The study discussed in this article consisted of secondary data analyses of
USEIT data (Russell et al, 2003a). The USEIT study originated from a field
initiated study requested by 16 Greater Boston school districts and ultimately
included 21 Massachusetts school districts. The USEIT sample consisted
of a convenience sample of districts whose leaders wanted to assess the use
of technology as well as conditions that supported or hindered the use of
technology in their respective schools. The USEIT research team mailed
surveys to district administrators, principals, and teachers in the districts
interested in the Field Initiated study. The survey response rates were 96%
of district administrators, 80.5% for principals, and 69% for teachers. The
USEIT study examined technology programs in 3 small urban, 5 rural, and
13 suburban districts located in Massachusetts. Table 1 presents a comparison
of Massachusetts’ districts by locale type districts in the USEIT sample
and shows that 14% of the districts in the USEIT sample were classified as
urban, 62% were suburban, and 24% were rural.