Best Practices Around the Nation for Driving Broadband Connectivity and Access for Students

SETDA, the principal membership association of U.S. state and territorial digital learning leaders, today released a new national report, State K-12 Broadband Leadership: Driving Connectivity, Access and Student Success. This report highlights the powerful impact of state leadership in driving critical policy decisions at the state level to support broadband networks, bandwidth capacity, Wi-Fi implementation, and off campus access for low-income families.

Educators, policy makers and the private sector will benefit from organized and accessible information regarding states’ K12 broadband approaches. The work includes examples of states providing leadership for effective and efficient broadband and Wi-Fi implementation and case studies for Connecticut, Kentucky and Minnesota. Accompanying this report is an online State K12 Broadband Leadership map which includes an overview of the approach for broadband implementation for all states and Guam.

SETDA has a track record for advocating for the importance of high-speed broadband access for students both on and off campus to prepare today’s students for college and career and to compete in a global economy. SETDA’s 2012 and 2016 Broadband Imperative reports provided guidance for states and districts regarding broadband implementation and planning.

“Equitable, personalized learning opportunities are critical for all students, in Connecticut and across the country,” shared Commissioner Dianna Wentzell, Connecticut State Board of Education. “Access to high-quality broadband in schools provides administrators, teachers, and students the opportunity to level the playing field with access to digital resources, field expertise, and collaborative learning experiences. While state approaches may differ, leadership is critical to ensuring broadband access for all,” Commissioner Wentzell continued.

“Since 1995 Kentucky has always valued, demonstrated and supported the importance of Internet connectivity in regards to the equity of access and opportunity for each of the 648,000 plus K-12 students we serve by being the first state to have high quality, reliable, equitable, fibered Internet service to every district and school in Kentucky,” said David Couch, K-12 CIO and Associate Commissioner of Education, Kentucky Department of Education.

“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,” shared 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.”

This report is based on research in partnership with state and private sector leaders including state CIOs, state network managers, E-rate Coordinators, digital learning administrators, and through the support of ENA, Kajeet, Mobile Beacon & Parana River Group. The online map is provided in partnership with ESRI.

Full Report
Online State K12 Broadband Leadership Map