ClassLink recently had the opportunity to speak with Jeanne Hayes, The Hayes Connection, regarding Project Red, a comprehensive national survey being conducted to analyze what is working in technology transformed schools and to demonstrate how technology can save money for school districts.  The results of this important data gathering and analysis will be released in a report in February 2010. The deadline to participate in the Project Red survey has been extended until 12/31/09 .

Hayes established The Hayes Connection in 2005 and consults to both established and start-up education market companies and school districts.  A former educator, Hayes draws on 30 years of strategic insights gained from building a business, creating high quality education databases, and helping clients market to schools.  Her affiliations have included CEO Forum on Education and Technology (founding member), Consortium for School Networking (CoSN; corporate member and treasurer) and Software Information Industry Association (SIIA; board member, Education Section).  Her honors include 2005 ‘Making it Happen’ award, eSchool News’ Impact 30 for 2001, CoSN’s Private Sector Champion 2002, and Converge Magazine’s ‘Those Who Make a Difference 2000.’

ClassLink questions are in bold and Ms. Hayes’ answers in italics below.

What is Project Red all about? 
‘R’ is for revolutionizing and the ‘ed’ for Education.  Although microcomputers entered the classroom in 1978, we’re frustrated (as we know most educators are) that our schools continue to struggle and our students fall behind in the global race.  With Project Red we want to provide hard data on the current achievements being attained by technology-rich schools.  This data in turn will help effect change in the way teaching and learning is conducted.

We hope to accomplish this by improving funding stability and working with state legislatures.  1:1 computing is far more widespread and successful than people know.  However, education is floundering from lack of data.  Anecdotal information is great but we’re looking for empirical data to back it up.

We know the Project Red surveys are well underway.  Have you set minimum requirements for participation before results are released?
Originally, we were looking for participation by 500 schools.  We’ve already exceeded that number but now feel we would like input from approximately 2000 additional districts.  The reason for this is that only 20% of the current participants are what we consider “technology-rich” school districts.

How do you view current funding for technology by states?
It’s volatile.  We would like to take the hard data provided by this survey and build a model of how much districts could save if they properly utilized technology.  We’ll work with state legislatures to demonstrate that technology is revenue-positive.  Our plan is to work with three states initially.  We would even help them write legislation or develop legislative implementation packages for legislatures and school districts.

What is your overall feeling about educational technology use currently?
We’re not doing as much as we should.  We’re arguing about the tiniest points.  We have to rely on whimsical funding. We don’t have enough data to form decisions or develop funding arguments.

I know your goal in this project is data.  However, I’m sure you’ve also heard numerous anecdotes as you’ve spoken with educators about this project.  Does any in particular come to mind?
Many, and I don’t discount the value of anecdotes as there are areas that are more difficult to measure.  For example, I spoke with a woman who has taught in six states.  She was recently teaching a seventh grade class where discipline problems consumed her classroom almost every minute of the day.  They brought in 1:1 computing and discipline was no longer even a question.  The only comments were a “wow” as students accessed something of interest on the computer.  She said it was miraculous.  You can’t ignore these types of stories.

Another recent story came up while I was serving on a CoSN panel.  A member mentioned the ability to fully keep up with students who were at home with the H1N1 virus through her school’s technology capabilities.

Have you seen any trends thus far in your survey results?
Although we are not at the analysis point as yet, we have seen proven financial impact, especially in a few key areas.  78% of respondents noted substantial paperwork reduction through data mapping and reducing redundant systems.  Also, 66% show noticeable cost reductions in paper and copy machine expenses.

On the academic side there are 2 to 1 improvements on high stakes test scores (20% of technology rich schools reported “great improvement” vs. 10% for others).  We also saw substantial reductions in disciplinary actions and drop-out rates.

How will you know if the project is successful?
Ideally, we’ll see dramatic improvements in student achievement.  Education technology funding will increase and will be a standard budget line, not something that’s easily cut or eliminated.  Basically there will be new legislation and state education policies and teachers will transform their classrooms with appropriate technology.

Can anyone participate in the survey?  What are the advantages of participation?
The survey is geared toward principals in technology-rich schools.  As educators, we all deeply care about the future of our nation’s children.  This survey is one tool to help us stop and evaluate where we are and where we’re headed and to determine what changes need to be made.  Every principal from a technology-rich school who completes the survey will receive a free copy of the resulting report to help guide their decision making (a $999 value!)

Any final thoughts?
I recently started a Project Red presentation with the John Dewey quote, “…..if we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow.”  Technology is a tremendous tool but if we only use it in traditional ways, transformation will not take place.

We encourage those reading this interview to participate in the Project Red survey if you are a K-12 school principal, district Director of Technology or superintendent.  For more information on Hayes you can go to http://www.hayesconnection.com/; for information on Project Red or to take the survey: http://www.projectred.org/