St. Tammany Parish School System LEAP test scores have increased by 3% in 2023 since Chromebook introduction.

(ST. TAMMANY, LA) St. Tammany Parish’s 2022-2023 test results showed significant increases in the students' math, science, and English proficiencies. Math, science and English scores increased by one point. The tests, however, are taken on Chromebooks, and the parish regularly uses them in the classrooms. An integrated process that some teachers feel may be helping them become more comfortable taking tests on computers compared to the graduates before them, enabling them to perform better.

The LEAP tests are taken by students enrolled in grades three through 11 and are meant to test the children’s knowledge in critical subject areas including math, science, English and social studies.

Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Curriculum, Jeanne McCurley Ph.D, 56, has been the assistant superintendent for three years. 

McCurley stated that Chromebooks were introduced to the classrooms in 2019 to expand access to resources for both students and teachers. She also said that they were meant to be a part of a 1:1 program that supplies all students in a parish or state with a computer to complete assignments. When COVID-19 struck, the plan had to be expedited. The decision to implement the devices was made by the school district stakeholders and the community.

McCurley also said the district stakeholders passed the bond in 2019 to help fund the 1:1 program, which showed the support of the community for bringing the devices into the classroom.

“The Chromebooks in the classroom are intended to positively impact student engagement, increase collaboration, enhance mobility through the classroom, and take learning beyond the classroom,” McCurley said.

Fontainebleau High School teachers Sarah Wortmann, David Dragg, and Tracy Hoffman explained how the Chromebooks have helped their students. 

Wortmann has been teaching for six years but has been at Fontainebleau High School for three. When she first arrived, she was using the Chromebooks every day, for everything, but is now using both Chromebooks and the paper-pencil method. 

Wortmann, 35, who teaches 9th grade English, said she appreciates the Chromebooks because she gets to help her students with MLA formatting and editing. As for state testing, she believes that being exposed to computers and completing assignments influences the student’s performance. Though she combines Chromebook use and the paper-pencil method, she acknowledges that students seem to be performing better due to the regular interactions with the devices.

“I think they’re great for English teachers. It opens a lot of doors for all of the students having Chromebooks. I think they’re more comfortable and I do think that the regular interactions affect state testing because they’re used to being on the computers. I think the comfort level really helped and contributed to them doing better on tests. They aren't nervous anymore because they are so comfortable with computers,” Wortmann said.

Tracy Hoffman, 49, has taught special education, Inclusion physical science, biology, environmental science and honors physical science for 10 years. She has also taught on-level and honors inclusion physical science, biology, and project lead the way for 21 years as well as being the founder of the FHS RoboDawgs. 

Hoffman said she believes that students need both interaction with Chromebooks and the paper-pencil method. The Chromebooks provide benefits to her classroom. As a science teacher, the Google Form offers her so many resources for tests and assignments, and the text-to-speech or speech-to-text feature for students who need support with reading and writing. Hoffman explained that she mixes testing formats based on what concepts she teaches, but she believes that the students have learned that Chromebooks are a learning benefit.

However, some students just do not like the idea of using computers to take tests because sometimes they can't go back to correct their answers which can be frustrating.

She also added that she can use Google Classroom to provide her students with a weekly agenda so students can be aware of the assignments and tests for the week. Hoffman also posts reminders, quick feedback, offers tutoring, and posts videos of what is being done in class to her Google Classroom. 

“I believe that the students see the computer as an aid in learning benefits the most, but it also has to do with how teachers utilize the computer in the classroom and how the students learn. Putting math on the computer can make the students think, while still needing to be taught the reason behind the process. The platform makes it easier to complete tests, so anxiety is eased. It really depends on the student, but for some, it is a benefit,” Hoffman said.

Algebra instructor, David Dragg, 54, has been teaching for 18 years at Fontainebleau High and currently teaches dual enrollment college algebra with Southeastern Louisiana University. 

Dragg said that he and the students really like having the Chromebooks in his class. His classroom is almost completely paperless now, but students will either print out notes provided on Google Classroom or write them manually.

He has liked using Google Classroom on Chromebooks to present information such as his classroom agenda, PowerPoint, and lectures for what was taught that day. Though he still uses a whiteboard for lectures, the students complete assignments and tests on MathXl, which is a product of Pearson Education.

“Everything I do is on the computers. I really think it benefits the kids because the only thing they use paper and pencil for is to work out problems and put them into the computer. I think it really helped out across the board. I like it that way and I think my students really like it that way. This is what they’re going to get when they get to college. I do believe the Chromebooks help their testing because even the ACT is online now, and so is everything else. So, the more you get them familiar with it, the better they are when they go to take those tests,” Dragg said.

The instructors at Fontainebleau High School added that though Chromebooks provide many benefits, they were a distraction when they first arrived, but the students are continuing to learn how to manage their privilege. Having the Chromebooks still requires some monitoring in the classroom but with help from the central office at the school board, they track the activity. What is blocked for students, is also blocked for teachers, except YouTube since the teachers use videos to aid their lectures. 

McCurley noted that because the district performance score changed in the 2017-2018 school year, over the last school year St. Tammany parish increased by one point. Any improvement is considered significant. This includes LEAP tests, seniors ACT performance, graduation rate, any college credit hours the students earned, the courses the students participate in, and the size of the district which includes 37,000 students, 58 schools, and programs.

According to the Chromebook Use Agreement, the devices are meant to provide the students with access to technology to prepare them for further education including college and potential careers. 

“The benefits of the Chromebooks enhance the instructional experiences of our students and support our teachers with formatively assessing their students. Research has also shown that, of school-related factors, teachers have the most significant impact on student achievement,” McCurley said.

The Chromebook implementation has served as a positive experience for the parish, teachers, and administrators due to the ability to track student progress.

If there are any further questions about the integration of Chromebooks, their benefits, or state testing, you can contact Jeanne McCurley at jeanne.mccurley@stpsb.org or call the St. Tammany Parish School Board at 985-898-3259.

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