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The Editorial Projects in Education Research Center conducts an annual survey of the chief state technology officials in the 50 states and the District of Columbia to assess the latest information regarding state policy and practice in educational technology. This year the Research Center sent the surveys by e-mail on Jan. 16, 2007.

Respondents for each state answer the survey questions and provide appropriate corroborating documentation for the 2006-07 school year. Supporting documentation may take the form of state statutes, administrative rules, and Web site addresses. To ensure that answers are accurate and that consistent standards are applied across states, EPE Research Center staff members carefully evaluate each state’s responses and documentary evidence. Follow-up telephone conversations and e-mail correspondence with the individuals who completed the survey are common.

Once the completed surveys and documentation are vetted, the Research Center sends the survey respondents a compilation of their initial responses along with the final determinations made by the Research Center staff based on reviews of the available documentation. Officials in the states are asked to review the final answers and provide any changes or corrections with appropriate documentation. The EPE Research Center awards credit for a response only when states are able to provide clear evidence that the particular policy or practice is currently in place.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia participated in this year’s survey. The EPE Research Center gratefully acknowledges the work of all the individuals who generously contributed their time and effort to provide information for the survey. Technology Counts’ editors and research staff hope this examination of policies and activities across the states will inform the efforts of researchers, legislators, policymakers, and practitioners.