19 8

West ................................................................ 4 11........... 29 56 11 17 32 40 30 40 22 8

Percent combined 

enrollment of Black, 

Hispanic, Asian/Pacific 

Islander, or American 

Indian/Alaska Native 

students2

Less than 6 percent ................................ 5 ..................... 8 18 68 18 11 30 41 29 40 22 10

6 to 20 percent ................................4............................ 10 26 59 15 16 28 41 34 39 21 6

21 to 49 percent ................................3.......................... 8 24 65 12 16 26 46 36 42 16 6

50 percent or more ................................ 4 ..................... 14 34 48 11 16 34 39 29 36 25 10

Percent of students eligible 

for free or reducedprice lunch

Less than 35 percent ................................ 4 ................... 8 24 63 14 12 26 47 33 41 18 8

35 to 49 percent ................................4.......................... 11 25 60 11 16 31 42 35 34 25 7

50 to 74 percent ................................2.......................... 10 24 64 17 16 28 40 30 42 21 7

75 percent or more ................................ 5 ..................... 13 37 45 11 17 39 33 30 35 26 9

See notes at end of table. 
15

Table 9. Percentage distribution of public schools reporting the extent to which people in various roles provide 

technical support for educational technology in the school, by school characteristics: Fall 2008—

Continued 

School characteristic

Teachers Library media specialists Vendor(s)

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

All public schools ................................ 16 .................... 53 25 6 31 36 22 11 57 31 10 2

Instructional level1

Elementary ................................................................ 16 53 . 25 6 32 36 21 11 61 28 9 1

Secondary ................................................................ 16 52 ... 25 7 28 35 25 13 48 37 11 4

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ................................15............................. 49 29 7 38 33 18 11 58 30 9 3

300 to 999 ................................................................ 17 54 .. 24 5 30 36 23 11 59 29 10 2

1,000 or more ................................15............................. 56 24 6 21 39 25 15 46 42 10 3

Community type

City ................................................................ 16 52............ 26 6 31 31 28 10 60 28 11 2!

Suburban ................................................................ 15 57 .... 23 5 33 35 19 13 60 30 9 1

Town ................................................................ 16 51.......... 27 6 29 35 22 14 50 36 12 2!

Rural ................................................................ 17 49.......... 27 6 31 39 20 10 57 31 9 3

Region

Northeast ................................................................ 18 55 .... 21 5 36 40 17 7 62 29 7 2

Southeast ................................................................ 15 48 .... 30 8 13 36 31 20 51 34 12 3

Central ................................................................ 17 53 ........ 25 4 33 35 20 12 58 31 9 2

West ................................................................ 15 54........... 24 6 40 33 20 7 59 29 11 1

Percent combined 

enrollment of Black, 

Hispanic, Asian/Pacific 

Islander, or American 

Indian/Alaska Native 

students2

Less than 6 percent ................................ 18 ..................... 53 23 5 31 40 18 11 57 31 9 2

6 to 20 percent ................................13............................ 52 30 5 27 37 22 14 59 32 7 2

21 to 49 percent ................................ 19.......................... 55 21 5 29 38 21 11 58 31 8 3

50 percent or more ................................ 15 ..................... 51 27 7 35 31 24 10 56 29 13 2

Percent of students eligible 

for free or reduced-price 

lunch

Less than 35 percent ................................ 16 ................... 56 23 5 31 36 21 12 62 29 6 3

35 to 49 percent ................................ 17.......................... 56 22 5 26 36 22 16 55 31 12 2

50 to 74 percent ................................ 16.......................... 51 28 5 32 38 18 12 55 34 9 2

75 percent or more ................................ 15 ..................... 48 28 8 34 32 27 7 54 30 15 2!

See notes at end of table. 
16

Table 9. Percentage distribution of public schools reporting the extent to which people in various roles provide 

technical support for educational technology in the school, by school characteristics: Fall 2008—

Continued 

School characteristic

Students Parents or non-staff volunteers Other

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

All public schools ................................ 64 .................... 28 7 1 83 14 2 1 98 1 1 1

Instructional level1

Elementary ................................................................ 69 24 . 5 1 84 14 2 1 98 # # 1

Secondary ................................................................ 46 43 ... 9 2 82 16 2 1! 96 2 1 1

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ................................57............................. 34 9 1! 78 20 1! ‡ 97 1! 2! 1!

300 to 999 ................................................................ 68 25 .. 5 1 85 12 2 1 98 1 # 1

1,000 or more ................................54............................. 34 11 2! 86 12 1 ‡ 97 1! 1 1!

Community type

City ................................................................ 67 23............ 9 1! 84 13 3 1! 99 ‡ 1! ‡

Suburban ................................................................ 68 27 .... 4 1 86 12 # 1! 99 # # 1

Town ................................................................ 60 33.......... 5 2 85 13 1! ‡ 99 ‡ ‡ ‡

Rural ................................................................ 60 31.......... 8 1 80 18 2 # 96 2 1! 1

Region

Northeast ................................................................ 73 20 .... 5 1! 87 11 1! ‡ 98 ‡ 1! 2

Southeast ................................................................ 62 29 .... 7 2 81 16 2 1! 98 1! # 1

Central ................................................................ 58 35 ........ 6 1! 85 14 1 ‡ 98 # 1! 1!

West ................................................................ 65 26........... 8 2 82 15 2 1 98 1 1! ‡

Percent combined 

enrollment of Black, 

Hispanic, Asian/Pacific 

Islander, or American 

Indian/Alaska Native 

students2

Less than 6 percent ................................ 58 ..................... 34 6 1! 80 18 1 ‡ 97 1! # 1!

6 to 20 percent ................................59............................ 33 7 # 83 15 1 1! 98 1! ‡ 1

21 to 49 percent ................................ 69.......................... 24 5 1 89 10 1! ‡ 97 1! 2! ‡

50 percent or more ................................ 67 ..................... 23 7 2 82 14 3 1! 98 1! # 1!

Percent of students eligible 

for free or reduced-price 

lunch

Less than 35 percent ................................ 62 ................... 31 6 1 83 16 1 # 98 # # 1

35 to 49 percent ................................ 63.......................... 30 7 # 78 17 3 2! 97 1! 2! ‡

50 to 74 percent ................................ 65.......................... 27 6 2 87 12 1! ‡ 97 1! 1! 1!

75 percent or more ................................ 68 ..................... 24 7 1! 84 12 3 1! 98 1! ‡ 1!

# Rounds to zero. 

! Interpret data with caution; the coefficient of variation is greater than 50 percent. 

‡ Reporting standards not met. 

1 Data for combined schools (those with both elementary and secondary grades) are included in the totals and in analyses by other school characteristics but 

are not shown separately. 

2Black includes African American and Hispanic includes Latino. 

NOTE: Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding. 

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Response Survey System (FRSS), ―Educational Technology in U.S. 

Public Schools, Fall 2008,‖ FRSS 92, 2008; and Common Core of Data, ―Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey,‖ 2005–06. 
17

Table 10. Percentage distribution of public schools reporting agreement or disagreement with various statements on using educational 

technology in the instructional program in the school, by school characteristics: Fall 2008 

School characteristic

Teachers are sufficiently 

trained 

in technology usage

Teachers are sufficiently 

trained to integrate 

technology into 

classroom instruction

Teachers are interested 

in using technology in 

classroom instruction

Teachers construct lessons 

in which students 

use a range of 

educational technologies

Technology is 

a priority of 

the district administration

Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Agree

All public schools .................................................... 30 70 36 64 7 93 31 69 18 82

Instructional level1

Elementary ................................................................ 30 70 37 63 7 93 33 67 18 82

Secondary ................................................................ 28 .. 72 34 66 7 93 26 74 18 82

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 33 67 37 63 10 90 31 69 16 84

300 to 999 ................................................................ 29 .. 71 37 63 7 93 33 67 19 81

1,000 or more ............................................................ 28 72 32 68 6 94 24 76 17 83

Community type

City ............................................................................ 36 64 42 58 7 93 39 61 27 73

Suburban ................................................................ 30 ... 70 35 65 8 92 29 71 17 83

Town ......................................................................... 19 81 31 69 6 94 29 71 14 86

Rural .......................................................................... 30 70 36 64 8 92 29 71 15 85

Region

Northeast ................................................................ 29 ... 71 35 65 4 96 26 74 15 85

Southeast ................................................................ 24 ... 76 26 74 7 93 28 72 15 85

Central ................................................................33....... 67 42 58 9 91 34 66 18 82

West .......................................................................... 32 68 39 61 8 92 35 65 22 78

Percent combined enrollment of 

Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific 

Islander, or American Indian/ 

Alaska Native students2

Less than 6 percent .................................................... 28 72 34 66 7 93 28 72 12 88

6 to 20 percent ........................................................... 29 71 37 63 5 95 26 74 15 85

21 to 49 percent ......................................................... 29 71 35 65 8 92 37 63 19 81

50 percent or more ..................................................... 32 68 37 63 9 91 33 67 23 77

Percent of students eligible for free 

or reduced-price lunch

Less than 35 percent .................................................. 26 74 33 67 6 94 25 75 15 85

35 to 49 percent ......................................................... 30 70 36 64 7 93 31 69 15 85

50 to 74 percent ......................................................... 29 71 33 67 7 93 35 65 17 83

75 percent or more ..................................................... 38 62 44 56 10 90 38 62 27 73

See notes at end of table. 
18

Table 10. Percentage distribution of public schools reporting agreement or disagreement with various statements on using educational 

technology in the instructional program in the school, by school characteristics: Fall 2008—Continued 

School characteristic

Technology 

infrastructure

is adequate

Technical support for 

educational 

technology is adequate

Funding for 

educational technology 

is adequate

Funding for educational 

technology is being spent 

in the most appropriate ways

Use of educational 

technology is adversely 

affected by competing 

priorities in the classroom

Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Agree

All public schools .................................................... 23 77 31 69 60 40 25 75 32 68

Instructional level1

Elementary ................................................................ 23 77 31 69 60 40 26 74 31 69

Secondary ................................................................ 26 .. 74 32 68 60 40 21 79 34 66

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 22 78 34 66 60 40 22 78 37 63

300 to 999 ................................................................ 24 .. 76 30 70 59 41 26 74 29 71

1,000 or more ............................................................ 23 77 31 69 63 37 28 72 35 65

Community type

City ............................................................................ 33 67 38 62 67 33 35 65 30 70

Suburban ................................................................ 22 ... 78 31 69 59 41 27 73 31 69

Town ......................................................................... 20 80 22 78 56 44 14 86 36 64

Rural .......................................................................... 20 80 30 70 57 43 21 79 31 69

Region

Northeast ................................................................ 24 ... 76 26 74 54 46 24 76 34 66

Southeast ................................................................ 23 ... 77 31 69 56 44 25 75 32 68

Central ................................................................25....... 75 35 65 60 40 22 78 34 66

West .......................................................................... 22 78 30 70 65 35 28 72 28 72

Percent combined enrollment of 

Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific 

Islander, or American Indian/ 

Alaska Native students2

Less than 6 percent .................................................... 21 79 26 74 54 46 16 84 37 63

6 to 20 percent ........................................................... 19 81 31 69 57 43 21 79 37 63

21 to 49 percent ......................................................... 23 77 28 72 62 38 27 73 24 76

50 percent or more ..................................................... 28 72 37 63 63 37 32 68 30 70

Percent of students eligible for free 

or reduced-price lunch

Less than 35 percent .................................................. 21 79 26 74 56 44 21 79 36 64

35 to 49 percent ......................................................... 22 78 32 68 64 36 27 73 33 67

50 to 74 percent ......................................................... 23 77 30 70 60 40 24 76 30 70

75 percent or more ..................................................... 29 71 40 60 62 38 31 69 26 74

1 Data for combined schools (those with both elementary and secondary grades) are included in the totals and in analyses by other school characteristics but are not shown separately. 

2Black includes African American and Hispanic includes Latino. 

NOTE: The response options in the questionnaire were strongly disagree, somewhat disagree, somewhat agree, and strongly agree. Responses to the ―strongly‖ and ―somewhat‖ categories 

were combined in the table. Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding. 

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Response Survey System (FRSS), ―Educational Technology in U.S. Public Schools, Fall 2008,‖ 

FRSS 92, 2008; and Common Core of Data, ―Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey,‖ 2005–06.
19

Related Reports 

Bare, J., and Meek, A. (1998). Internet Access in Public Schools (NCES 98–031). National Center for 

Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC. 

Cattagni, A., and Farris, E. (2001). Internet Access in U.S. Public Schools and Classrooms: 1994–2000 (NCES 

2001–071). National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC. 

Heaviside, S., Farris, E., and Malitz, G. (1995). Advanced Telecommunications in U.S. Public Schools, K–12 

(NCES 95–731). National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education. Washington, 

DC. 

Heaviside, S., Farris, E., and Malitz, G. (1996). Advanced Telecommunications in U.S. Public Elementary and 

Secondary Schools, 1995 (NCES 96–854). National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of 

Education. Washington, DC. 

Heaviside, S., Riggins, T., and Farris, E. (1997). Advanced Telecommunications in U.S. Public Elementary and 

Secondary Schools, Fall 1996 (NCES 97–944). National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. 

Department of Education. Washington, DC. 

Kleiner, A., and Farris, E. (2002). Internet Access in U.S. Public Schools and Classrooms: 1994–2001 (NCES 

2002–018). National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC. 

Kleiner, A., and Lewis, L. (2003). Internet Access in U.S. Public Schools and Classrooms: 1994–2002 (NCES 

2004–011). National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department 

of Education. Washington, DC. 

