During the 2001-2002 school year, the New York State Broadcast Network presented tape delayed broadcasts via public television stations (A list may be found at http://www.oce.nysed.gov/etvpb/PT_stations.html) and assessment scorer trainings distributed on videotape. Print materials, including facilitators’ guides, program calendars, and broadcast notices (Some available at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/satellite.html) were sent to schools and educational organizations statewide to supplement the Network's programs. Web-based program resources included electronic versions of the facilitators’ guides and other print materials, program transcripts, links to relevant web sites, and archived program resources from prior years. Sources of program evaluation information included review of program documents, focus groups in conjunction with statewide education-related professional organizations, and surveys of general viewers, principals, staff developers, and state assessment scoring trainees. Surveys included both paper/pencil and web-based formats. Web-based surveys enabled program viewers to comment immediately on programs as they were aired. (Links to current surveys can be found at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/satellite.html).

Program Evaluation Findings

• New York State Broadcast Network Tools for Schools programs continue to be rated as highly valuable by the majority of viewer respondents.
• Administrators, staff developers, and educators in supervisory roles were most likely to have viewed Tools for Schools programming. As in the previous two years, the majority of surveyed school principals and staff developers had viewed Network programming in 2001-2002. Viewership among principals and staff developers decreased from the previous year, while viewership among teachers increased.
• During the 2001-2002 broadcast year, as in the prior two years, viewers were most likely to access Broadcast Network programs on videotape.
• Administrators and staff developers were more likely than teachers to have used program resources, such as videotapes and supplementary materials, and to have shared those resources with others.
• Tools for Schools facilitators’ guides continue to be highly valued by educators. The guides were used to share information and as staff development resources. Those who visited the Tools for Schools web site reported that it was valuable and easy to use, although the percentage of respondents accessing it decreased from prior years.
• Direct SED mailings and Tools for Schools program materials remain the major sources of program information for administrators and staff developers. Teachers were more likely to receive program information from district or BOCES materials.
• Most survey respondents and focus group participants continue to report that viewing Network programs increased their awareness and understanding of educational issues and initiatives. Other reported program effects included increased discourse about program topics and application of new strategies showcased in Tools for Schools programs.
• Suggested topics for future programming continued to focus on helping students be successful. Often viewers requested more programming on topics covered in prior years, such as differentiated instruction, assessments and the Standards.
• Suggestions for program format included requests for more in-class segments, practical information for application in classroom settings, and a balance of featured school types and settings.
• The majority of math and ELA scoring trainees found assessment scoring training via Broadcast Network videotapes to be an effective means of assessment scoring preparation.