[MACEP] FW: SETDA Releases Broadband Report with Tangible Recommendations for Districts and States

[WADE Carla]

Macep colleagues, 
 
SETDA just released a report on High-Speed Broadband Access for All
Kids:  Breaking Through the Barriers.  We should be thinking about these
issues as our schools are implementing the strategies we learn and share
at our meetings.  Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Carla
Carla Wade 
Technology Education Specialist 
Oregon Department of Education 
255 Capitol St. NE 
Salem, OR  97310 
Ph:  503.947-5631 
E-mail:  carla.wade at state.or.us 

 
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US Education System Must Step-Up High-Speed Broadband Efforts to
Maximize the Potential of Technology for Student Achievement and the
21st Century Global Economy 
  
States, Districts, and Schools in Danger of Missing Assessment, Data,
and Instructional Opportunities Due to Lack of Broadband Access 
  
(Arlington, VA) SETDA, representing all 50 states and DC, today released
the "High-Speed Broadband Access for All Kids: Breaking through the
Barriers" report to address the growing concern and critical need for
high-speed Internet access among our districts and schools.  Although
national statistics boast almost 98% connectivity in US schools, the
substance and bandwidth of the connection is often problematic and
insufficient. High-speed broadband access and connectivity are vital for
economic growth, global competitiveness, education, innovation, and
creativity. Ensuring high-speed broadband access for all students has
become a critical national issue especially when considering the
necessity for the use of technology in assessment, accountability,
engagement, and preparing our students for work and life in the 21st
century. 
  
SETDA worked with stakeholders from all 50 states, education, and
industry in developing the recommendations.  This report identifies the
key issues facing the educational community relating to robust
connectivity and recommends how states and districts can successfully
implement high-speed broadband in their schools. The report also
provides stakeholders and policymakers with strategies and models for
bringing this critical issue to the national and state policy level. You
can view the full report at
http://www.setda.org/web/guest/class2020actionplan
<http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=75250912&sid=4271766&m=513589&u=SET
DA&s=http://www.setda.org/web/guest/class2020actionplan>
<http://www.setda.org/web/guest/class2020actionplan> . 
  
Key recommendations include: 
In a technology-rich learning environment for the next 2-3 years, SETDA
recommends: 


*	An external Internet connection to the Internet Service Provider
of 10 Mbps per 1,000 students/staff 
*	Internal wide area network connections from the district to each
school between schools of at least 100 Mbps per 1,000 students/staff 

In a technology-rich learning environment for the next 5-7 years, SETDA
recommends: 


*	An external Internet connection to the Internet Service Provider
of 100 Mbps per 1,000 students/staff 
*	Internal wide area network connections from the district to each
school between schools of at least 1 Gbps per 1,000 students/staff 

"Planning and implementing for this growth is critical for our education
system," stated Mary Ann Wolf, PhD, SETDA's Executive Director.  "We now
have data that shows how technology makes a significant impact on
student achievement in all subject areas and grades - not to mention
providing unprecedented opportunities for on-going and sustainable
professional development that improves teacher practice within the
classroom.  High speed broadband is essential to making change happen." 
  
Key issues include: 


*	Teachers and students need high-speed broadband access in their
schools to take advantage of a wide range of new and rich educational
tools and resources available for learning anytime, anywhere 
*	Teachers need high-speed broadband access for professional
development, and engaging in professional learning communities as well
as accessing new educational resources such as curriculum cadres and
education portals 
*	Administrators need high-speed broadband access to conduct
online assessments and to access data for effective decision making 
*	Students need high-speed broadband access to overcome the
digital divide in rural and low socio-economic areas 

About SETDA 
The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) is the
principal association for state directors of technology and their staff
members providing professional development and leadership around the
effective use of technology in education to enhance competitiveness in
the global workforce. 
  

  

	

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