Lanahan, L. (2002). Beyond School-Level Internet Access: Support for Instructional Use of Technology (NCES 

2002–029). National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC. 

Parsad, B., and Jones, J. (2005). Internet Access in U.S. Public Schools and Classrooms: 1994–2003 (NCES 

2005–015). National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department 

of Education. Washington, DC. 

Rowand, C. (1999). Internet Access in Public Schools and Classrooms: 1994–98 (NCES 1999–017). National 

Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC. 

Smerdon, B., Cronen, S., Lanahan, L., Anderson, J., Iannotti, N., and Angeles, J. (2000). Teachers’ Tools for 

the 21st Century: A Report on Teachers’ Use of Technology (NCES 2000–102). National Center for 

Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC. 

Wells, J., and Lewis, L. (2006). Internet Access in U.S. Public Schools and Classrooms: 1994–2005 (NCES 

2007-020). National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department 

of Education. Washington, DC. 

Williams, C. (2000). Internet Access in Public Schools and Classrooms: 1994–99 (NCES 2000–086). National 

Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC. 
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A-1 

Appendix A 

Standard Error Tables 
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A-3

Table 1a. Standard errors for the percent of public schools that have instructional computers with various characteristics, ratio of 

students to instructional computers with Internet access, and ratio of instructional computers in classrooms to number of 

classrooms, by school characteristics: Fall 2008 

School characteristic

Instructional computers 

with Internet access

Instructional computers in classrooms

(excluding laptops on carts)

Percent of schools 

that have laptop 

computers on carts

Percent of schools 

that have computers 

available for students 

to take home

Percent 

of schools that have 

instructional 

computers with 

Internet access 

Ratio of students to 

instructional 

computers with 

Internet access

Percent 

of schools that have 

instructional 

computers in 

classrooms 

Ratio of instructional 

computers in 

classrooms to 

number of 

classrooms

All public schools .................................................... † 0.04 0.5 0.05 1.3 0.5

Instructional level

Elementary ................................................................ † 0.05 0.6 0.07 1.8 0.6

Secondary .................................................................. † 0.05 1.0 0.07 1.9 1.4

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. † 0.07 1.7 0.13 3.5 1.5

300 to 999 .................................................................. † 0.05 0.5 0.06 1.8 0.6

1,000 or more ............................................................ † 0.06 0.6 0.10 2.7 1.1

Community type

City ............................................................................ † 0.12 1.0 0.13 3.5 1.4

Suburban ................................................................... † 0.08 1.1 0.11 2.4 0.9

Town ......................................................................... † 0.09 0.5 0.15 4.1 1.8

Rural .......................................................................... † 0.07 1.0 0.08 2.7 1.2

Region

Northeast ................................................................... † 0.08 0.6 0.13 2.9 1.5

Southeast ................................................................... † 0.08 1.1 0.11 3.2 1.0

Central ....................................................................... † 0.07 1.2 0.08 2.8 1.2

West .......................................................................... † 0.10 0.9 0.11 2.7 1.0

Percent combined enrollment of Black, Hispanic, 

Asian/Pacific Islander, or American Indian/Alaska 

Native students

Less than 6 percent .................................................... † 0.07 1.2 0.10 3.1 1.3

6 to 20 percent ........................................................... † 0.07 0.6 0.11 2.8 1.3

21 to 49 percent ......................................................... † 0.08 1.1 0.12 2.5 1.1

50 percent or more ..................................................... † 0.10 1.0 0.10 2.4 1.2

Percent of students eligible for free or reduced-price 

lunch

Less than 35 percent .................................................. † 0.06 0.9 0.09 2.2 0.8

35 to 49 percent ......................................................... † 0.08 1.7 0.12 3.6 1.4

50 to 74 percent ......................................................... † 0.08 0.7 0.14 2.6 1.5

75 percent or more ..................................................... † 0.14 1.4 0.16 3.3 1.2

† Not applicable.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Response Survey System (FRSS), ―Educational Technology in U.S. Public Schools, Fall 2008,‖ 

FRSS 92, 2008; and Common Core of Data, ―Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey,‖ 2005–06. 
A-4

Table 2a. Standard errors for percent of the computers in public schools that are used for instruction, percent of instructional 

computers with various characteristics, and percentage distribution of the mobility and location of instructional computers, 

by school characteristics: Fall 2008 

School characteristic

Percent of 

computers 

that are used 

for 

instruction

Percent of 

instructional computers that:

Percentage distribution of instructional computers 

by mobility and location

Laptop 

computers 

on carts

Not laptop computers on carts

Are desktops

Are less than 

1 year old

Have Internet 

access

In 

classrooms

In computer 

labs

In library/

media centers

Other 

location

All public schools .................................................... 0.2 0.7 0.7 0.2 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.2

Instructional level

Elementary ................................................................ 0.3 1.1 1.0 0.3 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.2 0.3

Secondary .................................................................. 0.4 1.3 1.1 0.2 0.9 1.0 0.9 0.2 0.2

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 0.7 1.7 1.3 0.7 1.4 1.7 1.4 0.6 0.5

300 to 999 .................................................................. 0.3 1.1 1.0 0.3 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.2 0.3

1,000 or more ............................................................ 0.4 1.6 1.3 0.4 1.3 1.4 1.1 0.3 0.2

Community type

City ............................................................................ 0.5 2.0 1.9 0.5 1.0 1.4 1.1 0.4 0.7

Suburban ................................................................... 0.4 1.3 1.0 0.3 0.7 1.2 1.0 0.2 0.3

Town ......................................................................... 0.5 2.6 2.4 0.7 2.4 1.8 1.6 0.5 †

Rural .......................................................................... 0.4 1.2 1.4 0.4 1.0 1.2 0.9 0.3 0.4

Region

Northeast ................................................................... 0.5 2.0 1.6 0.4 1.4 1.6 0.9 0.3 0.7

Southeast ................................................................... 0.4 1.7 1.6 0.4 1.2 1.3 0.9 0.3 0.2

Central ....................................................................... 0.5 1.0 1.1 0.4 0.8 0.9 1.0 0.4 0.3

West .......................................................................... 0.4 1.2 1.5 0.5 0.7 1.0 0.8 0.3 0.4

Percent combined enrollment of Black, Hispanic, 

Asian/Pacific Islander, or American Indian/

Alaska Native students

Less than 6 percent .................................................... 0.4 1.5 1.1 0.5 0.9 1.3 1.4 0.5 0.3

6 to 20 percent ........................................................... 0.5 1.6 1.0 0.3 1.1 1.3 0.9 0.3 0.2

21 to 49 percent ......................................................... 0.4 1.7 1.1 0.3 0.9 1.5 0.9 0.3 0.4

50 percent or more ..................................................... 0.3 1.7 1.5 0.5 1.2 1.0 0.7 0.3 0.4

Percent of students eligible for free or reduced-price 

lunch

Less than 35 percent .................................................. 0.4 1.1 1.0 0.3 0.8 1.0 1.0 0.3 0.3

35 to 49 percent ......................................................... 0.7 1.5 1.7 0.5 1.1 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.5

50 to 74 percent ......................................................... 0.3 1.9 1.5 0.4 1.0 1.5 1.0 0.3 0.3

75 percent or more ..................................................... 0.6 2.2 2.0 0.7 1.3 1.2 1.1 0.3 0.7

† Not applicable.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Response Survey System (FRSS), ―Educational Technology in U.S. Public Schools, Fall 2008,‖ 

FRSS 92, 2008; and Common Core of Data, ―Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey,‖ 2005–06. 
A-5 

Table 3a. Standard errors for the percent of public schools providing handheld computing devices (e.g., Palm 

OS, Windows CE, Pocket PC, BlackBerry) to administrators, teachers, or students, and among those 

schools, the mean number of handhelds for administrators, the ratio of full-time-equivalent (FTE) 

teachers to handhelds for teachers, and the ratio of students to handhelds for students, by school 

characteristics: Fall 2008 

School characteristic

For administrators For teachers For students

Percent of 

schools

Mean number 

of handhelds

Percent of 

schools

Ratio of FTE 

teachers to 

handhelds

Percent of 

schools

Ratio of students 

to handhelds

All public schools .................................................... 1.5 0.1 0.9 0.3 0.6 3.5

Instructional level

Elementary ................................................................. 1.9 0.1 1.3 0.2 0.8 2.5

Secondary ................................................................... 2.3 0.2 1.5 1.8 1.2 3.3

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 3.5 0.2 2.1 0.6 1.0 4.0

300 to 999 .................................................................. 2.1 0.1 1.3 0.2 0.8 2.9

1,000 or more ............................................................. 2.9 0.2 2.1 2.8 1.4 4.5

Community type

City ............................................................................ 3.5 0.1 2.2 0.4 1.3 8.2

Suburban .................................................................... 2.6 0.1 1.7 0.6 1.0 6.5

Town .......................................................................... 4.6 0.2 3.3 0.8 1.3 4.9

Rural .......................................................................... 3.2 0.2 1.6 0.5 0.8 5.3

Region

Northeast .................................................................... 3.7 0.1 2.4 0.9 1.3 15.4

Southeast .................................................................... 2.6 0.2 2.0 1.1 1.2 4.3

Central ........................................................................ 2.6 0.2 1.9 0.7 1.1 5.1

West ........................................................................... 2.5 0.1 1.9 0.3 0.9 15.9

Percent combined enrollment of Black, 

Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, or 

American Indian/Alaska Native students

Less than 6 percent ..................................................... 3.1 0.2 2.0 0.8 0.9 6.9

6 to 20 percent ............................................................ 2.8 0.1 1.9 1.8 1.1 5.5

21 to 49 percent .......................................................... 2.5 0.1 2.1 0.6 1.4 5.9

50 percent or more ..................................................... 2.2 0.1 1.7 0.3 0.7 6.3

Percent of students eligible for free or 

reduced-price lunch

Less than 35 percent ................................................... 2.3 0.1 1.5 0.9 1.1 10.1

35 to 49 percent .......................................................... 3.9 0.2 2.1 1.3 1.2 8.4

50 to 74 percent .......................................................... 2.8 0.2 2.3 0.6 1.0 5.4

75 percent or more ..................................................... 3.1 0.1 2.4 0.3 0.9 7.5

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Response Survey System (FRSS), ―Educational Technology in 

U.S. Public Schools, Fall 2008,‖ FRSS 92, 2008; and Common Core of Data, ―Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey,‖ 2005–06. 
A-6

Table 4a. Standard errors for the percent of public schools providing various technology devices for instruction, and among those 

schools, the ratio of students to number of devices, by school characteristics: Fall 2008 

School characteristic

LCD and DLP 

projectors

Videoconference 

units

Interactive 

whiteboards

Classroom 

response systems

Digital cameras 

(still and video)

MP3 

players/iPods

Document 

cameras

Percent 

of 

schools

Ratio of 

students 

to 

devices

Percent 

of 

schools

Ratio of 

students 

to 

devices

Percent 

of 

schools

Ratio of 

students 

to 

devices

Percent 

of 

schools

Ratio of 

students 

to 

devices

Percent 

of 

schools

Ratio of 

students 

to 

devices

Percent 

of 

schools

Ratio of 

students 

to 

devices

Percent 

of 

schools

Ratio of 

students 

to 

devices

All public schools .................................................... 0.5 0.6 1.2 48.8 1.5 2.6 1.4 11.4 0.8 6.8 1.1 27.9 1.4 2.6

Instructional level

Elementary ................................................................ 0.6 0.9 1.5 65.1 1.8 3.1 1.7 11.8 1.0 10.1 1.3 34.5 1.7 2.7

Secondary .................................................................. 0.6 0.8 1.7 88.7 1.9 3.5 2.0 16.9 0.7 3.4 1.6 14.1 2.2 6.5

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 1.7 1.3 3.0 13.3 3.6 2.9 2.8 8.6 2.3 3.0 2.0 13.0 3.7 6.0

300 to 999 .................................................................. 0.5 0.9 1.5 66.3 1.4 3.2 1.9 13.3 0.9 10.4 1.2 30.1 1.7 2.8

1,000 or more ............................................................ 0.4 1.2 2.8 356.9 2.1 7.1 2.7 32.5 1.3 5.7 2.2 24.6 2.8 8.7

Community type

City ............................................................................ 1.3 1.8 2.3 91.0 2.2 6.3 3.1 19.3 1.7 31.3 1.8 19.0 2.9 4.7

Suburban ................................................................... 0.8 1.0 2.0 51.9 2.7 4.8 2.2 21.9 1.5 4.4 1.8 † 2.5 3.7

Town ......................................................................... 1.1 1.4 2.7 45.1 3.1 4.5 4.0 23.9 1.2 4.4 2.7 14.6 3.5 10.8

Rural .......................................................................... 1.2 1.2 2.3 24.4 2.6 3.2 2.5 13.5 1.4 3.6 1.6 13.2 2.2 6.2

Region

Northeast ................................................................... 1.1 1.8 3.3 41.1 2.6 4.2 3.1 29.3 1.6 4.0 2.4 9.5 3.4 14.6

Southeast ................................................................... 0.7 1.4 2.5 58.8 1.9 4.8 3.4 14.7 1.9 5.9 2.4 † 2.7 5.0

Central ....................................................................... 1.0 1.7 2.1 52.2 2.6 5.3 3.0 16.6 1.5 4.1 1.4 22.4 3.0 11.6

West .......................................................................... 1.3 1.0 1.9 71.6 2.9 6.4 2.7 18.3 1.7 20.9 1.6 20.6 2.5 2.9

