For Immediate Release

Contact:

Contact:

Dr. Tracy Weeks                             Lisa Cohen
Executive Director, SETDA            310-395-2544
202-715-6636 x700                        [email protected]
[email protected]

New Report Highlights Best Practices Around the Country for Driving Broadband Connectivity and Access for Students

With High-Speed Broadband Access Essential to Student Learning, Common Sense and SETDA Release Report to Help Educators, State Leaders and Policymakers Ensure Every Student Has High Quality Internet Access

April 4, 2016 (Washington, D.C.) – SETDA and Common Sense Kids Action today released a new report, State K-12 Broadband Leadership: Driving Connectivity and Access. This report highlights the powerful impact of state leadership in driving critical policy decisions at the national and state level to support broadband networks, bandwidth capacity, and Wi-Fi implementation and home access for low-income families. Educators, policy makers and the private sector will benefit from organized and accessible information regarding states’ broadband and Wi-Fi implementation. The work includes examples of states providing leadership for effective and efficient broadband and Wi-Fi implementation and is organized into the following categories; K-12 Broadband and Wi-Fi Connectivity, State Leadership for Infrastructure, State Broadband Implementation Highlights and State Advocacy for Federal Support of Broadband.

SETDA and Common Sense have a track record for advocating for the importance of high-speed broadband access for students both in and outside of school to prepare today’s students for college and career and to compete in a global economy. In 2015, SETDA and Common Sense released the E-rate Modernization Toolkit to encourage states and districts to leverage the modernized E-rate program.

Hanna Skandera, Secretary of Education, New Mexico Public Education Department notes, “Every child deserves the opportunity to be successful in school, and I believe every child should have equal access to the resources to give them the equal opportunity to reach their full potential. In 2016 that means no school is too remote, no classroom too far away to bring the internet to their fingertips.”

“Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, and in today’s world, that means making sure all kids have equal access to advanced technology for learning, no matter the school’s or library’s zip code,” said James P. Steyer, CEO and Founder of Common Sense. ” Something is wrong when coffee shops have faster Internet connections than most of our schools. Policymakers in state capitals, and in Washington DC, are facing the fact that critical funding is necessary to support the continued adoption of technology in classrooms throughout the country.. With the use of advances in technology for learning and for administration, we must do everything we can now to finish the job of connecting every classroom and library.”

“SETDA appreciates Common Sense Kids Action’s support of this critical work highlighting state leadership regarding broadband and W-Fi implementation,” said Dr. Tracy Weeks, Executive Director, SETDA. “Access to reliable, high-speed broadband is essential to creating and delivering the deeper learning experiences for students for college and careers, and to compete in a global economy.”

Full Report
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To learn more, register for the public webinar, Driving Connectivity and Access: State K-12 Broadband Leadership, Monday, April 11, 2016 3:00 PM ET.

About SETDA: Founded in 2001, SETDA is the principal nonprofit membership association representing US state and territorial educational technology leaders. Our mission is to build and increase the capacity of state and national leaders to improve education through technology policy and practice.  https://www.setda.org

About Common Sense Kids Action: Common Sense Kids Action works with policy makers, business leaders, and other advocates to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed in the 21st century. Our mission is to make kids and education our nation’s top priority by building a membership base and driving policies that promote access for all kids to high quality digital learning experiences; protect kids’ online privacy; expand access to affordable, high quality early education; and reduce child poverty. https://commonsensemedia.org/kids-action