Studying the Use of Technology in Schools
Macro completed the fourth in a series of studies that a public broadcasting organization conducted to determine the use of television, video, and other technologies for educational purposes in elementary and secondary schools in the United States. Building on data that have been collected since 1977, Macro investigated the availability, use, support, and outcomes of educational technology through a nationally representative survey of schools and teachers. A module was added to the questionnaire to collect information about the use of other new technologies, especially the use of computers in multimedia and online applications. Another important feature that we added was qualitative telephone interviews with a subset of teachers (10 percent) to provide greater in-depth understanding of the classroom application of these tools. The results were published in a research volume for use by educators and policymakers in shaping budgets and policy. An attractive summary document that combined findings, pictures, and graphics was distributed to schools, public television stations, and Congress. This summary report of findings is published online, and the research team gave several presentations to public television audiences.

Publications To Assist Parents
Macro produced three publications for the Goals 2000-Parent Assistance Program-Parent Information and Resource Centers (PIRCs): one publication for an audience of legislators and school and community leaders, and two publications for use by parents to help them with child-rearing and supporting the efforts of their children to succeed in school. Fifty-eight PIRCs are in the United States and territories. One of the two publications for parents was translated into Spanish.

Youth Risk Behavior Survey
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey is a biennial project of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is a school-based survey of health risk behavior consisting of nationally representative cross-sectional samples of students in grades 9 through 12. Macro has been responsible for the survey since 1988. Separate estimates are developed by race/ethnicity, grade, and gender. Behaviors measured include intentional and unintentional injury; alcohol, tobacco, and drug use; nutrition; physical activity; and sexual behaviors that increase the risk of pregnancy and STDs, including HIV/AIDS. Survey data are used to track nationwide changes in health risks faced by the adolescent population over time to serve as an index against which to compare similar State surveys and to monitor progress in achieving objectives of Healthy People 2010 and National Education Goals programs.