Percent combined enrollment of Black, Hispanic, 

Asian/Pacific Islander, or American 

Indian/Alaska Native students

Less than 6 percent .................................................... 2.0 1.7 2.9 35.3 2.9 4.5 2.8 19.7 1.3 2.9 2.1 16.6 3.1 10.5

6 to 20 percent ........................................................... 0.9 1.3 2.4 109.2 2.7 4.7 2.7 40.7 1.5 3.7 2.2 25.3 3.1 6.4

21 to 49 percent ......................................................... 0.8 1.4 2.3 85.2 2.8 5.7 3.0 18.1 1.4 5.1 2.1 † 3.2 5.3

50 percent or more ..................................................... 1.1 1.6 2.4 96.1 2.7 5.1 2.5 16.4 1.6 21.9 1.6 18.3 2.1 3.6

Percent of students eligible for free or reduced-price 

lunch

Less than 35 percent .................................................. 1.1 0.9 2.0 97.0 2.0 3.9 2.2 31.2 1.3 3.6 1.7 46.8 2.1 5.1

35 to 49 percent ......................................................... 1.0 1.8 2.8 158.3 3.4 7.8 3.2 34.4 1.6 6.0 2.0 12.8 3.7 8.9

50 to 74 percent ......................................................... 0.9 1.3 2.3 49.2 2.6 3.4 2.3 12.7 1.6 5.0 2.0 18.6 2.5 4.0

75 percent or more ..................................................... 1.4 1.9 2.9 132.1 2.7 5.2 2.8 17.6 2.5 33.4 2.0 21.8 2.8 5.2

† Not applicable.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Response Survey System (FRSS), ―Educational Technology in U.S. Public Schools, Fall 2008,‖ 

FRSS 92, 2008; and Common Core of Data, ―Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey,‖ 2005–06. 
A-7

Table 5a. Standard errors for the percentage distribution of public schools reporting the type of wireless network access in the school, 

and percent reporting the operating system(s) or platform(s) used on their instructional computers, by school characteristics: 

Fall 2008 

School characteristic

Type of wireless network access in the school Operating system(s) or platform(s) for instructional computers

None

Wireless 

connections 

are only 

from 

laptops to 

carts 

Wireless 

access

in part of 

the school

Wireless 

access in 

the whole 

school

Windows 

3.1 or DOS

Windows 

95, 

98, or ME

Windows 

NT 

or 2000

Windows 

XP

Windows 

Vista

Mac OS 9 

or earlier

Mac OS 10

or higher

Other 

operating 

system

All public schools .................................................... 1.3 0.7 1.0 1.3 0.4 1.0 1.4 1.1 1.0 0.8 1.2 0.4

Instructional level

Elementary ................................................................ 1.7 0.9 1.3 1.6 0.5 1.4 1.7 1.4 1.3 1.0 1.4 0.4

Secondary ................................................................ 1.5 .. 1.6 1.8 2.3 0.7 1.7 1.7 0.8 1.7 1.2 2.2 0.7

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 2.7 1.8 3.1 3.3 1.0 2.8 3.1 3.1 2.5 2.2 2.6 1.1

300 to 999 ................................................................ 1.6 .. 0.8 1.5 1.9 0.5 1.3 1.6 1.2 1.0 1.0 1.4 0.4

1,000 or more ............................................................ 2.2 2.5 2.9 3.4 0.5 2.6 3.2 1.7 2.0 2.7 3.1 0.9

Community type

City ................................................................ 34 ............ 1.8 2.5 3.3 1.0 2.8 3.4 2.3 1.9 2.7 2.8 0.5

Suburban ................................................................ 2.0 ... 1.7 2.2 2.3 0.7 1.8 2.3 2.2 1.3 1.6 2.3 0.4

Town ................................................................ 2.8 ......... 1.4 3.8 4.1 1.6 4.0 3.4 2.6 3.0 2.6 2.6 1.8

Rural ................................................................ 2.0 .......... 1.3 2.2 2.2 0.5 2.0 2.1 1.7 2.3 1.7 2.1 0.8

Region

Northeast ................................................................ 3.2 ... 1.8 3.1 2.9 † 2.5 3.0 3.0 1.3 2.2 3.3 0.4

Southeast ................................................................ 2.4 ... 1.5 2.4 2.5 0.9 2.8 2.5 2.1 1.8 1.7 2.3 0.7

Central ................................................................ 2.6 ....... 2.2 2.0 2.6 0.9 1.8 2.3 2.2 2.0 1.6 2.3 0.8

West ................................................................ 2.1 .......... 1.3 2.2 2.7 0.7 2.3 2.7 2.0 1.9 1.9 2.4 0.9

Percent combined enrollment of 

Black, Hispanic, 

Asian/Pacific Islander, or 

American Indian/

Alaska Native students

Less than 6 percent .................................................... 2.9 1.7 2.8 2.5 0.9 2.7 2.8 2.1 2.7 2.1 2.6 0.9

6 to 20 percent ........................................................... 2.3 1.8 2.8 3.1 0.3 2.2 2.8 2.5 1.8 1.9 2.9 1.2

21 to 49 percent ......................................................... 2.5 1.5 2.4 3.1 0.7 2.5 2.6 2.2 1.9 2.3 2.4 0.7

50 percent or more ..................................................... 2.1 1.2 1.9 2.1 0.9 2.1 2.5 2.1 1.6 1.6 2.3 0.5

Percent of students eligible for 

free or reduced-price lunch

Less than 35 percent ................................1.7 ................. 1.3 1.9 2.1 0.5 1.8 1.9 2.0 1.4 1.7 2.3 0.5

35 to 49 percent ......................................................... 3.0 2.3 3.6 3.1 1.6 3.4 2.8 3.0 2.7 2.2 3.4 1.5

50 to 74 percent ......................................................... 2.6 1.3 2.6 2.8 0.8 1.9 2.8 2.1 2.1 1.7 2.1 0.8

75 percent or more ..................................................... 2.8 2.0 2.6 3.2 1.1 3.0 2.6 2.5 2.1 2.5 2.8 0.6

† Not applicable. 

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Response Survey System (FRSS), ―Educational Technology in U.S. Public Schools, Fall 2008,‖ 

FRSS 92, 2008; and Common Core of Data, ―Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey,‖ 2005–06.
A-8 

Table 6a. Standard errors for the percent of public schools using their district network or Internet access to 

provide various opportunities and information for teaching and learning, by school characteristics: 

Fall 2008 

School characteristic

Two-way 

conferencing 

(e.g., videoconferencing)

Telecommunications 

(voice over 

IP)

Online 

student 

assessment 

provided by 

school or 

district

Access for 

students to 

online 

distance 

learning

Standardized 

assessment 

results and 

data for 

teachers to 

individualize 

instruction

Data to 

inform 

instructional 

planning at 

the school

Online 

professional 

development 

provided by 

school or 

district

High-quality 

digital 

content

All public schools .................................................... 1.3 1.1 1.4 1.4 1.0 1.1 1.5 1.4

Instructional level

Elementary ................................................................ 1.7 . 1.4 1.7 1.7 1.2 1.5 1.8 1.8

Secondary ................................................................ 2.3... 1.5 2.1 2.1 1.8 1.7 2.1 2.0

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 3.1 2.3 3.1 3.8 2.1 2.2 3.5 3.0

300 to 999 ................................................................ 1.7 .. 1.4 1.7 1.5 1.2 1.3 1.9 1.9

1,000 or more ............................................................. 2.6 2.9 2.4 2.5 2.1 1.8 2.7 2.6

Community type

City ............................................................................ 2.4 1.8 2.4 2.9 1.9 1.9 2.9 3.2

Suburban ................................................................ 2.4.... 2.4 2.4 2.3 1.6 1.8 2.6 2.2

Town .......................................................................... 3.0 3.6 3.9 3.6 2.7 2.6 4.4 3.3

Rural .......................................................................... 2.6 1.8 2.3 2.6 1.5 1.9 2.8 2.3

Region

Northeast ................................................................ 3.6.... 3.2 3.5 3.1 2.7 2.8 3.2 3.4

Southeast ................................................................ 2.8.... 2.1 2.2 2.6 2.0 2.1 2.4 3.1

Central ........................................................................ 2.6 2.0 2.5 2.9 2.7 2.5 2.9 2.6

West ........................................................................... 2.3 2.1 2.9 2.6 1.4 1.8 2.5 2.3

Percent combined enrollment of 

Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific 

Islander, or American Indian/ 

Alaska Native students

Less than 6 percent ..................................................... 2.9 2.6 2.9 3.2 2.1 2.5 3.3 3.0

6 to 20 percent ............................................................ 3.0 2.7 3.1 3.6 2.2 2.5 2.8 3.4

21 to 49 percent .......................................................... 2.6 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.2 1.9 3.1 2.5

50 percent or more ..................................................... 2.6 2.0 2.4 2.5 1.6 1.7 2.3 2.8

Percent of students eligible for free or 

reduced-price lunch

Less than 35 percent ................................................... 2.3 1.9 2.6 2.4 2.0 1.7 2.4 2.2

35 to 49 percent .......................................................... 3.5 2.6 2.7 3.6 2.0 2.9 3.3 3.6

50 to 74 percent .......................................................... 2.7 2.4 2.6 3.0 1.5 2.0 2.9 3.2

75 percent or more ..................................................... 2.9 2.7 3.1 2.9 2.2 2.2 2.9 3.2

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Response Survey System (FRSS), ―Educational Technology in 

U.S. Public Schools, Fall 2008,‖ FRSS 92, 2008; and Common Core of Data, ―Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey,‖ 2005–06. 
A-9 

Table 7a. Standard errors for the percent of public schools with staff in the school full time whose only 

responsibility is technology support and/or technology integration into instruction, and percentage 

distribution of public schools reporting how long it takes to obtain various types of technology support, 

by school characteristics: Fall 2008 

School characteristic

Have fulltime staff 

responsible 

for 

technology 

support 

and/or 

integration

Time it takes to get:

Computer repaired

Help with software problem 

or question

Network services restored 

when network goes down

Curricular support for 

teachers who need help 

with integrating technology 

into curriculum

Less 

than 

1 

hour

1 to 8 

hours

2 to 5 

days

1

week 

or 

more

Less 

than 

1 

hour

1 to 8 

hours

2 to 5 

days

1

week 

or 

more

Less 

than 

1 

hour

1 to 8 

hours

2 to 5 

days

1

week 

or 

more

Less 

than 

1 

hour

1 to 8 

hours

2 to 5 

days

1

week 

or 

more

All public schools ................................ 1.4 .................... 0.5 1.0 1.4 1.5 1.1 1.2 1.2 0.9 1.1 1.2 0.7 0.4 0.8 1.4 1.2 1.3

Instructional level

Elementary ................................................................ 1.6 0.5 1.4 . 1.9 1.9 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.1 1.2 1.4 1.0 0.5 1.0 1.8 1.5 1.5

Secondary ................................................................ 2.5 0.8 1.7... 1.9 1.6 1.6 2.1 1.6 0.9 2.0 1.9 1.0 0.6 1.3 2.0 2.0 1.7

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ................................3.0............................ 0.9 2.3 3.1 3.1 2.6 3.5 2.9 2.1 3.3 3.7 2.1 1.0 1.9 3.1 3.2 2.8

300 to 999 ................................................................ 1.8 0.6 1.5.. 1.6 1.9 1.3 1.6 1.5 1.1 1.3 1.4 0.9 0.4 1.0 1.8 1.7 1.4

1,000 or more ................................2.6............................ 1.5 2.5 3.0 2.8 2.3 3.0 2.3 1.5 2.7 2.6 1.3 0.4 1.8 3.0 3.3 2.0

Community type

City ................................................................ 2.4 0.8 ............ 22 3.3 3.3 2.8 2.9 2.8 2.0 2.1 2.8 2.2 0.9 1.9 3.0 2.5 2.7

Suburban ................................................................ 2.6 0.9 2.0.... 2.9 2.5 1.9 2.6 2.0 1.3 2.0 2.1 1.3 0.7 1.4 2.3 2.6 2.6

Town ................................................................ 3.5 0.9 .......... 33 3.3 3.1 3.1 3.9 3.5 2.0 3.3 3.3 1.7 † 2.1 3.5 3.8 2.9

Rural ................................................................ 2.2 0.8 .......... 22 2.7 2.8 1.8 2.5 2.1 1.7 2.6 2.6 1.2 0.7 1.6 2.8 2.5 2.3

Region

Northeast ................................................................ 2.8 1.2 2.6.... 3.0 2.1 2.9 3.2 2.6 1.8 2.6 2.9 1.6 0.5 1.9 2.6 2.9 2.4

Southeast ................................................................ 2.5 0.7 2.4.... 2.7 2.9 2.0 2.4 2.3 2.2 2.7 2.7 2.0 1.2 2.1 2.4 2.1 2.2

Central ................................................................ 2.9 0.9 ........ 22 2.6 2.5 2.0 2.5 2.1 1.5 2.8 2.8 1.5 0.8 1.6 2.9 2.9 3.0

West ................................................................ 2.3 0.9 ........... 20 2.8 2.4 2.2 2.5 2.3 1.5 2.0 2.4 1.1 0.6 1.4 2.6 2.3 2.5

Percent combined 

enrollment of Black, 

Hispanic, Asian/

Pacific Islander, or 

American Indian/

Alaska Native 

students

Less than 6 percent ................................ 3.0 ..................... 1.0 3.1 3.5 2.8 2.6 3.4 2.3 1.8 3.0 3.1 1.5 0.7 2.0 3.6 3.1 3.0

