The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has made progress in implementing its technology program, but still faces significant challenges, according to a new report from an outside evaluator.

The analysis from the American Institutes for Research (AIR), made public last week, follows a report issued a year ago on the first phase of a program that has been rebranded as the Instructional Technology Initiative. A total of 101 schools participate in the program to provide a device – iPad, Chromebook or laptop – to every student and teacher on campus.

The latest report covers the period from August 2014 through June 2015, corresponding with the second year of the district’s technology program. Challenges cited include the deployment of devices to students, communication with schools, integrating the technology initiative with the instructional program and a clear vision for technology use.

LAUSD followed through on the research firm’s previous recommendations that called for strengthening its technical and instructional supports, resolving security issues and teaching students how to be good “digital citizens” in the 21st century, the report said.

In addition, all schools in the program now have Wi-Fi capability to support the network.

Over the last three months, LAUSD has addressed some of the recommendations made in the 181-page report. Most of the 70,000 devices were delivered to the so-called “one-to-one” schools by the time school started mid-August, and the rest are expected to be distributed by mid-September.

LAUSD has also tapped a staff member at each school to track the devices. The district is also expanding professional development opportunities so that teachers not only become adept at but also comfortable with using technology in the classroom.

“The AIR evaluation points out areas of needed improvement that I have been aware of since my return to the district last October,” said Superintendent Ramon C. Cortines. “Many of the recommendations in the report have already been addressed or are being addressed. We have improved the deployment of devices at school sites. We have made changes in the ITI team for better integration with the Division of Instruction. Our ITI Task Force is developing a plan and vision for moving forward.”

Before devices can be distributed to students, a school must have an approved strategic plan that details how the computers will be used as instructional tools and how parents will be involved in the process. Plans for two schools have been approved, and more are expected in the coming weeks.