We used these Google tools in our schools and saw tangible results soar

The findings reveal examples of accomplishment and achievement from schools in different geographic regions, of varied sizes, enrolling a diversity of students. We—and the educators that we interviewed—would never suggest that the use of technology is a silver bullet that will in itself improve student achievement.

However, based on our review of these schools, we are confident in saying that technology, when well planned and implemented, can be a key component of a successful digital strategy that has a positive impact on student outcomes.

Schools with Real Results

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg (US), with the world’s largest Chromebook deployment, outperformed the state and other large North Carolina school districts in exceeding student growth expectations in 2015-2016 and saw a 20 percent increase in graduation rate.

• At McKinnon Secondary College (AU), students are actively driving learning and creating more than 1000 Google Docs each day. McKinnon was ranked 14th among all schools in Victoria and named one of the top 50 in Victoria based on Mathematics and English results in 2015.

• Maine Township 207 (US), an early adopter of G Suite for Education, created a supportive learning environment that helped maintained high ACT scores even as demographics shifted and the low-income student population grew. This shift in demographics typically puts pressure on test scores, but the support of 1:1 take home Chromebooks helped Maine keep the playing field level for all.

• Tring School (UK) saw 21 percent of students perform above their expected level in Science compared to the previous year and 20 percent more students reach average results in Science over the previous year.

• In Oshkosh (US) changes to English class instruction improved passing rates in two classes from 75 percent to 94 percent and from 82 percent to 97 percent. And Oshkosh high schools, which implemented Chromebooks and G Suite first, outperformed the elementary school on measures of collaboration, critical thinking and creativity.

• At St. Patrick’s College (NZ), Chromebooks enabled a flipped classroom for the Science department. Students receive more tailored feedback, and self-assessment is now seen as an essential step during assignments. Year 9 students saw a 97 percent pass rate on test designed for Year 12 students.

• Devonport Boys High School (UK) saw a 60 percent increase in students accessing their accounts outside of school. Students led clubs, campaigns and trips using G Suite for Education tools to work together.

Along with the individual cases, we surveyed leaders from across these schools and our initial results from the US found that more than 80 percent of respondents believe that the use of technology had a strong impact on the district’s vision, culture and ability to deliver professional learning. Three in four respondents report that the use of Google tools had a positive impact on the district budget, and–in a surprise to us–63 percent said the technology had impacted curriculum.

For additional findings and examples of instructional impact, read the Impact Portraits released on a rolling basis at g.co/EduImpact. And stay tuned to the Google for Education blog for a deeper look into each portrait and more profiles from the US, UK, Sweden, Spain, New Zealand and Australia in the coming months.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally posted here on Google blogs.