6 to 20 percent ................................2.6........................... 1.1 2.5 2.8 2.8 2.3 2.9 2.2 1.6 2.2 2.5 1.2 0.6 1.9 2.5 2.8 2.2

21 to 49 percent ................................ 27.......................... 1.0 2.0 3.4 2.8 2.0 2.6 2.3 1.7 2.1 2.2 1.5 0.8 1.6 3.0 2.8 2.4

50 percent or more ................................ 2.1 ..................... 0.8 1.4 2.5 2.9 2.1 2.4 2.3 1.7 1.8 2.4 1.6 0.9 1.4 2.5 2.5 2.4

Percent of students 

eligible for free or 

reduced-price lunch

Less than 35 percent ................................ 2.3 ................... 0.8 1.7 2.2 1.8 1.9 2.4 1.7 1.0 2.4 2.6 1.1 0.5 1.6 1.8 2.0 1.7

35 to 49 percent ................................ 31.......................... 1.5 2.9 3.5 3.6 3.0 4.0 3.5 2.2 3.8 3.9 1.6 1.1 1.9 3.1 3.0 3.2

50 to 74 percent ................................ 25.......................... 1.0 2.1 3.3 3.0 1.9 2.7 2.1 1.8 2.2 2.2 1.3 0.7 1.5 3.1 2.5 2.3

75 percent or more ................................ 2.5 ..................... 0.8 2.2 2.9 3.1 2.5 2.6 2.8 2.3 1.9 2.8 2.4 1.1 1.8 2.8 3.1 3.3

† Not applicable.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Response Survey System (FRSS), ―Educational Technology in 

U.S. Public Schools, Fall 2008,‖ FRSS 92, 2008; and Common Core of Data, ―Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey,‖ 2005–06. 
A-10

Table 8a. Standard errors for the percentage distribution of public schools reporting the extent to which people 

in various roles help school staff integrate technology into instruction, by school characteristics: 

Fall 2008 

School characteristic

District-level technology staff School-level technology staff School-level administrators

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

All public schools ................................ 10 .................... 1.1 1.4 1.2 1.0 1.5 1.1 1.3 1.1 1.6 1.6 1.1

Instructional level

Elementary ................................................................ 1.3 1.5 . 1.7 1.4 1.3 1.7 1.4 1.6 1.3 1.9 1.8 1.4

Secondary ................................................................ 1.4 1.7 ... 2.2 1.9 1.5 1.9 2.0 1.8 1.4 2.1 2.6 1.4

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 2.7 2.9 3.6 2.8 2.7 3.4 3.1 2.6 2.5 3.2 3.4 2.6

300 to 999 ................................................................ 1.2 1.6 .. 1.9 1.5 1.1 1.5 1.4 1.5 1.1 1.9 1.7 1.3

1,000 or more ............................................................. 1.6 2.8 3.3 3.0 1.7 2.5 3.1 3.1 1.8 3.1 2.9 2.1

Community type

City ................................................................ 2.2 ............ 2.8 3.0 2.5 2.1 2.5 2.7 2.8 2.0 3.1 3.2 2.2

Suburban ................................................................ 1.5 2.4 .... 2.6 2.3 1.9 2.3 2.5 2.5 1.8 3.3 2.6 2.3

Town ................................................................ 2.2 3.6.......... 3.8 3.6 3.0 3.5 3.2 3.3 2.0 3.1 3.4 3.1

Rural ................................................................ 2.2 1.7.......... 2.5 2.1 1.7 2.5 2.3 2.5 1.6 2.3 2.5 1.8

Region

Northeast ................................................................ 2.4 2.8 .... 2.9 2.6 2.7 2.4 2.6 2.4 2.0 3.0 3.4 2.3

Southeast ................................................................ 1.1 2.7 .... 2.6 2.1 1.7 2.7 2.9 3.3 1.5 2.8 2.9 2.3

Central ................................................................ 2.2 2.2........ 3.0 2.5 2.5 2.7 2.6 2.3 2.1 3.3 3.2 2.0

West ................................................................ 1.9 ........... 2.1 2.3 2.2 2.6 2.1 2.2 2.3 1.9 2.1 2.5 1.6

Percent combined enrollment 

of Black, Hispanic, 

Asian/Pacific Islander, or 

American Indian/Alaska 

Native students

Less than 6 percent ................................ 18 ..................... 2.6 2.7 2.7 2.9 2.3 3.2 3.2 2.0 3.0 2.7 2.1

6 to 20 percent ............................................................ 1.9 2.6 3.1 2.8 2.3 2.4 2.9 2.6 1.8 3.3 3.0 2.1

21 to 49 percent ................................1.8......................... 2.9 3.8 3.1 2.2 2.7 2.8 3.0 2.5 3.1 2.3 1.8

50 percent or more ................................ 18 ..................... 2.2 2.5 2.3 1.7 2.0 2.4 2.3 1.7 2.2 2.4 1.5

Percent of students eligible for 

free or reduced-price lunch

Less than 35 percent ................................ 1.7 ................... 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.0 2.1 1.9 2.3 1.7 2.8 2.5 1.8

35 to 49 percent ................................2.7......................... 3.2 4.1 3.9 2.7 3.5 4.1 3.4 2.3 3.8 3.7 3.1

50 to 74 percent ................................1.8......................... 2.1 2.8 2.9 2.0 2.1 2.8 2.4 2.0 2.6 2.4 1.7

75 percent or more ................................ 23 ..................... 2.9 2.6 2.3 2.3 2.9 3.1 2.6 2.1 3.0 3.0 2.1

See notes at end of table. 
A-11

Table 8a. Standard errors for the percentage distribution of public schools reporting the extent to which people 

in various roles help school staff integrate technology into instruction, by school characteristics: 

Fall 2008—Continued 

School characteristic

Teachers Library media specialists Vendor(s)

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

All public schools ................................ 05 .................... 1.5 1.6 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.4 1.1 1.0 0.3

Instructional level

Elementary ................................................................ 0.6 1.7 . 1.7 1.3 1.2 1.5 1.2 1.5 1.7 1.4 1.2 0.4

Secondary ................................................................ 0.6 2.2 ... 2.4 1.5 1.9 2.0 2.2 1.6 2.1 2.0 1.3 0.7

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 1.1 3.0 3.6 2.8 2.9 3.3 2.9 2.2 3.2 3.0 2.2 0.7

300 to 999 ................................................................ 0.6 1.8 .. 1.6 1.3 1.3 1.5 1.3 1.5 1.8 1.4 1.1 0.4

1,000 or more ............................................................. 0.5 2.7 3.4 2.4 1.8 2.5 2.8 2.4 3.3 3.4 2.0 0.9

Community type

City ................................................................ 1.1 ............ 3.2 3.1 1.8 2.8 2.3 3.0 2.2 3.2 2.6 2.2 0.7

Suburban ................................................................ 0.9 2.1 .... 2.4 2.2 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.9 2.5 1.5 0.6

Town ................................................................ 1.1 3.4.......... 4.1 3.6 2.9 3.4 3.5 2.6 3.6 3.5 2.0 1.1

Rural ................................................................ 0.7 2.9.......... 2.7 2.0 2.0 2.5 2.1 1.7 2.4 2.2 1.5 0.5

Region

Northeast ................................................................ 1.2 2.9 .... 3.6 2.2 2.5 3.1 3.3 2.3 3.7 3.1 1.9 0.8

Southeast ................................................................ 0.9 2.7 .... 2.7 2.8 1.8 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.8 2.8 1.9 0.9

Central ................................................................ 1.0 2.8........ 3.2 2.2 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.6 2.8 2.4 1.6 0.5

West ................................................................ 0.7 ........... 2.6 3.0 2.1 2.3 2.3 2.1 1.4 2.7 2.2 1.8 0.6

Percent combined enrollment 

of Black, Hispanic, 

Asian/Pacific Islander, or 

American Indian/

Alaska Native students

Less than 6 percent ................................ 08 ..................... 3.2 3.3 2.4 2.3 3.5 2.8 2.5 3.2 2.9 2.2 0.7

6 to 20 percent ............................................................ 1.0 2.8 3.4 2.6 2.5 2.3 2.5 2.3 3.0 2.8 1.2 0.6

21 to 49 percent ................................1.1......................... 2.7 2.9 2.2 2.5 2.4 2.7 2.1 2.6 2.4 1.7 0.6

50 percent or more ................................ 08 ..................... 2.5 2.4 1.7 2.4 2.1 2.1 1.7 3.1 2.6 1.7 0.8

Percent of students eligible for 

free or reduced-price lunch

Less than 35 percent ................................ 0.9 ................... 2.1 2.5 1.9 1.9 2.0 1.8 1.9 2.0 1.7 1.0 0.5

35 to 49 percent ................................1.3......................... 3.7 3.5 2.9 3.0 3.1 3.3 3.7 3.5 3.1 2.5 0.8

50 to 74 percent ................................1.0......................... 2.6 2.8 2.3 2.1 2.3 2.3 2.4 3.0 2.5 1.5 0.8

75 percent or more ................................ 09 ..................... 3.2 2.9 2.3 3.0 2.9 2.5 1.8 3.1 2.9 2.5 0.8

See notes at end of table. 
A-12

Table 8a. Standard errors for the percentage distribution of public schools reporting the extent to which people 

in various roles help school staff integrate technology into instruction, by school characteristics: 

Fall 2008—Continued 

School characteristic

Students Parents or non-staff volunteers

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

All public schools .................................................... 1.6 1.4 1.1 0.4 1.2 1.2 0.5 †

Instructional level

Elementary ................................................................. 2.0 1.8 1.2 0.5 1.5 1.6 0.6 †

Secondary ................................................................... 2.2 2.2 1.5 0.7 1.9 1.9 0.5 †

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 3.6 3.4 3.0 0.9 3.7 3.7 1.3 †

300 to 999 .................................................................. 1.7 1.6 1.0 0.5 1.3 1.3 0.5 †

1,000 or more ............................................................. 3.2 3.1 2.3 0.7 2.8 2.8 0.6 0.4

Community type

City ............................................................................ 3.0 2.9 2.2 1.2 2.7 2.5 1.6 0.5

Suburban .................................................................... 2.9 2.5 1.5 0.9 2.1 2.2 0.9 †

Town .......................................................................... 3.6 3.4 2.6 1.8 3.8 3.6 1.3 †

Rural .......................................................................... 2.8 2.8 2.2 0.4 2.7 2.7 0.7 †

Region

Northeast .................................................................... 3.4 3.1 2.0 0.9 2.8 2.8 0.8 †

Southeast .................................................................... 3.1 2.8 1.7 1.0 2.2 2.3 0.9 †

Central ........................................................................ 2.7 2.8 2.0 0.6 2.7 2.4 1.0 †

West ........................................................................... 2.7 2.1 1.9 0.9 2.1 2.1 1.1 †

Percent combined enrollment 

of Black, Hispanic, 

Asian/Pacific Islander, or 

American Indian/

Alaska Native students

Less than 6 percent ..................................................... 3.4 3.3 2.4 0.6 3.5 3.5 1.1 †

6 to 20 percent ............................................................ 3.2 3.5 2.2 0.7 2.4 2.4 1.1 †

21 to 49 percent .......................................................... 3.2 2.7 2.0 0.8 2.5 2.5 1.0 †

50 percent or more ..................................................... 2.3 2.3 1.6 0.9 2.5 2.3 1.1 †

Percent of students eligible for 

free or reduced-price lunch

Less than 35 percent ................................................... 2.8 2.5 1.7 0.7 2.2 2.1 0.6 0.3

35 to 49 percent .......................................................... 3.9 3.7 3.0 0.7 2.9 3.0 1.7 †

50 to 74 percent .......................................................... 2.6 2.8 1.8 1.0 2.7 2.7 0.7 †

75 percent or more ..................................................... 3.3 3.2 2.3 1.0 2.7 2.7 1.3 †

† Not applicable.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Response Survey System (FRSS), ―Educational Technology in 

U.S. Public Schools, Fall 2008,‖ FRSS 92, 2008; and Common Core of Data, ―Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey,‖ 2005–06. 
A-13

Table 9a. Standard errors for the percentage distribution of public schools reporting the extent to which people 

in various roles provide technical support for educational technology in the school, by school 

characteristics: Fall 2008 

School characteristic

District-level technology staff School-level technology staff School-level administrators

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

All public schools ................................ 06 .................... 0.8 1.3 1.2 0.9 1.0 1.4 1.2 1.2 1.4 1.1 0.8

Instructional level

Elementary ................................................................ 0.8 0.9 . 1.6 1.7 1.2 1.2 1.7 1.5 1.5 1.7 1.4 1.0

Secondary ................................................................ 1.1 1.2 ... 1.9 2.2 1.3 1.7 1.8 1.7 1.6 2.0 1.6 1.0

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 1.9 2.1 2.5 2.9 2.8 2.8 3.3 3.0 3.3 4.0 3.0 1.8

300 to 999 ................................................................ 0.6 0.9 .. 1.4 1.7 1.0 1.1 1.7 1.7 1.3 1.7 1.3 1.0

1,000 or more ............................................................. 0.7 2.1 3.2 2.9 1.5 1.9 2.6 2.8 3.1 2.5 1.9 1.5

Community type

City ................................................................ 1.5 ............ 2.1 2.8 3.0 1.9 2.4 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.2 2.4 1.7

