RD143 - Annual Report on the Implementation of the Educational Technology Initiative


Executive Summary:
Virginia's Web-based Standards of Learning (SOL) Technology Initiative is beginning its seventh year of implementation. Its goal is for Web-based systems to improve SOL instructional, remedial, and testing capabilities in high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools. The initiative has four objectives:

1.Provide at least one computer for every five students
2. Create Internet-ready local area network capabilities in every school
3. Assure adequate high-speed, high-bandwidth capabilities for instructional, remedial, and testing needs
4. Establish a statewide Web-based SOL test delivery system

As detailed in previous annual reports, the Virginia Department of Education (DOE), with assistance from the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA), implemented a formal project management structure at the outset to ensure successful project completion. The DOE still employs that structure while guiding school divisions toward completion of the four objectives.

Financial Support for the Initiative

Funding for year six was generated by proceeds from the Series VI Technology Equipment Notes, sold by the Virginia Public School Authority (VPSA) in May 2006. As a result, school divisions had access to approximately $58,600,000 to improve technology infrastructure. These funds increased the total statewide investment in technology infrastructure for the initiative to more than $347,600,000.

Table 1 shows a summary of the annual investments to date, based on an allocation of $26,000 per school and $50,000 per school division. This formula has remained constant since the start of the initiative.

(Table 1. Annual Investment in the Web-based Standards of Learning (SOL) Technology Initiative can be viewed in the full report.)

Achieving Readiness for the Web-based SOL Technology Initiative

The Commonwealth launched the initiative in July 2000 and introduced preliminary architectural guidelines for high schools in January 2001 followed by permanent guidelines in July 200 1. In 2004, the certification procedures were revised to include middle and elementary schools, higher minimum specifications for newly purchased technology equipment, a more manageable process for determining a division's technical capacity to administer online SOL tests, and the flexibility to certify multiple school levels simultaneously.

All 132 Virginia school divisions have achieved the first two stages of High School Readiness Certification. As of August 2006, 97 divisions (73 percent) have attained Middle School Readiness Certification; 42 of these (32 percent of all divisions) have realized Elementary School Readiness Certification. The specific divisions with Middle School and Elementary School Readiness Certification are listed in Chapter 2.

School Division Participation

All 132 divisions use state funding to upgrade technical infrastructure, improve student-to-computer ratio, and achieve School Readiness Certification. All divisions participated in the 2006 SOL online testing. Since the first online test administration in fall 2001, the number of divisions participating in End-of-Course (EOC) online SOL testing has increased (see Figure 1).

(Figure 1. Number of School Divisions Administering Online SOL Tests can be viewed in the full report.)

In spring 2006, divisions administered significantly more online SOL tests (see Figure 2). While divisions still have the option of using paper/pencil tests, the DOE encourages them to administer their SOL tests online. Divisions that implement online SOL testing typically request permission to administer additional online tests at the next opportunity.

(Figure 2. Number of Online SOL Tests Administered can be viewed in the full report.)

Increased Availability of Online Testing

Over the course of the initiative, the number of online tests has continually increased (see Table 2). In spring 2006, all middle school tests except the eighth-grade History and Social Science Test were available online. The History and Social Science Test will not be posted online due to the declining number of school divisions administering it.

(Table 2. Schedule of Online Test Administration can be viewed in the full report.)

The DOE has developed new tests to meet the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) mandate of conducting annual reading and mathematics assessments for all students in grades three through eight. Expanding on last year's online test offerings, the DOE placed online the new Mathematics and Reading tests for grades three through eight in spring 2006.

Future Activities

Implementation of the Web-based SOL Technology Initiative continues to progress as initially planned. Figure 3 shows a high-level timeline of the initiative as planned through spring 2009.

(Figure 3. High-Level Timeline of the Web-based SOL Technology Initiative through Spring 2009 can be viewed in the full report.)

Feedback from school division personnel indicates the volume of online SOL tests will continue to increase in the coming year. The DOE will support and monitor the School Readiness Certification process as divisions prepare middle and elementary schools for technical certification.

Report Format

The remainder of this report addresses specific elements of the initiative implementation. Each chapter provides additional details regarding information presented in the Executive Summary.