Is Digital Cheaper? Five-Year Implementation Fiscal Forecast of a Digital Innovation

• In Event: Print to Digital in the Language Arts: Small-Scale Studies of Digital Innovation

Abstract

Purpose. Financial sustainability is a critical issue for states and school districts, challenging productivity into the future (Roza, 2012; Simburg & Roza, 2013). Technology-based options in schooling, and the falling price of technology, suggest that the timing is ripe for more innovations that rethink curriculum interventions and reduce labor/material costs. To this purpose, grant competitions increasingly require that projects are sustainable without additional use of general funds (initial grant year expenditures negated by cost reductions in other areas). This paper describes the fiscal forecast process of DigiLit, a digital innovation in the elementary language arts, per the requirements of a state-level Straight A Innovation grant. DigiLit pivots paper/pencil language arts instruction to digital teaching that blends print and e-reading in a mobile learning environment
Method. DigiLit was implemented in grades K-5 (majority African-American) in a small urban elementary school built in 1949. A fiscal five-year forecast was developed to address three goals: (1) update and improve the digital infrastructure; (2) facilitate 1:1 iPad deployment; and (3) create a 5-year sustainability plan. Cost analyses included establishing baseline building-level expenditures in the language arts curriculum (labor/materials), transitioning costs from paper/books to electronic media in year one, and projecting a 5-year no-cost extension of implementation. Fiscal and accounting personnel conducted the analyses using forecasting techniques. Paper/copying compared the school’s use during year one with prior year usage, and sister school usage during the project year.

Results. Cost analyses yielded reductions that offset digital innovation: (1) A school closing reduced the five-year forecast for the overall school district by $2,144,599 annually, a proportion of which applied to the school site; (2) annual reduced costs at the school site were projected at $30,653 through the elimination of materials (paper subscriptions, etc.); (3) an anticipated 80-90% reduction in paper and photocopying costs; and (4) elimination of external professional development consultants. The resulting reduction at the school was projected at an annual $14,453. Total reductions from the general fund operating forecast averaged $2,160,652 annually for the five year period. Actual results indicate two of the ongoing increased costs at the school site (annual evaluation; student seat licenses) were eliminated through purchase during the project year for an increased reduction of $15,200 each year. Paper (printing, etc.) to digital savings was minimal in year one.
Significance. Straight A award sustainability is a significant departure from customary grant award practice. Accepting grant funding to test new models, interventions or programs is challenged by the finite nature of funding. If results are favorable, it is assumed that the grantee organization will fund continued use of the program. In practice, the actual result is that projects are mounted with grant funds and then ended when the funding ends regardless of demonstrated success. This study contributes descriptive information as to the challenges of sustainability in an equally challenging fiscal context.

Author

• Susan Pardee