Suburban ................................................................ 0.6 1.5 .... 2.5 2.6 1.6 1.9 2.3 2.7 2.7 2.8 1.8 1.7

Town ................................................................ 1.6 1.9.......... 3.6 3.4 3.2 2.8 3.6 3.4 2.5 3.4 3.3 2.0

Rural ................................................................ 1.5 1.4.......... 2.3 2.5 1.7 2.0 2.3 2.8 2.4 2.6 2.2 1.3

Region

Northeast ................................................................ 1.5 1.8 .... 3.2 3.4 2.4 2.1 2.2 2.9 3.0 3.6 2.5 1.4

Southeast ................................................................ 0.6 2.4 .... 3.1 3.2 1.7 1.8 2.6 3.0 2.4 2.6 2.6 1.7

Central ................................................................ 1.3 1.6........ 2.5 2.7 2.2 2.2 3.3 2.5 2.9 3.2 2.4 1.5

West ................................................................ 1.3 ........... 1.5 2.3 2.3 1.9 2.0 2.5 2.6 2.4 2.6 2.3 1.4

Percent combined enrollment 

of Black, Hispanic, 

Asian/Pacific Islander, or 

American Indian/

Alaska Native students

Less than 6 percent ................................ 17 ..................... 1.6 2.4 2.9 2.7 2.2 3.2 3.0 2.9 3.2 2.9 2.0

6 to 20 percent ............................................................ 1.4 1.6 2.6 2.9 1.9 2.3 2.8 2.6 2.7 3.2 2.4 1.5

21 to 49 percent ................................1.0......................... 1.4 2.7 3.1 1.9 2.1 2.6 3.2 2.6 3.1 2.1 1.2

50 percent or more ................................ 09 ..................... 1.7 2.5 2.5 1.4 1.8 2.5 2.0 2.4 2.5 1.9 1.3

Percent of students eligible for 

free or reduced-price lunch

Less than 35 percent ................................ 1.3 ................... 1.2 2.1 2.2 1.7 1.6 1.9 2.2 2.3 2.9 2.3 1.3

35 to 49 percent ................................1.8......................... 2.7 2.9 4.2 1.9 3.4 4.2 3.4 3.7 3.7 3.5 2.0

50 to 74 percent ................................0.9......................... 1.7 2.8 2.8 1.8 1.6 2.6 2.6 2.4 2.4 1.9 1.7

75 percent or more ................................ 13 ..................... 2.2 2.9 3.0 1.9 2.3 2.9 2.8 2.8 3.0 2.5 1.7

See notes at end of table. 
A-14

Table 9a. Standard errors for the percentage distribution of public schools reporting the extent to which people 

in various roles provide technical support for educational technology in the school, by school 

characteristics: Fall 2008—Continued 

School characteristic

Teachers Library media specialists Vendor(s)

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

All public schools ................................ 12 .................... 1.5 1.3 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.2 1.0 1.8 1.5 1.1 0.4

Instructional level

Elementary ................................................................ 1.4 1.9 . 1.6 0.7 1.8 2.0 1.5 1.2 2.2 1.7 1.4 0.4

Secondary ................................................................ 1.4 2.0 ... 1.6 1.2 2.2 1.9 1.6 1.5 2.3 2.2 1.2 0.7

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 2.4 3.4 3.2 1.6 3.7 3.0 2.3 2.2 3.9 3.4 2.3 1.1

300 to 999 ................................................................ 1.4 1.8 .. 1.3 0.7 1.7 1.8 1.5 1.1 2.1 1.6 1.3 0.5

1,000 or more ............................................................. 2.1 3.0 2.8 1.2 2.7 2.9 2.5 2.1 3.4 3.7 2.2 0.7

Community type

City ................................................................ 2.1 ............ 3.3 2.9 1.3 3.1 3.1 2.9 1.8 3.0 2.6 2.0 1.0

Suburban ................................................................ 1.8 2.7 .... 2.0 1.0 2.5 2.6 1.9 1.5 3.0 2.7 1.5 0.5

Town ................................................................ 2.8 4.1.......... 3.9 2.0 3.8 3.7 3.1 3.0 4.5 3.9 3.0 1.1

Rural ................................................................ 2.0 2.2.......... 2.6 1.1 2.4 2.7 1.6 1.6 2.8 2.6 1.5 0.8

Region

Northeast ................................................................ 3.1 3.4 .... 2.3 1.2 4.0 3.5 2.7 1.8 3.8 3.3 1.4 0.8

Southeast ................................................................ 1.9 3.0 .... 2.8 1.6 2.3 2.6 2.6 2.2 2.9 2.5 2.1 0.9

Central ................................................................ 1.9 2.5........ 2.1 1.2 2.8 2.8 2.5 1.8 2.8 2.7 2.0 0.6

West ................................................................ 2.1 ........... 2.7 2.8 1.2 3.1 2.7 2.3 1.4 2.8 2.2 1.8 0.6

Percent combined enrollment 

of Black, Hispanic, 

Asian/Pacific Islander, or 

American Indian/

Alaska Native students

Less than 6 percent ................................ 26 ..................... 3.1 2.9 1.2 3.3 3.6 2.3 2.0 3.2 3.1 2.1 0.7

6 to 20 percent ............................................................ 1.9 3.0 2.7 1.4 2.9 2.5 2.4 1.8 3.4 3.2 1.5 0.7

21 to 49 percent ................................2.4......................... 2.9 2.1 1.4 2.9 3.3 2.9 2.0 2.8 2.9 1.6 0.9

50 percent or more ................................ 16 ..................... 2.5 2.2 1.2 2.9 2.6 2.4 1.3 2.8 2.2 2.1 0.6

Percent of students eligible for 

free or reduced-price lunch

Less than 35 percent ................................ 2.0 ................... 2.2 1.9 0.8 2.4 2.6 1.9 1.4 2.5 2.4 1.0 0.8

35 to 49 percent ................................2.7......................... 4.0 3.2 1.8 3.1 3.2 2.5 3.5 3.7 3.3 2.6 0.8

50 to 74 percent ................................2.4......................... 2.6 2.8 1.2 2.8 2.7 2.4 1.9 3.3 2.8 1.8 0.9

75 percent or more ................................ 24 ..................... 3.4 2.5 1.4 3.5 3.1 2.8 1.4 3.3 2.7 2.7 0.9

See notes at end of table. 
A-15

Table 9a. Standard errors for the percentage distribution of public schools reporting the extent to which people 

in various roles provide technical support for educational technology in the school, by school 

characteristics: Fall 2008—Continued 

School characteristic

Students Parents or non-staff volunteers Other

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

All public schools ................................ 16 .................... 1.5 0.9 0.3 1.1 1.1 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.2

Instructional level

Elementary ................................................................ 1.8 1.8 . 1.0 0.3 1.4 1.4 0.4 0.3 0.4 † † 0.3

Secondary ................................................................ 2.2 2.0 ... 1.2 0.5 1.2 1.3 0.4 0.3 1.0 0.7 0.5 0.4

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 3.6 3.1 2.4 0.3 3.0 3.1 0.7 † 1.2 0.5 0.9 0.4

300 to 999 ................................................................ 1.6 1.6 .. 0.8 0.4 1.1 1.2 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.3 † 0.3

1,000 or more ............................................................. 3.1 2.8 1.9 0.9 2.2 2.2 0.6 † 0.9 0.6 0.4 0.7

Community type

City ................................................................ 3.1 ............ 2.7 1.9 0.7 2.2 2.1 1.0 0.6 0.8 † 0.7 †

Suburban ................................................................ 2.0 1.9 .... 0.8 0.5 1.6 1.6 † 0.5 0.6 † † 0.5

Town ................................................................ 3.7 4.0.......... 1.7 1.0 3.0 3.0 0.8 † 0.5 † † †

Rural ................................................................ 2.8 2.7.......... 1.8 0.4 2.3 2.1 0.8 † 1.0 0.6 0.5 0.5

Region

Northeast ................................................................ 3.0 2.9 .... 1.3 0.6 2.5 2.4 0.5 † 0.8 † 0.3 0.8

Southeast ................................................................ 2.9 2.6 .... 1.5 0.7 2.3 2.1 0.7 0.5 0.8 0.6 † 0.6

Central ................................................................ 2.9 2.8........ 1.3 0.4 2.1 2.0 0.5 † 0.7 † 0.5 0.4

West ................................................................ 2.3 ........... 2.3 1.7 0.6 2.2 2.2 0.9 0.6 1.0 0.6 0.5 †

Percent combined enrollment 

of Black, Hispanic, 

Asian/Pacific Islander, or 

American Indian/

Alaska Native students

Less than 6 percent ................................ 33 ..................... 3.3 1.9 0.5 2.6 2.5 0.7 † 0.9 0.5 † 0.7

6 to 20 percent ............................................................ 2.8 3.0 2.0 † 2.3 2.2 0.3 0.7 0.7 0.6 † 0.4

21 to 49 percent ................................2.6......................... 2.7 1.2 0.6 1.7 1.7 0.6 † 1.1 0.4 1.0 †

50 percent or more ................................ 25 ..................... 2.2 1.4 0.7 1.9 1.8 0.9 0.5 0.6 0.5 † 0.4

Percent of students eligible for 

free or reduced-price lunch

Less than 35 percent ................................ 2.4 ................... 2.2 1.2 0.4 1.6 1.6 0.3 † 0.5 † † 0.5

35 to 49 percent ................................3.3......................... 3.0 2.0 † 2.6 2.5 1.1 1.0 1.5 0.7 1.3 †

50 to 74 percent ................................2.9......................... 3.0 1.4 0.8 1.7 1.7 0.5 † 0.9 0.5 0.6 0.5

75 percent or more ................................ 31 ..................... 2.7 1.8 0.7 2.2 2.1 1.1 0.6 0.8 0.7 † 0.5

† Not applicable.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Response Survey System (FRSS), ―Educational Technology in 

U.S. Public Schools, Fall 2008,‖ FRSS 92, 2008; and Common Core of Data, ―Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey,‖ 2005–06. 
A-16

Table 10a. Standard errors for the percentage distribution of public schools reporting agreement or disagreement with various 

statements on using educational technology in the instructional program in the school, by school characteristics: Fall 2008 

School characteristic

Teachers are sufficiently 

trained 

in technology usage

Teachers are sufficiently 

trained to integrate 

technology into 

classroom instruction

Teachers are interested 

in using technology in 

classroom instruction

Teachers construct lessons 

in which students 

use a range of 

educational technologies

Technology is 

a priority of 

the district administration

Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Agree

All public schools .................................................... 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.4 0.7 0.7 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.1

Instructional level1

Elementary ................................................................ 1.7 1.7 1.9 1.9 0.9 0.9 1.6 1.6 1.3 1.3

Secondary ................................................................ 2.1 .. 2.1 2.2 2.2 1.2 1.2 2.1 2.1 1.6 1.6

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 3.3 3.3 3.4 3.4 1.7 1.7 2.9 2.9 2.6 2.6

300 to 999 ................................................................ 1.7 .. 1.7 1.8 1.8 0.9 0.9 1.6 1.6 1.4 1.4

1,000 or more ............................................................ 2.6 2.6 2.4 2.4 1.2 1.2 2.8 2.8 2.2 2.2

Community type

City ............................................................................ 3.1 3.1 3.0 3.0 1.5 1.5 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7

Suburban ................................................................ 2.6 ... 2.6 2.6 2.6 1.4 1.4 2.7 2.7 1.7 1.7

Town ................................................................2.6......... 2.6 3.7 3.7 2.0 2.0 3.2 3.2 3.0 3.0

Rural .......................................................................... 2.4 2.4 2.6 2.6 1.4 1.4 2.4 2.4 2.0 2.0

Region

Northeast ................................................................ 2.5 ... 2.5 3.0 3.0 1.3 1.3 3.0 3.0 2.6 2.6

Southeast ................................................................ 2.8 ... 2.8 2.9 2.9 1.5 1.5 2.8 2.8 2.3 2.3

Central ................................................................ 2.4....... 2.4 2.4 2.4 1.7 1.7 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1

West .......................................................................... 2.7 2.7 2.9 2.9 1.5 1.5 2.4 2.4 1.9 1.9

Percent combined enrollment of 

Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific 

Islander, or American Indian/ 

Alaska Native students

Less than 6 percent .................................................... 2.7 2.7 3.2 3.2 2.0 2.0 3.4 3.4 2.4 2.4

6 to 20 percent ........................................................... 2.2 2.2 2.6 2.6 1.3 1.3 2.6 2.6 1.9 1.9

21 to 49 percent ......................................................... 3.1 3.1 3.0 3.0 1.5 1.5 2.8 2.8 2.3 2.3

50 percent or more ..................................................... 2.1 2.1 2.2 2.2 1.3 1.3 2.0 2.0 2.2 2.2

Percent of students eligible for free 

or reduced-price lunch

Less than 35 percent .................................................. 2.3 2.3 2.6 2.6 1.3 1.3 2.2 2.2 1.5 1.5

35 to 49 percent ......................................................... 3.3 3.3 3.5 3.5 1.7 1.7 3.3 3.3 3.0 3.0

50 to 74 percent ......................................................... 2.4 2.4 2.7 2.7 1.5 1.5 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.5

75 percent or more ..................................................... 3.0 3.0 3.2 3.2 1.8 1.8 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9

See notes at end of table. 
A-17

Table 10a. Standard errors for the percentage distribution of public schools reporting agreement or disagreement with various 

statements on using educational technology in the instructional program in the school, by school characteristics: 

