Graphite Blog

SEPTEMBER 22, 2020

E-rate is complicated. But complying with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) -- a requirement of E-rate -- doesn't have to be. It also provides an overview of E-rate, with answers to commonly asked questions about eligibility, services supported, and audits. What is E-rate?

E-rate 52

E-rate Digital Citizenship Broadband Internet Safety 52

Edsurge

FEBRUARY 26, 2024

Department of Education 2024 National Educational Technology Plan really sets forth an aspirational vision for how technology could transform learning, says Keith Krueger, CEO of the nonprofit the Consortium for School Networking. There are some attempts to plug the cavernous hole that would leave in funding broadband advances.

Digital Divide 164

Digital Divide EdTech Broadband E-rate 164

eSchool News

JANUARY 19, 2024

Key points: Without continued funding, schools and libraries may struggle to maintain or upgrade technological infrastructure See article: 3 ways the E-rate program helps level up learning See article: Will cybersecurity receive E-rate funding?

Digital Divide 98

Digital Divide E-rate Advocacy Libraries 98

Education Superhighway

AUGUST 1, 2017

Building out the infrastructure to support high-speed Internet access requires multi-layered collaboration between state and district leaders, school administrators, and service providers. students equal access to a robust, modern education, regardless of their socioeconomic background. HOW TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD FOR RURAL AMERICA.

Broadband 58

Broadband Accessibility Digital Learning E-rate 58

Edsurge

APRIL 22, 2020

We are thankful for those who broadcast the news and the broadband providers that have opened their networks, lifted data caps and fees, and promised not to discontinue service. Broadband providers are facing unprecedented pressure to deliver reliable connectivity as more of our economy shifts online. These are positive things.

Broadband 183

Broadband E-rate Data Accessibility 183

Education Superhighway

MAY 30, 2019

In 2016, EducationSuperHighway worked with the Virginia Department Of Education (VDOE) to hire an E-rate and school technology specialist. She’s a big advocate for expanding broadband access and digital equity, and she has become a key strategic planner for school Internet in Virginia.

Accessibility 75

Accessibility E-rate Broadband Meeting 75

eSchool News

MAY 10, 2017

As the world undergoes a digital transformation—with connectivity and access to computers and mobile devices playing an increasingly prominent role in everyone’s lives—elementary schools know they need to incorporate technology in the educational process to prepare their students for future success. billion in 2017.

E-rate 59

E-rate Blackboard Broadband Survey 59

Education Superhighway

AUGUST 1, 2017

Building out the infrastructure to support high-speed Internet access requires multi-layered collaboration between state and district leaders, school administrators, and service providers. students equal access to a robust, modern education, regardless of their socioeconomic background. HOW TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD FOR RURAL AMERICA.

Broadband 40

Broadband Accessibility Digital Learning E-rate 40

The Hechinger Report

JUNE 12, 2017

I give the kids access to all the tools pretty much right off the bat,” said Eric Bredder, with a sweeping gesture taking in the computer workstations, 3-D printers, laser cutters and milling machines, plus a bevy of wood and metalworking tools that he uses while teaching computer science, engineering and design classes. “I

Broadband 96

Broadband Digital Divide Accessibility Blackboard 96

Education Superhighway

MARCH 2, 2015

In light of recent changes to the E-rate program, we’re working to help ensure the accuracy of this year’s Category 1 applications. Plus, we’re hosting webinars to walk through how to avoid mistakes on your Category 1 — Item 21 funding request. Wednesday, March 4 , 3pm EST / 12pm PST — Access code: 534-356-521#.

E-rate 40

E-rate Broadband Analysis Accessibility 40

eSchool News

MARCH 25, 2016

Big E-rate changes mean schools must chart a new path. A bigger annual cap isn’t the only recent change to the E-rate program. We asked E-rate guru John Harrington, CEO of Funds for Learning, for his application-time thoughts and advice. There’s money for infrastructure projects, too.

E-rate 40

E-rate Data System Accessibility 40

Education Superhighway

FEBRUARY 10, 2020

Over the past eight years, WANRack has worked with schools and communities to close the digital divide and ensure students have access to digital learning in every classroom, every day. “We are incredibly proud to provide access that opens up new opportunities for students.”

