The AEDS Large School System Survey. Report of Findings.

The findings of a survey of selected administrative computer applications in large public school districts are presented in this report. Using a three part written questionnaire, the investigators polled 99 school districts throughout the United States and examined the responses of 55. Two major hypotheses were tested: 1) the difference in the frequency with which the benefits resulted from various applications; and 2) the various benefits which resulted from different means of development. The study reported several conclusions: 1) the most frequent computer uses were for financial accounting applications with personnel applications second; 2) contractor staffs are used less often than inhouse personnel; 3) most of the applications in use were designed for first or second generation computers; and 4) the financial applications were the most operable and successful of all the applications. The report noted that it is quite apparent that school districts are not reaping the rewards of third generation computers. (MC)