The goals of the Berkshire Wireless Learning Initiative (BWLI), a 1:1 program in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, are to help improve student achievement and transform the way education is delivered in the towns of North Adams and Pittsfield. Robust wireless communications have been installed in four middle school buildings, allowing teaching to occur in many different school settings. In total, more than 2,300 laptops have been distributed to teachers and students with a total project cost of $5.3 million.

A 155-page, year-three final evaluation study, by Boston College's Technology and Assessment Study Collaborative, asserts that there is "emerging evidence that student achievement was positively enhanced" by the program.

Some highlights:

• Researchers found that 71 percent of the 175 teachers in the five public schools where the laptop initiative is in place believe the quality of work by students has improved because of the program, as opposed to the two percent who believe it has declined;


• Eighth-graders who had participated for two years received the highest percentage of pass rates on MCAS tests since the exams began 11 years ago;


• Historic MCAS test pass rates were achieved by both seventh- and eighth-graders during the BWLI period.

Sources: The Berkshire Wireless Learning Initiative Web site; Year 3 Full Evaluation Report