How Education Is Closing the Digital Divide
A new SETDA report digs into how states across the country are implementing new programs to help school districts close the digital divide.
Designing high-capacity and widely available networks is essential for meeting the
digital learning goals, according to a new SETDA
study. The report looks into how individual states
are working to close the digital divide in education by creating
dedicated networks for schools and funding grant programs.
“In order to
provide personalized learning experiences for students to best
prepare them for college and careers, and to compete in a global
economy, all schools need access to reliable, high-speed broadband,”
said SETDA’s incoming executive director, Candice Dodson. “No two
states approach broadband implementation the same; however, state
leadership is essential to the process in implementing high-speed
broadband for all.”
Some examples in the
report include:
When it comes to developing strategies for affordable internet access
for off-campus students, the report found 12 states have community
partnerships, 13 with connecting anchor institutions and five with
existing state funding. Nine states have instituted WiFi on busses
and seven states have mandated legislative funding for off-campus
access.
In conjunction with
the release of the report, SETDA has published the State K-12
Education Broadband Map, which shows how each state is using
broadband through different models including the statewide networks,
regional networks and alternative strategies. The map can be viewed
here.
The
full report from SETDA can be found here.
About the Author
Sara Friedman is a reporter/producer for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe covering education policy and a wide range of other public-sector IT topics.
Friedman is a graduate of Ithaca College, where she studied journalism, politics and international communications.
Friedman can be contacted at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @SaraEFriedman.
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