Technology Counts '98 also includes a survey of the 50 states' policies on education technology. Most states are appropriating money for technology each year. Without policy changes focused on increasing effectiveness, technology risks becoming another lost educational opportunity. In addition to students' scores, the NAEP data include teachers' responses to questions about technology use, teacher training and school climate. After controlling for the influence of other factors that affect achievement, such as students' socioeconomic status, class size, and teacher qualifications, Wenglinsky found links among certain kinds of technology use, higher student achievement, and better school climate.
School climate includes teacher and student attendance, tardiness, and morale.
His research is the first to document these relationships on a standardized test given to a nationally representative sample of students. Until now, most studies on computer use were restricted to observations in a much smaller number of classrooms. But those benefits depend on how the technology is used. A simulation can illustrate relationships and allow students to test the effects of changing variables. An application such as a spreadsheet program lets students manipulate and analyze data.