Coppell ISD Upgrades to 802.11n Wireless

Coppell Independent School District in Texas has overhauled its network, upgrading to high-speed 802.11n WiFi. The move was part of an effort to support the district's 1:1 initiative with increased capacity while reducing costs.

For the deployment, Coppell ISD used 802.11n WiFi arrays from Xirrus, a wireless hardware manufacturer that focuses on K-12 education.

Chad Branum, executive director of technology for Coppell ISD, said the new wireless network replaced an initial implementation that failed to deliver in terms of capacity.

"A lot of our users over time had basically given up on our previous wireless infrastructure," he said in a statement released Wednesday. "Deploying Xirrus has allowed our faculty to realize that WiFi can be solid. Now they can really infuse mobility within their instruction, either within their classroom or anywhere within the facility--that has been the biggest mind shift from all of our staff members and students. We wanted them to have the same kind of environment within our regular data network infrastructure that they would on a wireless...."

Coppell Independent School District serves about 10,000 K-12 students in 14 schools, including two high schools, three middle schools, and nine elementary schools, as well as one learning annex.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


Featured

  • Indianapolis Public Schools Adopt DreamBox Math

    Thanks to a new partnership with Discovery Education, all Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) K–8 students and teachers will gain access to DreamBox Math, which blends curriculum and continuous formative assessments that adapt to student needs to boost achievement.

  • The First Steps of Establishing Your Cloud Security Strategy

    In this guide, we'll identify some first steps you can take to establish your cloud security strategy. We'll do so by discussing the cloud security impact of individual, concrete actions featured within the CIS Critical Security Controls® (CIS Controls®) and the CIS Benchmarks™.

  • Google Brings Gemini AI to Teens in the Classroom

    Google is making its Gemini large language model available for free for students ages 13 and up in the United States (age minimums vary by country), via Google Workspace for Education accounts.

  • A top-down view of a person walking through a maze with walls made of glowing blue Wi-Fi symbols on dark pathways

    Navigating New E-Rate Rules for WiFi Hotspots

    Beginning in funding year 2025, WiFi hotspots will be eligible for E-rate Category One discounts. Here's what you need to know about your school's eligibility, funding caps, tracking requirements, and more.