E-rate Maps of Fiber Connectivity to Schools and Libraries
Two maps providing a visualization of current fiber availability for schools and libraries across the country.
Summary of the E-rate Modernization Order
This summary of the E-rate modernization order describes the new goals for the program and then summarizes the actions that the order has taken to enable the E-rate program to progress toward those goals.
Moving Forward with a Data-Driven E-rate Modernization Process
An FCC staff white paper from the Wireline Competition Bureau and the Office of Strategic Planning and Policy summarizing what the FCC has learned to date as the result of an extraordinary effort to collect and analyze data, both about the current state of communications technology in America’s libraries and schools as well as the way the E-Rate program provides support.
National Broadband Plan
Digital Textbook Playbook
The Digital Textbook Playbook is a guide to help K-12 educators and administrators advance the conversation toward building a rich digital learning experience.Policies
Districts and schools implementing digital learning environments should adopt policies related to responsible/appropriate use of the network, devices and content. Schools and districts typically implement acceptable use policies (AUP) for students, parents and faculty members that have access to school devices and/or the school- based software or broadband services to help ensure student safety and security and to help protect the school’s equipment and servers. AUPs vary based on school and district implementation programs, and should be customized based on the user groups. Each school or district should review annually current policies, templates and supporting documents related to device usage and management, broadband access and permissions and contact forms.
Below, are sample documents that may help to manage user expectations by establishing policies for responsible internet use examples:
- Greene Central High School in North Carolina sample acceptable use policy, signature page, and laptop consent form
- Fairfax County Virginia Acceptable Use Policy
- iPad Procedures: Lamoille UHS, Hyde Park, Vermont
- A Student-Centered Universal BYOT Policy Template For Schools
School Districts Using Mobile Hotspots to Help Students Connect at Home
This article provides an overview of multiple school districts across the country providing at home Wi-Fi access for students.Homework Gap
Learning does not stop at the end of the school day, and access to digital learning resources should not either. However, many students do not have adequate access to the internet at home—often referred to as the “homework gap,” the gap between students whose internet connections at home are slow or non-existent—and those who have home connections with adequate speed. This is a problem disproportionately common in rural and underserved communities.
As more and more educators use digital devices and digital instructional materials for learning, connectivity at home for students is an essential component of a 21st century education—not something merely nice to have. Access to technology tools and resources offers new learning opportunities to support deeper learning and best prepare students for college and careers. When students have access to high-speed reliable internet both in and out of school, they can take online courses, complete online homework assignments, participate in virtual activities and collaborate with peers.
Ensuring this needed resource for students outside of school can be difficult, especially in rural areas. The federal program, Connect2Compete (C2C) helps to provide K-12 students affordable internet and devices to students and families that qualify for the National School Lunch Program. C2C is offered in partnership with leading cable companies, including Cox, Bright House Networks, MediaCom, Suddenlink, Comcast’s internet Essentials and others. Eligible customers receive internet for as low as $9.95 per month (plus tax). Some districts have worked with local internet service providers to support home access. Others provide subsidies to families in the district to assist with the cost of access to the internet at home, while still others support and rely on other publicaly accessible institutions to provide access to the internet. While many commercial establishments such as coffee shops and restaurants do provide internet access, relying on them to provide internet access to students outside of school can raise a host of ethical problems.[/su_expand]
Facilitator Guide
The Facilitator Guide – Homework Gap provides education leaders with the information and resources they need to conduct a professional learning session. Participants will:
- Learn more about the homework gap and its impact on digital equity
- Strategize solutions with peers
- Collaborate with colleagues on best practices
- Develop and maintain relationships with other district and state leaders
Wi-Fi
The Wi-Fi gap in U.S. schools is a concern that federal, state, district and school leaders are addressing nationwide. The increase in the number of devices available on campus (both district and student owned) coupled with the increased dependence on digital content requires dependable, high speed, Wi-Fi access. Providing access to robust connectivity is critical to ensuring today’s students are college and
career ready. As such, federal, state, and district-level leaders have dedicated a significant amount
of time, effort, and resources toward improving our schools’ external broadband access, including
both Internet access and wide area network (WAN). The integration of digital tools such as mobile
devices, adaptive learning software, and real-time analytics has heightened the need to expand
the broadband imperative to include access to high-quality, ubiquitous Wi-Fi access. The 2016
National Education Technology Plan (NETP) addresses this need and recommends that “students
and educators have broadband access to the Internet and adequate wireless connectivity.” State
education departments are taking note and evaluating the internal accessibility needs of their
schools and generating policies and funding pathways to support their growing demands.
The State Wi-Fi Leadership for Fostering Digital Learning Ready K12 Schools explores the steps states are taking to address the wireless equity gaps that exist among their schools. Leaders from Illinois, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Utah outline the planning, policy, funding, and management approaches their state agencies or education technology leaders are adopting regarding Wi-Fi, and they share their recommendations for promoting and/or creating equitable access opportunities to high-quality Wi-Fi connectivity.
Highlights from this paper include: State Perspectives on Building Broadband and Wi-Fi Connectivity Support, State Action Plans for Fostering Digital Learning-Ready Schools, Wireless Challenges and Concerns, State Vignettes for Illinois, New_Mexico, North_Carolina, Utah, Lessons Learned, Pathways to High-Quality Wi-Fi Connectivity, Recommendations_Checklist, Conclusion & Key_Considerations.
As districts and schools consider Wi-Fi access, planning is essential. Districts that have had substantial experience with Wi-Fi and companies that assist districts with networks and Wi-Fi agree that a 5-year plan with updates every year can provide a solid basis for a network that is effective. Following are some interconnected questions to consider as you begin to plan for high-speed Wi-Fi across schools and districts. The answer to one most probably will affect the answer to others.
Key Questions
- How many devices will the Wi-Fi network need to support now and how many devices in the short and long term future?
- How will those devices be used in the near term and in the longer term?
- In addition to tablets or laptops what other types of devices on campus will need Wi-Fi access (printers, digital media players, microconsoles)?
- How will Wi-Fi access in “common areas” (cafeteria, hallways, courtyard, fields, etc.) on school campuses be used?
- What levels of access and permissions will be needed for students, teachers, administrators IT staff and guests?
- How will BYOD be handled?
- How centralized will the management of the network be across the district?
- Can the IT department implement the Wi-Fi network or are outside vendors required?
- Is the WLAN architecture sufficient to handle the requirements among schools?
- What type of new or upgraded equipment will be required to implement or increase Wi-Fi access?