Fall 2008—Continued 

School characteristic

Technology 

infrastructure

is adequate

Technical support for 

educational 

technology is adequate

Funding for 

educational technology 

is adequate

Funding for educational 

technology is being spent 

in the most appropriate ways

Use of educational 

technology is adversely 

affected by competing 

priorities in the classroom

Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Agree

All public schools .................................................... 1.0 1.0 1.2 1.2 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.5

Instructional level1

Elementary ................................................................ 1.3 1.3 1.5 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8

Secondary ................................................................ 1.7 .. 1.7 2.0 2.0 2.4 2.4 1.9 1.9 2.0 2.0

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ............................................................. 2.8 2.8 2.6 2.6 3.4 3.4 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1

300 to 999 ................................................................ 1.4 .. 1.4 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.7 2.0 2.0

1,000 or more ............................................................ 2.3 2.3 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.2 2.2 2.4 2.4

Community type

City ............................................................................ 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.7 3.0 3.0 2.7 2.7 3.1 3.1

Suburban ................................................................ 2.1 ... 2.1 2.5 2.5 2.7 2.7 2.5 2.5 2.7 2.7

Town ................................................................3.0......... 3.0 2.7 2.7 3.6 3.6 3.0 3.0 3.8 3.8

Rural .......................................................................... 2.0 2.0 1.9 1.9 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.8 2.8

Region

Northeast ................................................................ 2.7 ... 2.7 2.5 2.5 3.5 3.5 3.0 3.0 3.5 3.5

Southeast ................................................................ 2.9 ... 2.9 2.9 2.9 3.1 3.1 2.9 2.9 3.0 3.0

Central ................................................................ 2.3....... 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.4 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.7 2.7

West .......................................................................... 1.9 1.9 2.4 2.4 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.4 2.4

Percent combined enrollment of 

Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific 

Islander, or American Indian/ 

Alaska Native students

Less than 6 percent .................................................... 2.3 2.3 2.6 2.6 3.4 3.4 2.9 2.9 3.8 3.8

6 to 20 percent ........................................................... 2.0 2.0 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.7 3.0 3.0

21 to 49 percent ......................................................... 2.5 2.5 2.7 2.7 3.2 3.2 3.1 3.1 2.3 2.3

50 percent or more ..................................................... 2.3 2.3 2.5 2.5 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.2 2.7 2.7

Percent of students eligible for free 

or reduced-price lunch

Less than 35 percent .................................................. 1.6 1.6 1.8 1.8 2.3 2.3 2.1 2.1 2.7 2.7

35 to 49 percent ......................................................... 3.0 3.0 3.7 3.7 4.2 4.2 4.3 4.3 3.0 3.0

50 to 74 percent ......................................................... 2.4 2.4 3.0 3.0 2.7 2.7 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5

75 percent or more ..................................................... 2.8 2.8 2.9 2.9 3.1 3.1 2.7 2.7 2.9 2.9

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Response Survey System (FRSS), ―Educational Technology in U.S. Public Schools, Fall 2008,‖ 

FRSS 92, 2008; and Common Core of Data, ―Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey,‖ 2005–06.
This page intentionally left blank. 
B-1 

Appendix B 

Technical Notes
This page intentionally left blank. 
B-3 

Technical Notes 

Fast Response Survey System 

The Fast Response Survey System (FRSS) was established in 1975 by the National Center for Education 

Statistics (NCES), U.S. Department of Education. FRSS is designed to collect issue-oriented data within a 

relatively short time frame. FRSS collects data from state education agencies, local education agencies, public 

and private elementary and secondary schools, public school teachers, and public libraries. To ensure minimal 

burden on respondents, the surveys are generally limited to three pages of questions, with a response burden of 

about 30 minutes per respondent. Sample sizes are relatively small (usually about 1,000 to 1,500 respondents 

per survey) so that data collection can be completed quickly. Data are weighted to produce national estimates 

of the sampled education sector. The sample size permits limited breakouts by classification variables. 

However, as the number of categories within the classification variables increases, the sample size within 

categories decreases, which results in larger sampling errors for the breakouts by classification variables. 

Sample Design 

The sample for the FRSS 2008 school survey on educational technology consisted of 2,005 public elementary 

and secondary/combined schools in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. This survey was one of three 

related FRSS surveys conducted under a nested design involving a sample of schools, districts that administer 

the sampled schools, and teachers within the sampled schools. 

A nationally representative sample of regular U.S. public schools was selected from the 2005–06 NCES 

Common Core of Data (CCD) Public School Universe file, which was the most current file available at the 

time of selection. The sampling frame included 85,719 regular schools. Excluded from the sampling frame 

were schools with a high grade of prekindergarten or kindergarten and ungraded schools, along with special 

education, vocational, and alternative/other schools; schools outside the 50 states and the District of Columbia; 

and schools with zero or missing enrollment. The public school sampling frame was stratified by level 

(elementary or secondary/combined), categories of enrollment size, and categories for percent of students 

eligible for free/reduced-price lunch. Schools in the frame were then sorted by locale7

 and region to induce 

additional implicit stratification. These variables are defined in more detail in the Definitions of Analysis 

Variables section of these Technical Notes. 

Data Collection and Response Rates 

Questionnaires and cover letters for the study were mailed to the principal of each sampled school in 

September 2008. The letter introduced the study and requested that the questionnaire be completed by the 

person most knowledgeable about educational technology within the school. Respondents were offered the 

option of completing the survey via the Web. Telephone follow-up for survey nonresponse and data 

clarification was initiated in early October 2008 and completed in July 2009. 

Of the 2,005 schools in the sample, 56 were found to be ineligible for the survey because they were closed, 

merged, or did not meet the eligibility requirements for inclusion (e.g., they were special education, vocational, 

or alternative schools). This left a total of 1,949 eligible schools in the sample. Completed questionnaires 

were received from 1,519 schools, or 78 percent of the eligible schools (table B-1). Of the schools that 

 

7

 The metro-centric locale variable from 2005–06 CCD was used in sampling. Estimates presented by Community type in this report are based 

on the urban-centric locale variable discussed further in the Definitions of Analysis Variables section of this report. 
B-4 

completed the survey, 61 percent completed it by Web, 33 percent completed it by mail, 6 percent completed it 

by fax, and less than 1 percent completed it by telephone. The weighted response rate was 79 percent. The 

weighted number of eligible schools in the survey represents the estimated universe of regular elementary and 

secondary schools in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.8

 

Table B-1. Number and percent of responding public schools in the study sample, and estimated 

number and percent of public schools the sample represents, by school characteristics: 

Fall 2008 

School characteristic

Respondent sample (unweighted) National estimate (weighted)

Number Percent Number Percent

All public schools .......................................................... 1,519 100 81,700 100

Instructional level1

Elementary........................................................................ 808 53 61,800 76

Secondary ......................................................................... 660 43 18,000 22

Enrollment size

Less than 300 ................................................................... 252 17 20,000 24

300 to 999 ........................................................................ 916 60 53,100 65

1,000 or more ................................................................... 351 23 8,700 11

Community type

City ................................................................................ 325 21 17,600 22

Suburban .......................................................................... 477 31 26,200 32

Town ................................................................................ 215 14 10,900 13

Rural ................................................................................ 502 33 27,100 33

Region

Northeast .......................................................................... 297 20 15,400 19

Southeast .......................................................................... 366 24 18,100 22

Central ............................................................................. 402 26 22,900 28

West ................................................................................. 454 30 25,300 31

Percent combined enrollment of Black, Hispanic, Asian/ 

Pacific Islander, or American Indian/Alaska Native 

students2

Less than 6 percent ........................................................... 320 21 17,900 22

6 to 20 percent .................................................................. 360 24 18,000 22

21 to 49 percent ................................................................ 362 24 18,800 23

50 percent or more ............................................................ 477 31 27,100 33

Percent of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch

Less than 35 percent ........................................................ 599 39 29,700 36

35 to 49 percent ............................................................... 260 17 13,000 16

50 to 74 percent ................................................................ 378 25 21,000 26

75 percent or more ............................................................ 282 19 18,100 22

1 Data for combined schools (those with both elementary and secondary grades) are included in the totals and in analyses by other school 

characteristics but are not shown separately. 

2 Black includes African American and Hispanic includes Latino. 

NOTE: Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding. 

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Response Survey System (FRSS), ―Educational 

Technology in U.S. Public Schools, Fall 2008,‖ FRSS 92, 2008; and Common Core of Data ―Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe 

Survey,‖ 2005–06.

 

8

 For more details about the development of survey weights, see the section of this report on Sampling Errors. 
B-5 

Imputation for Item Nonresponse 

Although item nonresponse for key items was very low, missing data were imputed for the items with a 

response rate of less than 100 percent (table B-2).9 The missing items included both numerical data such as the 

number of instructional computers that have Internet access, as well as categorical data such as whether the 

school used its district network or Internet access to provide access for students to online distance learning. 

The missing data were imputed using a ―hot-deck‖ approach to obtain a ―donor‖ school from which the 

imputed values were derived. Under the hot-deck approach, a donor school that matched selected 

characteristics of the school with missing data (the recipient school) was identified. The matching 

characteristics included instructional level, categories of enrollment size, region, categories for percent 

combined enrollment of Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, or American Indian/Alaska Native students, 

categories for percent of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, district size, and district poverty 

level. In addition, relevant questionnaire items were used to form appropriate imputation groupings. Once a 

donor was found, it was used to obtain the imputed values for the school with missing data. For categorical 

items, the imputed value was simply the corresponding value from the donor school. For numerical items, an 

appropriate ratio (e.g., proportion of instructional computers that have Internet access) was calculated for the 

donor school, and this ratio was applied to available data (e.g., reported number of instructional computers) for 

the recipient school to obtain the corresponding imputed value. 

Table B-2. Percent of cases with imputed data in the respondent sample, and percent of cases with 

imputed data the sample represents, by questionnaire item: Fall 2008 

Questionnaire item

Respondent 

sample

(unweighted)

National 

estimate

(weighted)

Question 2: Types of Instructional Computers

Q2A Number of instructional computers: desktops....................................................................................... 0.13 0.08

Q2B Number of instructional computers: laptops/notebooks....................................................................... 0.13 0.08

Q2C Number of instructional computers: other computer types, such as tablet PCs.................................... 0.13 0.08

Question 3: Location of Instructional Computers

Q3A Number of instructional computers: laptop computers on carts ........................................................... 0.66 0.56

Q3B Number of instructional computers: located in classrooms (excluding laptops on carts) .................... 0.86 0.64

Q3C Number of instructional computers: located in computer labs (excluding laptops on carts) ............... 0.86 0.64

Q3D Number of instructional computers: located in library-media center(s) (excluding laptops on 

carts)..................................................................................................................................................... 0.86 0.64

Q3E Number of instructional computers: located at another location (excluding laptops on carts) ............ 0.86 0.64

Question 4: Characteristics of Instructional Computers

Q4A Number of instructional computers that have internet access............................................................... 0.20 0.21

Q4B Number of instructional computers that are available for students to take home................................. 0.13 0.15

Q4C Number of instructional computers that are less than 1 year old .......................................................... 0.20 0.22

Question 5: Operating System(s) or Platform(s) Used on Instructional Computers

Q5C System(s) or platform(s) used on the instructional computers: Windows NT or 2000 ........................ 0.07 0.05

Question 6: Handheld Devices

Q6B Number of handheld devices provided by your school for teachers..................................................... 0.07 0.05

Q6C Number of handheld devices provided for students to use in specific classes ..................................... 0.07 0.05

Q6D Number of handheld devices provided by your school for students to use the entire school day....... 0.07 0.05

See notes at end of table. 

