Return on Investment Educators, community members, and policymakers are all interested in the "return on investment" from dollars spent on a technology initiative. What will justify the often large expenditures required by many technology initiatives? The answer is increased student achievement and, to most, this means rapid improvement on test scores often state-administered, high-stakes tests. Careful planning and education of the community at large can help to counteract some of the demand for rapid improvement of test scores and provide alternative methods for demonstrating a high return on investment. Your technology planning should include A variety of data. While community members will be concerned about student scores on standardized tests, a variety of data can be used to demonstrate impact of your technology initiative. Surveys of students, teachers, and parents can provide data. Classroom observations can help determine the degree of integration and describe changes in teaching and learning. Student projects and products can also be used as alternative forms of data. Key stakeholders. These people from the school, business, and general communities begin by helping you design a technology plan that reflects the shared vision of the community at large. They also play an important role in developing support for the plan and educating their constituents about the complexity of measuring the impact of technology initiatives and alternate outcomes for determining returns on the investment. Consider stakeholders who have strong communication skills and are already seen as leaders in their own community. Feedback. Keep the community well informed through a variety of venues. Provide updates on the progress of the technology plan through local news organizations or school-related publications. Use common print publications such as newspapers and school newsletters, but also consider using electronic communications such as listservs, e-mail, or a school Web page. Open the school to parents and community groups for organized demonstrations of student-created technology products through "open houses" and "technology nights." Stakeholders should speak to their constituent groups at business meetings, luncheons, and other engagements to spread the base of support. Did You Know? America Links Up is sponsored by a coalition of educators, nonprofit organizations, and corporations and seeks to provide children with a safe and rewarding online experience through a campaign of public awareness. Its Web site includes useful information for anyone working with children, including online tips, key Internet terms, and a long list of kid-friendly Web sites. Visit the site for further information.