Washington District Ramps Up High-Speed Access

• By David Nagel
• 05/28/08

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In an effort to bolster its technology infrastructure for teaching and learning, Highline Public Schools in Burien, WA is rolling out high-speed services in 35 locations. The new network services, which include Qwest GeoMax and Qwest Metro Optical Ethernet, are being funded through E-Rate.

According to Qwest Communications, which is providing the services, the high-speed connections will be used to help drive access to teaching and learning resources, including virtual classrooms and video streaming, and provide access to more advanced curriculum materials.

"It's important that technology support a curriculum--not drive it," said Mark Finstrom, technology director for the Highline School District, in a statement released last week. "With Qwest's platform, we're improving how students learn, teachers teach and staff operates with redundant systems, a high-speed technology platform and comprehensive business continuity plans."

For the multi-year agreement, Qwest is also providing planning services for business continuity/disaster recovery and is also supplying Internet and long distance services.

Highline Public Schools serves more than 17,000 students in 34 high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools, as well as alternative programs and schools.

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About the author: David Nagel is the executive editor for 1105 Media's online education technology publications, including THE Journal and Campus Technology. He can be reached at [email protected].

Proposals for articles and tips for news stories, as well as questions and comments about this publication, should be submitted to David Nagel, executive editor, at [email protected].