 

9

 Per NCES standards, all missing questionnaire data are imputed. 
B-6 

Table B-2. Percent of cases with imputed data in the respondent sample, and percent of cases with 

imputed data the sample represents, by questionnaire item: Fall 2008—Continued 

Questionnaire item

Respondent 

sample

(unweighted)

National 

estimate

(weighted)

Question 7: Technology Devices Used for Instruction

Q7A Number of LCD and DLP projectors provided by your school for instruction ................................... 0.26 0.23

Q7B Number of videoconference units provided by your school for instruction ........................................ 0.07 0.02

Q7C Number of interactive whiteboards (e.g., SMART Boards, Activboards) provided by your 

school for instruction .......................................................................................................................... 0.26 0.23

Q7D Number of classroom response systems; count number of classroom sets provided by your 

school for instruction .......................................................................................................................... 0.26 0.26

Q7E Number of digital cameras (still and video) provided by your school for instruction ......................... 0.13 0.06

Q7F Number of MP3 players/iPods provided by your school for instruction ............................................. 0.07 0.02

Q7G Number of document cameras provided by your school for instruction .............................................. 0.07 0.02

Question 8: Wireless Network Access

Q8 Describe the wireless network access in your school ........................................................................... 0.07 0.12

Question 9: District Network or Internet Access Used for Teaching and Learning Activities

Q9A District network or Internet access used for teaching and learning: Two-way teleconferencing, 

e.g., videoconferencing ....................................................................................................................... 0.07 0.02

Q9B District network or Internet access used for teaching and learning: Telecommunications (voice 

over IP) ............................................................................................................................................... 0.20 0.20

Q9C District network or Internet access used for teaching and learning: Online student assessment 

provided by your school or district ..................................................................................................... 0.07 0.02

Q9D District network or Internet access used for teaching and learning: Access for students to online 

distance learning ................................................................................................................................. 0.20 0.19

Q9E District network or Internet access used for teaching and learning: Standardized assessment 

results and data for teachers to use to individualize instruction ........................................................ 0.20 0.13

Q9F District network or Internet access used for teaching and learning: Data to inform instructional 

planning at the school level ................................................................................................................ 0.13 0.09

Q9G District network or Internet access used for teaching and learning: Online professional 

development provided by your school or district ............................................................................... 0.07 0.02

Q9H District network or Internet access used for teaching and learning: High-quality digital content 

(i.e., web-based learning materials or any text, images, sounds, and video that have been 

digitized) ............................................................................................................................................. 0.07 0.02

Question 10: Timeframe for Resolving Computer Related Issues

Q10A Time it usually takes to: get a computer repaired at your school ......................................................... 0.13 0.22

Q10D Time it usually takes to: get curricular support for teachers who need help with integrating 

technology into the curriculum at your school ................................................................................... 0.13 0.18

Question 11: Full-time Staff Responsible for Technology Support and/or Technology Integration

Q11 Is there a full-time person in your school whose only responsibility is technology support and/or 

technology integration? ...................................................................................................................... 0.07 0.03

Question 12: Extent of Helping School Staff with Technology Integration or Technical Support

Q12ACOL1 Extent district-level technology staff helps school staff integrate technology into instruction ........... 0.07 0.02

Q12BCOL1 Extent school-level technology staff helps school staff integrate technology into instruction ........... 0.07 0.08

Q12CCOL1 Extent school-level administrators help school staff integrate technology into instruction ................ 0.07 0.03

Q12DCOL1 Extent teachers help school staff integrate technology into instruction ............................................... 0.07 0.09

Q12FCOL1 Extent vendor(s) help school staff integrate technology into instruction ............................................ 0.13 0.13

Q12BCOL2 Extent school-level technology staff provides technical support ......................................................... 0.07 0.08

Q12CCOL2 Extent school-level administrators provide technical support ............................................................. 0.13 0.07

Q12ECOL2 Extent library media specialists provide technical support .................................................................. 0.07 0.07

Q12FCOL2 Extent Vendor(s) provide technical support ......................................................................................... 0.07 0.03

See notes at end of table. 
B-7 

Table B-2. Percent of cases with imputed data in the respondent sample, and percent of cases with 

imputed data the sample represents, by questionnaire item: Fall 2008—Continued 

Questionnaire item

Respondent 

sample

(unweighted)

National 

estimate

(weighted)

Question 13: Extent of Agreement or Disagreement with Statements on Educational Technology in School

Q13A Agreement with: Teachers are sufficiently trained in technology usage ............................................. 0.07 0.12

Q13E Agreement with: Technology is a priority of the district administration ............................................. 0.13 0.17

Q13F Agreement with: Technology infrastructure is adequate (e.g., adequate Internet speeds) .................. 0.07 0.09

Q13G Agreement with: Technical support for educational technology is adequate ...................................... 0.20 0.23

Q13H Agreement with: Funding for educational technology is adequate ...................................................... 0.07 0.12

Q13I Agreement with: Funding for educational technology is being spent in the most appropriate 

ways .................................................................................................................................................... 0.07 0.10

Q13J Agreement with: Use of educational technology is adversely affected by competing priorities in 

the classroom ...................................................................................................................................... 0.13 0.27

Question 14: Instructional Classrooms

Q14 Total number of instructional classrooms in your school -Exclude library media centers and 

computer labs ........................................................................................................................................ 0.26 0.30

NOTE: Data were imputed using hot-deck imputation procedures. 

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Response Survey System (FRSS), ―Educational 

Technology in U.S. Public Schools, Fall 2008,‖ FRSS 92, 2008.

Data Reliability 

Although the Educational Technology in Public Schools survey was designed to account for sampling error 

and to minimize nonsampling error, estimates produced from the data collected are subject to both types of 

error. Sampling error occurs because the data are collected from a sample rather than a census of the 

population, and nonsampling errors are errors made during the collection and processing of the data. 

Sampling Errors 

The responses were weighted to produce national estimates (table B-1). The weights were designed to reflect 

the variable probabilities of selection of the sampled schools and were adjusted for differential unit 

(questionnaire) nonresponse. The nonresponse weighting adjustments were made within classes defined by 

variables correlated with response propensity: instructional level (elementary or secondary/combined), 

categories of enrollment size, categories for percent of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, and 

locale. Within the final weighting classes, the base weights (i.e., the reciprocal of schools’ probabilities of 

selection) of the responding schools were inflated by the inverse of the weighted response rate for the class. 

The findings in this report are estimates based on the sample selected and, consequently, are subject to 

sampling variability. General sampling theory was used to estimate the sampling variability of the estimates 

and to test for statistically significant differences between estimates. 

The standard error is a measure of the variability of an estimate due to sampling. It indicates the variability of 

a sample estimate that would be obtained from all possible samples of a given design and size. Standard errors 

are used as a measure of the precision expected from a particular sample. If all possible samples were 

surveyed under similar conditions, intervals of 1.96 standard errors below to 1.96 standard errors above a 

particular statistic would include the true population parameter being estimated in about 95 percent of the 

samples. This is a 95 percent confidence interval. For example, the estimated percent of public elementary 

and secondary schools that have laptop computers on carts for instructional use is 57.5 percent, and the 

standard error is 1.3 percent (tables 1 and 1a). The 95 percent confidence interval for the statistic extends from 
B-8 

[57.5 – (1.3 x 1.96)] to [57.5 + (1.3 x 1.96)], or from 55.0 to 60.0 percent. The 1.96 is the critical value for a 

statistical test at the 0.05 significance level (where 0.05 indicates the 5 percent of all possible samples that 

would be outside the range of the confidence interval). 

Because the data from the FRSS educational technology survey were collected using a complex sampling 

design, the variances of the estimates from this survey (e.g., estimates of proportions) are typically different 

from what would be expected from data collected with a simple random sample. Not taking the complex 

sample design into account can lead to an underestimation of the standard errors associated with such 

estimates. To generate accurate standard errors for the estimates in this report, standard errors were computed 

using a technique known as jackknife replication. As with any replication method, jackknife replication 

involves constructing a number of subsamples (replicates) from the full sample and computing the statistic of 

interest for each replicate. The mean square error of the replicate estimates around the full sample estimate 

provides an estimate of the variance of the statistic. To construct the replications, 50 stratified subsamples of 

the full sample were created and then dropped one at a time to define 50 jackknife replicates. A computer 

program (WesVar) was used to calculate the estimates of standard errors. 

All specific statements of comparisons made in this report have been tested for statistical significance at the 

.05 level using Student’s t-statistic to ensure that the differences are larger than those that might be expected 

due to sampling variation. Adjustments for multiple comparisons were not included. Student’s t values were 

computed to test the difference between estimates with the following formula: 

2

2

2

1

1 2

se se

E E

t







where E1 and E2 are the estimates to be compared and se1 and se2 are their corresponding standard errors. 

Many of the variables examined are related to one another, and complex interactions and relationships have not 

been explored. 

Nonsampling Errors 

Nonsampling error is the term used to describe variations in the estimates that may be caused by population 

coverage limitations and data collection, processing, and reporting procedures. The sources of nonsampling 

errors are typically problems like unit and item nonresponse, differences in respondents’ interpretations of the 

meaning of questions, response differences related to the particular time the survey was conducted, and 

mistakes made during data preparation. It is difficult to identify and estimate either the amount of 

nonsampling error or the bias caused by this error. To minimize the potential for nonsampling error, this study 

used a variety of procedures, including a pretest of the questionnaire with technology specialists for elementary 

and secondary schools. The pretest provided the opportunity to check for consistency of interpretation of 

questions and definitions and to eliminate ambiguous items. The questionnaire and instructions were also 

extensively reviewed by NCES and the data requester at the Office of Educational Technology. In addition, 

manual and machine editing of the questionnaire responses were conducted to check the data for accuracy and 

consistency. Cases with missing or inconsistent items were recontacted by telephone to resolve problems. 

Data were keyed with 100 percent verification for surveys received by mail, fax, or telephone. 

One potential source of nonsampling error is nonresponse bias. NCES statistical standards and guidelines 

require a nonresponse bias analysis if the unit response rate at any stage of data collection is less than 85 

percent. For this survey, nonresponse occurred when an eligible sampled school did not complete the school 

questionnaire. The overall unweighted and weighted response rates are 78 and 79 percent, respectively. 

Therefore, a nonresponse bias analysis was conducted for the survey. The analysis looked for potential 

nonresponse biases and examined whether any additional weighting adjustments for nonresponse beyond the 

usual FRSS procedures should be considered. 
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The analysis included an examination of response rates by the classification variables (school characteristics) 

and a comparison of the base-weighted distributions of school characteristics for the total sample versus the 

respondents. School characteristics where the response rates varied significantly for subgroups were identified. 

Next, comparisons were made of data before and after the standard FRSS nonresponse adjustments were made 

to the weights. These comparisons involved distributions of respondents by school characteristics, estimates of 

CCD data items, and selected survey results. 

The analysis found that response rates varied significantly by locale, region, race/ethnicity status (defined by 

percent combined enrollment of Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, or American Indian/Alaska Native), 

and enrollment size. To compensate for the differential survey response rates, weight adjustments were 

developed and applied to the base weights. In general, such weight adjustments will reduce nonresponse bias if 

the variables used in forming the weight adjustment classes are correlated with response propensity (the 

probability that a sampled school will respond to the survey) and with the characteristics obtained from the 

survey. 

There are reasons to believe that the nonresponse-adjusted weights developed for the survey will be reasonably 

effective in reducing potential biases. First, the weight adjustments removed most of the disparities between 

the weighted distributions of the respondents and the distributions of the total sample. Although some 

differences were not eliminated completely (i.e., by locale), the differences do not seem to be large enough to 

have a material impact on the weighted estimates derived from the survey. For example, for elementary 

schools, the mean absolute relative bias across the categories of variables included in the nonresponse bias 

analysis went from 4.3 percent before adjustment to 2.1 percent after adjustment. Similarly, for 

secondary/combined schools, the mean absolute relative bias across all categories went from 5.2 percent before 

adjustment to 2.2 percent after adjustment. A comparison of weighted estimates of selected characteristics 

available in the CCD files also seems to support the supposition that the nonresponse adjustments were 

effective in reducing biases. Except for some district-level attributes (which were not controlled for in the 

weighting process), the weight adjustment procedures eliminated or reduced the difference between the 

nonresponse-adjusted estimate for the respondent sample and the corresponding base-weighted estimate for the 

selected sample. Further evidence of the potential bias reductions for numeric variables is given by a 

comparison of weighted estimates of selected survey items before and after nonresponse adjustment, where it 

was found that for numeric variables related to counts of computers or devices, the nonresponse-adjusted 

estimates were generally greater than the corresponding base-weighted estimates prior to adjustment. Since the 

responding schools tend to be smaller and less urban than the population as a whole, the observed differences 

suggest that the unadjusted estimates understate the values of these types of numeric variables. 

 

Although it is possible to conduct more in-depth analysis and possibly refine the weighting procedures, the 

results of this analysis suggested that any potential improvements would be modest at best. Therefore, NCES 

determined that no additional analysis or adjustments to the weights was needed. Additional information about 

the nonresponse bias analysis is available in the survey documentation for the forthcoming public-use data file 

(NCES 2010–037). 

Definitions of Analysis Variables 

Many of the school characteristics, described below, may be related to each other. For example, school 

enrollment size and community type are related, with city schools typically being larger than rural schools. 

Other relationships between these analysis variables may exist. However, this First Look report focuses on 

national estimates and bivariate relationships between the analysis variables and questionnaire variables rather 

than more complex analyses. 

Instructional Level—This variable is based on the grades reported in question 16 on the survey questionnaire. 

There was no item nonresponse for this question. Data for combined schools (those with both elementary and 
B-10

secondary grades as defined below) are included in the totals and in analyses by other school characteristics, 

but are not shown separately. Thus, data are reported for the categories below. 

Elementary school—Had grade 6 or lower and no grade higher than grade 8 

Secondary school—Had no grade lower than grade 7 and had grade 7 or higher 

Enrollment Size—This variable indicates the total number of students enrolled in the school based on data 

from the 2005–06 CCD School Universe file. There were no missing data for the responding schools. The 

variable was collapsed into the three categories below. 

Less than 300 students

300 to 999 students

1,000 or more students 

Community Type—This variable indicates the type of community in which the school is located, as defined 

in the 2005–06 CCD Public School Locale Code file. These codes identify the geographic status of a school 

based on a school’s physical address. This classification system is referred to as the "urban-centric" 

classification system to distinguish it from the previous "metro-centric" classification system. The urbancentric locale codes are assigned through a methodology developed by the U.S. Census Bureau’s Population 

Division in 2005. This classification system has four major locale categories—city, suburban, town, and 

rural—each of which is subdivided into three subcategories. These 12 categories are based on several key 

concepts that Census uses to define an area's urbanicity: principal city, urbanized area, and urban cluster, as 

discussed below. 

 A principal city is a city that contains the primary population and economic center of a metropolitan 

statistical area, which, in turn, is defined as one or more contiguous counties that have a "core" area with a 

large population nucleus and adjacent communities that are highly integrated economically or socially 

with the core. 

 Urbanized areas and urban clusters are densely settled "cores" of Census-defined blocks with adjacent 

densely settled surrounding areas. Core areas with populations of 50,000 or more are designated as 

urbanized areas; those with populations between 25,000 and 50,000 are designated as urban clusters. Rural 

areas are designated by Census as those areas that do not lie inside an urbanized area or urban cluster. 

