Christine Fox

Director of Educational Leadership and Research

202-715-6636 x702

May 21, 2012 (Washington, D.C.)Today the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) releasedThe Broadband Imperative: Recommendations to Address K-12 Education Infrastructure Needs. This report examines current trends driving the need for more broadband in teaching, learning and school operations; provides state and district examples of the impact of robust deployment of broadband; and offers specific recommendations for the broadband capacity needed to ensure all students have access to the tools and resources they need to be college and career ready. “This information and guidance regarding broadband will assist states in understanding this critical cornerstone for providing equitable access to digital resources, professional development, and a personalized learning landscape,” said Jorea Marple, West Virginia Superintendent of Schools.

Given existing trends and the experiences of leading states and districts, SETDA recommends that schools will need external Internet connections to their Internet service provider of 100 Mbps per 1,000 students and staff by 2014-15 and of 1 Gbps per 1,000 students and staff by 2017-18. Larry Shumway, Utah State Superintendent of Public Instruction, adds: “Utah supports the use of broadband technology in all of its classrooms. Broadband infrastructure is a vital tools for schools today and will help prepare students for college and careers in the future.”

“Addressing teacher and student concerns regarding educational broadband reliability and speed is as critical as ensuring plumbing and electricity in schools. This report highlights the need for the federal government, states, districts and schools to invest not only in school broadband infrastructure but also more broadly to ensure students can access learning resources both in and out of school,” stated Douglas Levin, Executive Director of SETDA. “Limited access to broadband must not become the stumbling block to helping all students make the most of their talents and abilities.”

Wisconsin State Superintendent of Schools, Tony Evers, struck a similar theme by noting, “Digital learning offers exciting new opportunities for more personalized learning and student engagement in every classroom.…We must move forward quickly to supply sufficient affordable broadband access to every student both in school and at home.”

The Broadband Imperative is a product of collaboration among state educational technology leaders, leading technology companies, and policy and practitioner experts who every day are faced with the challenges of insufficient broadband and witness to the successes of robust access. The numerous examples in the report of successful broadband implementation by states and leading school districts illustrate the power of a fully implemented system.

Maine has long been a leader in leveraging technology for education and realizes the importance of robust broadband access. “Technology and broadband are key to giving students the power to take control of their own learning, and to engage frequently and instantly with learning tools across town and around the world. It’s why the Maine Learning Technology Initiative made high speed Internet at all public schools a requirement,” said Stephen Bowen, Commissioner of Education, Maine Department of Education.

As the report concludes, “Given that bandwidth availability determines which online content, applications, and functionality students and educators will be able to use effectively in the classroom, additional bandwidth will be required in many, if not most, K-12 districts in this country in the coming years. If we are serious as a nation about preparing all students for college and careers, a concerted national effort will be required to address both school-based bandwidth needs and out-of-school access for students and educators.”

To access the full report, visit: https://www.setda.org/web/guest/broadbandimperative