The McKenzie Group proposes to conduct a R&D study of current uses and future needs and priorities of web-based technologies to support science, mathematics reading and technology (SMRT) educational reform efforts among 25+ urban school districs comprising the Superintendents Coalition. A major focus of this effort will be to determine the viability and added value of a national SMRT Internet Portal to enhance and accelerate local efforts through cross-district communictions and collaborations, "onestop" access for acquiring and sharing district best practices and other validated SMRT web-based resourcees, adult and student distance learning opportunities and technology-enhanced assessment and accountability systems. The study will consist of four strands:district technology applcitons and needs assessment; background research on SMRT web-based resources; technical infrastructure analyses; and R&D findings and recommendations. The study methodology includes online surveys of district technology coordinators and SMRT curriculum specialists, a review of district technology an dSMRT documents, follow-up interviews and a final review of findings and recommenations by an advisory panel of technology experts. Endorsed by the Superintendents Coalition, the study will include technical support from The Concord Consortium, a nationally recognized leader in educational technology research.
