Preliminary Urban Dreams Parent Survey

Results — Winter 2003

Overview:

The Urban Dreams Project is starting its fourth year of implementation serving the students, parents, and teachers of the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). The Project, in collaboration with the Marcus A. Foster Institute, recently concluded the third year of the Take Home Computer program. The program provided refurbished computers to approximately 150 families of students attending a secondary school in the OUSD. Before receiving a computer, a parent or legal guardian of the student must first attend a computer training session. These training sessions provide basic instructions of computer usage along with an overview of the software that is included.

In January of 2003, the Center for Evaluation and Research (CER) conducted a phone survey of the third cohort of families who received computers. The survey consisted of a series of questions that were developed by the evaluators, Urban Dreams staff, and a representative of the Marcus A. Foster Institute. CER staff randomly attempted to contact all of the 152 families who were identified by the project staff as having received a computer during the last three months of 2002. The interviews were held in English and Spanish. Graph 1 provides an overview of the results of the attempts to contact all 152 families:

There were 152 people called during a 5-day period from January 20 through January 24,2003. Out of that total, 75 took the survey, 38 did not answer at all or the phone was picked up by an answering machine. Eight had their number disconnected, seven were not available, and 24 others did not come to the phone for a variety of reasons.

Results:

The following are the preliminary results of the eleven questions posed to the 75 respondents along with additional comments. A complete report with analysis will soon be made available.

The respondent’s children or grandchildren are the exclusive users of 57% of the computers that were distributed. One or more parents or guardians use the machines with the entire family in 31% of the households. In 16% of the homes, all the children of the family share the computer for various activities. Only 3% of the computers are not being utilized by anyone in the family.

A full 84% percent of the computers are being used by at least one family member for homework. Other uses for the computer include the Internet, e-mail, entertainment purposes including downloading and listening to music, and using the word processor for composing letters and resumes. Only 11% of the computers were utilized exclusively for games. Only 5% are not being used at all. One recipient said that their computer has not been hooked up and another stated that their computer is broken.

(*Some respondents indicated they used more than one program.)

·          The trainings were helpful for me (Mother) because I am just learning. My daughter already knew how to use one so it was review.

·          Yes, it helped a lot. I didn’t know how to turn one on before the class.

·          The training refreshed my mind. It was helpful because it helped you renew knowledge that you had forgotten.

Eighty-one percent of the computer recipients have either not bought, or do not plan on buying, another personal computer (PC). Respondents indicated that a financial reason was the main factor in their decision. Seven percent have recently purchased a new PC while 9% revealed they already had one or more additional computers in their home.

·          It [the computer] improved his schoolwork since he had it. I noticed his grades went up in English and I think it’s because of the computer.

·          His grades went up in every subject. He had a 2.3 and it went up to a 3.0.

·          My grades are going up because we need to type many of our papers. The computer is a big help.

·          She always does her work, little improvement was noticed because of the computer.

·          Yes, there has been a big change in attitude and the report card.

·          No, since we already owned a computer beforehand.

·          Yes, there has been a good change. We don’t have to go to the library every time to use a computer.

·          My son uses the computer more, but he has always been a good student.

·          He [my son] gets better grades because typing allows better organization and cleaner work.

Comments:

·          I would like to have my computer hooked up to the Internet. But I don’t want the Internet given to me. I want a hand, not a handout.

·          Sometimes my daughter’s English teacher has her do current events on NewsLink. The Internet allows her to do this homework.

·          I would like to connect to the Internet but we are poor.

Of the 34 survey takers that are connected to the Internet, 73% obtained that connection through the discounted rates of OTX-West and California.com.

Of the 34 respondents whose computers are connected to the Internet, 30 use it for class projects and/or homework research, 6 research colleges, 3 research the job market, and 22 use the Internet for entertainment purposes. (*Some respondents indicated they used the Internet for more than one activity.)

Of the 34 respondents whose computers are connected to the Internet, 9 have e-mailed their teacher, 6 visited their school’s website, 1 contacted an OUSD administrator, and 7 were not sure if the Internet was utilized for these activities. One parent commented: “My son does e-mail with a counselor at Mills College. They keep in touch through their e-mail program.” (*Several respondents indicated they used the Internet for more than one activity.)

Comments:

·          I don’t have a vehicle to get there to exchange it. Also, I am not aware of all my options.

·          When I first went to get it had no CD-ROM. They said that you could buy one from the store.

·          Traded the first one in and got another one. This one works but it’s still slow.

Question 11: Are there any other comments you would like to make about the computers for families program?

More than three out of every four respondents have experienced no problems with their computer system. Overall, they are satisfied with its performance and are thankful for having this technology made available to them. Nine percent

·          It [the program] needs to continue because parents need to be involved since so many parents are computer illiterate. Kids are so smart that they are way ahead of their parents. Parents need a program so they can catch up to their children.

·          Excellent program – only given to those who are worthy and will use it. Continue doing what you are doing because the kids are our future.

·          Basically, the computers are not very good. I don’t know about everyone else’s, just the one I got.

·          Good program as far as anyone who wants to learn how to operate a computer. Everything about it was run well. Thank you.

·          Good idea for the children if the computers were working well that were given out.

·          Beneficial program that helps a lot of kids that are not able to get computers. Helps parents that go the workshop to realize that if they touch a button they are not going to do something bad. I know because I have done some of the trainings.

·          Worthwhile program. I hope it continues to help people who can’t afford a computer.

·          Good because it helps you learn slowly and it helps you learn how to use computers. Good program!

·          The program took additional time to really help people. I think the people who run the program itself should be commended.

·          Good thing to give students computers. They are more apt to do homework due to access to a lot of information.

·          Very good program that actually helps kids. I was impressed with the training program.

·          Glad to have it [the computer] and she is appreciative of having been given it.

·          Great program. I hope they continue with program next year so other people can use it and enjoy.

·          Love it! Makes me want to try to get another.

·          Thankful to school for program. It is vital to my son’s educational process.

·          I think it’s a very well run program. I like that it’s structured and the child is with and adult. Good program.

·          I’m the great grandma and I think [my great grandson] gets in touch with people from around the world. I think the program is great.

·          It’s good. If you really don’t know how to use a computer it’s a good way to start. The computers are not new but they work fine.

·          I really appreciate the program and it was a great idea for the young kids. My son appreciates the computer and it helps him.

·          It is a really good thing they do because a lot of those kids can’t afford a computer (we’re one of them). It’s a good program!

·          It is a wonderful program. It steers underprivileged children toward the future by allowing them to interact with technology, which otherwise would be absent from their lives.

·          Thank you. It is really a magnificent program. A lot of people get the chance to use a computer. Love the program!