The Relationship Between Student Participation in a 1:1 Laptop Initiative and Academic Achievement in a 9-12 Upper Middle Class Suburban New Jersey Public School District

The use of laptop computers in 1:1 settings is becoming increasingly prevalent in America’s schools. As greater numbers of students are using this technology, establishing its benefits and costs is paramount, especially in light of so many demanding fiscal situations. This study used quantitative research and analysis to measure the benefits and costs of such an expansive distribution of technology. It seeks to answer the question of the worth of such a large-scale adoption. This study explored the relationship between the use of a laptop computer on a 1:1 basis for the purpose of academic instruction and its connection to the academic achievement of students in upper middle class suburban New Jersey high schools. This study used propensity score matching (PSM) primarily via ANCOVA to determine if significant differences existed in student performance while controlling for student demographic and academic characteristics. The data for this study were collected from two demographically similar high schools with the only difference being the presence of a 1:1 laptop initiative. The study required specific student demographic data. The independent variables used were gender, socioeconomic status, grade point average, class attendance, ethnicity, special education classification, status as an English Language Learner, and student prior achievement (i.e., NJASK 8). The dependent variable was the use of a 1:1 laptop program for the purpose of academic instruction. The results indicated that the use of a 1:1 laptop program did not have a statistically significant impact on student performance as measured by HSPA Language Arts Performance, PSAT performance, and student attendance. Furthermore, the results indicated that a 1:1 laptop program had a statistically significant relationship with student performance on the HSPA Math test and student grade point average