Learning Improvement Study

Learning Improvement Study

San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD)

Summary

Grades: 9-11

Subjects: Reading, Science, Social Studies

Test: Stanford Achievement Test, Ninth Edition

Pre/Posttest: Spring 1999 and Spring 2000

Results: Percentile gains were reported in eight of nine areas (three grades

in three subjects). The ninth group showed no gain/loss.

Background and Goals

Following an extensive evaluation process, TCR was adopted for district-wide implementation by San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) in 1997 to:

integrate district and national information literacy standards into all subject areas
promote collaboration among technology/media and teachers
increase use of technology in core high school subjects--social studies, science and language arts

Implementation Milestones

district implementation and staff development plan developed/coordinated through Ann Dalton, Program Administrator, Textbooks, Libraries, and Media Services
staff development sessions held for grade 9-12 teachers
workshops for school administrators
collaborative workshops for teams of media specialists with social studies teachers
workshops for social studies chairpersons and other teacher leaders to share with staff at their sites, using a train-the-trainer model
teachers developed model lessons to integrate content-area reading strategies and information problem solving into core content areas

Student Impact (data made available from SFUSD Office of District Assessment & Accountability)

While neither SFUSD nor TCR claim that any single isolated factor can be given full credit for improved student achievement, the implementation of TCR represented a major thrust in SFUSD efforts to integrate technology, content area reading strategies, and information literacy in grades 9-12 for social studies, science and language arts.

In summary, percentile gains from 1999 to 2000 were reported in 8 of 9 areas measured.

	Reading			Science			Social Studies
	1999	2000	Diff	1999	2000	Diff	1999	2000	Diff
Grade 9	42	42	+1	49	51	+2	49	52	+3
Grade 10	38	38	---	48	50	+2	41	44	+3
Grade 11	41	43	+2	50	52	+2	59	61	+2

Commentary

"TCR gives us the student and teacher resources we need to help our students develop information literacy and lifelong learning skills. It is not surprising that these skills contribute to improved academic achievement!"

" We also found that teachers who are reluctant technology users find TCR an ideal, non-threatening way to begin integrating technology into the curriculum."

Ann Dalton, Program Administrator

Textbooks, Libraries and Media Services

San Francisco Unified School District