Why are we following the example of Tierra Bonita when their test scores shows a drop?

Tierra Bonita Elementary has implemented the 1:World program with iPads and has become an "Apple Distinguished School." Their California Standardized Test scores have fallen after the program was started. From the reports at the California Department of Education web site you can examine the scores and see that the scores have fallen considerably - and they only implemented the program for 4th and 5th graders!   

From the web site (http://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/) the Tierra Bonita scores in 2013 fell sharply. The previous years the school had pretty consistent scores. The CST summary scores from 2010 to 2013 show a decline of the scores. For example: Math went from 84.6% to 75%, and the English went from 83.5% to 77.8%, and finally the Science score went from 88.5% to 73.6%. In addition the number of "below and far below students DOUBLED!!!


So, why are we trying to follow in their foot steps? What is so great about being an Apple Distinguished School? I for one would rather keep Deer Canyon having excellent test scores and forget about trying to be experimenting with technology in our classrooms at the expense of our children's future.

Do we want to be part of the experiment? Are we willing to experiment with our children?

Richard Clark of USC has done extensive research on the use of technology in learning. He states:

"The misconception about the learning benefits of new technologies seems to persist despite overwhelming evidence that it is wrong."


The point he makes is that pouring money into the latest hot technology is not cost effective. You can get the same results spending a lot less money. He states that these new technologies are no more effective to learning as the truck that delivers groceries to a supermarket. The nutrition is the same regardless of what truck was used.

So why follow other schools? Just to spend more money?