The variable used in this report was based on the 12-category urban-centric locale variable from CCD and 

collapsed into the four categories below. There were no missing data for the responding schools. 

City—Territory inside an urbanized area and inside a principal city

Suburban—Territory outside a principal city and inside an urbanized area

Town—Territory inside an urban cluster 

Rural—Territory outside an urbanized area and outside an urban cluster

Region—This variable classifies schools into one of the four geographic regions used by the Bureau of 

Economic Analysis of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Data were obtained from the 2005–06 CCD School 

Universe file. There were no missing data for the responding schools. The variable was collapsed into the four 

categories below. 

Northeast—Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New 

Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont 

Southeast—Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, 

South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia 

Central—Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, 

Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin 
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West—Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, 

Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming 

Percent Combined Enrollment of Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, or American Indian/Alaska 

Native students—This variable indicates the percentage of students enrolled in the school whose race or 

ethnicity is classified as one of the categories below based on data in the 2005–06 CCD School Universe file. 

 American Indian/Alaska Native is defined in CCD as a person having origins in any of the 

original peoples of North America and who maintains cultural identification through tribal 

affiliation or community recognition. American Indian includes Alaska Native. 

 Asian/Pacific Islander is defined in CCD as a person having origins in any of the original peoples 

of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, or the Pacific Islands. This includes, for 

example, China, India, Japan, Korea, the Philippine Islands, and Samoa. Asian includes Native 

Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. 

 Black, non-Hispanic is defined in CCD as a person having origins in any of the black racial 

groups of Africa. Black includes African American. 

 Hispanic is defined in CCD as a person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South 

American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. Hispanic includes Latino. 

 

There were no missing data for the responding schools. This variable was collapsed into the four categories 

below for the report. 

Less than 6 percent 

6 to 20 percent 

21 to 49 percent 

50 percent or more 

Percent of Students Eligible for Free or Reduced-Price Lunch— This item serves as a measure of the 

concentration of poverty at the school. This variable is based on responses to question 15 on the survey 

questionnaire. If question 15 was not answered, this variable was obtained from the 2005–06 CCD School 

Universe file. Data were available for all responding schools from either question 15 or CCD. This variable 

was collapsed into the four categories below. 

Less than 35 percent

35 to 49 percent

50 to 74 percent

75 percent or more

Definitions of Terms Used in This Report 

The following is the exact wording of the definitions that were included on the questionnaire. 

Technology: Information technology such as computers, devices that can be attached to computers 

(e.g., LCD projector, interactive whiteboard, digital camera), networks (e.g., Internet, local networks), 

and computer software. We specifically are not including non-computer technologies such as 

overhead projectors and VCRs.
B-12

Classroom response system: Wireless system allowing a teacher to pose a question and students to 

respond using ―clickers‖ or hand-held response pads, with responses compiled on a computer. 

Document camera: Device that transmits images of 2- or 3-dimensional objects, text, or graphics to 

a computer monitor or LCD projector. 

Descriptions of the acronyms for the following were not included on the questionnaire. 

LCD projector: Liquid Crystal Display. 

DLP projector: Digital Light Processing. 

Windows ME: Millennium Edition. 

Voice over IP (Internet Protocol): Technology, also referred to as VoIP, used to make voice calls 

via a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. Some VoIP services 

can only be used to call other people using the same service, but other services can be used to call 

anyone who has a telephone number. Calls can be transmitted directly from a computer, a special 

VoIP phone, or a traditional phone connected to a VoIP adapter.10

Contact Information 

For more information about the survey, contact Peter Tice, Early Childhood, International, and 

Crosscutting Studies Division, National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, 

U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006, e-mail: peter.tice@ed.gov; 

telephone: (202) 502-7497. 

 

10 This is based on the definition provided by the Federal Communications Commission at http://www.fcc.gov/voip/. 
C-1 

Appendix C 

Questionnaire
This page intentionally left blank. 
Information Copy - Do Not Complete C-3 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FORM APPROVED 

NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS O.M.B. No.: 1850–0733

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006–5651 EXPIRATION DATE: 10/2009

 EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY IN U.S. PUBLIC SCHOOLS, FALL 2008 

FAST RESPONSE SURVEY SYSTEM

This survey is authorized by law (P.L. 103-382). While participation in this survey is voluntary, your cooperation is critical 

to make the results of this survey comprehensive, accurate, and timely. Your answers may be used only for statistical 

purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose unless otherwise compelled by 

law. (Public Law 107-279, Education Sciences Reform Act, Section 183.) 

Please answer this survey using Fall 2008 information. 

Definitions 

Technology: Information technology such as computers, devices that can be attached to computers (e.g., LCD projector, 

interactive whiteboard, digital camera), networks (e.g., Internet, local networks), and computer software. We specifically 

are not including non-computer technologies such as overhead projectors and VCRs. 

Classroom response system: Wireless system allowing a teacher to pose a question and students to respond using 

“clickers” or hand-held response pads, with responses compiled on a computer. 

Document camera: Device that transmits images of 2- or 3-dimensional objects, text, or graphics to a computer monitor 

or LCD projector. 

IF ABOVE SCHOOL INFORMATION IS INCORRECT, PLEASE UPDATE DIRECTLY ON LABEL. 

Name of Person Completing This Form: ________________________________________________________________ 

Title/Position: _____________________________________________________________________________________ 

Telephone Number: ___________________________________ Email: ______________________________________ 

Best days and times to reach you (in case of questions): ___________________________________________________ 

THANK YOU. PLEASE KEEP A COPY OF THE SURVEY FOR YOUR RECORDS. 

PLEASE RETURN COMPLETED FORM TO: IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, CONTACT: 

Mail: Cindy Gray (8096.12.03) Cindy Gray at Westat 

 Westat 800-937-8281, Ext. 4336 or 301-251-4336 

 1650 Research Boulevard Email: cgray@westat.com 

 Rockville, Maryland 20850-3195

Fax: 800-254-0984 

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB 

control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1850-0733. The time required to complete this information collection is 

estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and 

complete and review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate or suggestions for improving 

this form, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC 20202-4651. If you have any comments or concerns regarding the status of 

your individual submission of this form, write directly to: National Center for Education Statistics, 1990 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006. 

FRSS 92, 09/2008
C-4 Information Copy - Do Not Complete

Please answer this survey using Fall 2008 information. 

1. How many computers does your school have (for instructional or administrative use)? Do not include handheld 

devices (e.g., Palm OS, Windows CE, Pocket PC, BlackBerry). Count all other computers, including those used by 

students, teachers, school administrators, and other school staff. Include both laptops on carts and computers 

available for students to take home. (If none, enter 0. Row a should equal row b plus row c.)

a. Total number of computers ..................................................................... _________

b. Number for administrative use only......................................................... _________

c. Number for instructional use (used for instruction all or part of the time) _________

2. Of the instructional computers reported in question 1c, how many are in each of the categories below? 

 (If none, enter 0. The sum of questions 2a-c should equal question 1c.) 

a. Desktops ................................................................................................. _________

b. Laptops/notebooks ................................................................................... _________

c. Other computer types, such as tablet PCs (specify) _______________ _________

d. Total (this total should equal the number of instructional computers 

in question 1, row c) ................................................................................. _________

3. Of the instructional computers reported in question 1c, how many are in each of the categories below? 

Report computers located in labs in row c, even if the lab is located in the library/media center. 

 (If none, enter 0. The sum of questions 3a-e should equal question 1c.)

a. Laptop computers on carts....................................................................... _________

b. Located in classrooms (excluding laptops on carts) .............................. _________

c. Located in computer labs (excluding laptops on carts) .......................... _________

d. Located in library/media center(s) (excluding laptops on carts) ............ _________

e. Other location (excluding laptops on carts); specify _______________ _________

f. Total (this total should equal the number of instructional computers 

in question 1, row c) ................................................................................. _________

4. Of the instructional computers reported in question 1c, how many: (If none, enter 0.) 

a. Have Internet access ............................................................................... _________

b. Are available for students to take home ................................................... _________

c. Are less than 1 year old ........................................................................... _________

5. Which operating system(s) or platform(s) are used on the instructional computers within your school? 

(Indicate yes or no on each line.) 

Yes No

a. Windows 3.1 or DOS.............................................................................. 1 2

b. Windows 95, 98, or ME.......................................................................... 1 2

c. Windows NT or 2000.............................................................................. 1 2

d. Windows XP........................................................................................... 1 2

e. Windows Vista........................................................................................ 1 2

f. Mac OS 10 or higher.............................................................................. 1 2

g. Mac OS 9 or earlier................................................................................ 1 2

h. Other operating system, e.g., Linux (specify) ___________________ 1 2
C-5 Information Copy - Do Not Complete

6. How many handheld devices (e.g., Palm OS, Windows CE, Pocket PC, BlackBerry) does your school provide to 

administrators, teachers, and students? Exclude classroom response systems (“clickers”). (If none, enter 0.)

a. For administrators .................................................................................... _________

b. For teachers ............................................................................................. _________

c. For students to use in specific classes .................................................... _________

d. For students to use the entire school day ................................................ _________

7. For each of the following devices, please report the number that your school provides for instruction. 

(If none, enter 0.) 

a. LCD and DLP projectors ....................................................................................................................__________

b. Videoconference units........................................................................................................................__________

c. Interactive whiteboards (e.g., SMART Boards, Activboards).............................................................__________

d. Classroom response systems; count number of classroom sets (definition on cover)......................__________

e. Digital cameras (still and video).........................................................................................................__________

f. MP3 players/iPods .............................................................................................................................__________

g. Document cameras (definition on cover) ...........................................................................................__________

8. Which of the following best describes the wireless network access in your school? (Circle only one.) 

No wireless network access of any kind ............................................................................................. 1 

The only wireless connections are from laptops to a cart, with the cart connected to a wall port ...... 2 

Wireless network access is available in part of the school ................................................................. 3 

Wireless network access is available in the whole school ................................................................. 4 

9. Does your school use its district network or Internet access to provide the following for teaching and learning? 

(Indicate yes or no on each line.) 

Yes No

a. Two-way teleconferencing, e.g., videoconferencing................................................................. 1 2

b. Telecommunications (voice over IP) ........................................................................................ 1 2

c. Online student assessment provided by your school or district................................................ 1 2

d. Access for students to online distance learning........................................................................ 1 2

e. Standardized assessment results and data for teachers to use to individualize instruction .... 1 2

f. Data to inform instructional planning at the school level........................................................... 1 2

g. Online professional development provided by your school or district....................................... 1 2

h. High-quality digital content (i.e., web-based learning materials or any text, images, sounds, 

and video that have been digitized) ......................................................................................... 1 2

10. At your school, how long does it usually take to: (Circle one on each line.) 

Less 

than 1 

hour

1 to 8 

hours

2 to 5 

days

1 to 3 

weeks

A month 

or more

a. Get a computer repaired .................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5

b. Get help on a software problem or question...................................... 1 2 3 4 5

c. Get network services restored when the network goes down ........... 1 2 3 4 5

d. Get curricular support for teachers who need help with 

integrating technology into the curriculum ......................................... 1 2 3 4 5

11. Is there someone in your school full-time whose only responsibility is technology support and/or technology 

integration? 

Yes..... 1 No...... 2 
C-6 Information Copy - Do Not Complete

12. Please provide the following information: 

In part 1, indicate the extent that people in each role help school staff integrate technology into instruction. 

In part 2, indicate the extent that people in each role provide technical support for educational technology in your 

school (e.g., troubleshooting/maintenance for hardware, software, or networks). 

(Circle one for integration and one for technical support on each line.) 

Role

1. Help school staff integrate 

technology into instruction 2. Provide technical support

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

Not 

at all

Minor 

extent

Moderate 

extent

Major 

extent

a. District-level technology staff .................... 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

b. School-level technology staff .................... 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

c. School-level administrators....................... 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

d. Teachers ................................................... 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

e. Library media specialists........................... 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

f. Vendor(s)................................................... 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

g. Students .................................................... 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

h. Parents or non-staff 

volunteers.................................................. 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

i. Other (specify for each part): ....................

1. Integration: _____________________

2. Technical: _________________ _____

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

13. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each of the following statements as it relates to using 

educational technology in the instructional program at your school. (Circle one on each line.) 

Strongly 

disagree

Somewhat 

disagree

Somewhat 

agree

Strongly 

agree

a. Teachers are sufficiently trained in technology usage....................... 1 2 3 4

b. Teachers are sufficiently trained to integrate technology into 

classroom instruction ......................................................................... 1 2 3 4

c. Teachers are interested in using technology in classroom 

instruction........................................................................................... 1 2 3 4

d. Teachers construct lessons in which students use a range of 

educational technologies.................................................................... 1 2 3 4

e. Technology is a priority of the district administration ......................... 1 2 3 4

f. Technology infrastructure is adequate (e.g., adequate Internet 

speeds)............................................................................................... 1 2 3 4

g. Technical support for educational technology is adequate................ 1 2 3 4

h. Funding for educational technology is adequate ............................... 1 2 3 4

i. Funding for educational technology is being spent in the most 

appropriate ways................................................................................ 1 2 3 4

j. Use of educational technology is adversely affected by 

competing priorities in the classroom................................................. 1 2 3 4

14. What is the total number of instructional classrooms in your school? Exclude library media centers and computer 

labs. ________ Number of classrooms 

15. What percent of the students in your school are eligible for the federally funded free or reduced-price lunch program? 

(If none, enter 0.) ________ % 

16. Which of the following grades are taught at your school? (Circle all that apply.) 

PK K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Ungraded