Digital Divide 70

Digital Divide E-rate Broadband Digital Learning 70

Education Superhighway

APRIL 3, 2018

With that in mind, here’s a guide to assess school district network needs and implement affordable broadband upgrades. In a school environment, the two main drivers of how much network bandwidth you need are: 1. To address this, take a tally of the number of devices that will access your network on a regular basis.

E-rate 70

E-rate Broadband BYOD Smartphone 70

Education Superhighway

JUNE 13, 2019

Thanks to public E-rate data, state partners, and a national survey , we’ve been able to clarify roughly 98% of school connectivity data and report on the state of Internet in education. Here’s how broadband data provided by school districts across the nation helps improve educational equity for America’s students: 1.

E-rate 40

E-rate Broadband Data Analysis 40

Education Superhighway

JULY 18, 2018

“We need to make sure there’s equal access [for] all kids. All kids need to have access to these tools… when that didn’t exist, it created this sense of urgency.” The California state team provided guidance on the E-rate RFP process and developed a Form 470 strategy.

Broadband 58

Broadband E-rate Digital Learning Accessibility 58

eSchool News

APRIL 7, 2016

A new report details the importance of state advocacy in connecting schools, students to broadband internet. A new report from SETDA and Common Sense Kids Action focuses on K-12 broadband and wi-fi connectivity, state leadership for infrastructure, state broadband implementation highlights, and state advocacy for federal broadband support.

Report 40

Report Broadband E-rate Advocacy 40

Education Superhighway

AUGUST 10, 2017

In today’s classrooms, basic Internet access is not enough. Having high-speed access in school networks is now a necessity in every child’s education. If you are thinking about how to improve your district’s connectivity but are unsure about where to begin, here are three questions to help start the conversation.

Broadband 64

Broadband E-rate Digital Learning Accessibility 64

Education Superhighway

AUGUST 10, 2017

In today’s classrooms, basic Internet access is not enough. Having high-speed access in school networks is now a necessity in every child’s education. If you are thinking about how to improve your district’s connectivity but are unsure about where to begin, here are three questions to help start the conversation.

Broadband 63

Broadband E-rate Digital Learning Tools 63

Edsurge

JANUARY 21, 2021

And we’ve only seen the beginning—within the next few years, the company is poised to disrupt the healthcare market, become the market leader in online advertising, establish itself as a competitor to USPS, FedX and UPS, and provide global access to broadband internet through a network of satellites orbiting the planet… to name but a few examples.

Education 218

Education Company E-rate Industry 218

Education Superhighway

NOVEMBER 27, 2017

100 kbps per student may have been sufficient bandwidth when there were only 520 students and few devices, but as the student population and technology use grew, so did the district’s need for more robust broadband. Merritt can now rely on Internet access throughout the school without having to worry about the signal dropping.

Digital Learning 92

Digital Learning Guidelines E-rate Edcamps 92

eSchool News

JUNE 22, 2016

The growing ubiquity of internet access and pervasive use of online information has changed the learning landscape forever. billion increase in E-rate funding over the last 18 months. A holistic approach will ensure that school-aged children aren’t reduced to little or no access. Together, we’re better.

E-rate 46

E-rate Broadband Digital Divide Survey 46

Educator Innovator

FEBRUARY 24, 2014

In 2008, the high school graduation rate at Winterboro High School was 63 percent. Although there are many other factors that could have improved that graduation rate, the engagement that technology can foster—if done well—likely had an impact. What do we make of this 18th birthday of the E-Rate program?

Digital Learning 28

Digital Learning E-rate Broadband Learning 28

eSchool News

MARCH 7, 2016

It was the 100-percent response rate from the survey. “We We knew most districts and schools would respond, but a 100-percent response rate shows that technology is a high priority for education leaders throughout the state,” he said. Connected Nation released the results of the survey last month. “We

Digital Learning 40

Digital Learning Assessment E-rate Survey 40

Edsurge

AUGUST 7, 2018

For more than 20 years, the Federal Communications Commission has directed the multi-billion dollar E-rate program, which provides taxpayer-supported construction and service discounts that districts and libraries can use toward internet costs. A quarter of respondents rated the system neither easy nor difficult in the 2017 survey.

E-rate 79

E-rate Broadband Survey Analysis 79

Edsurge

OCTOBER 12, 2016

In rural districts, children and youth face profound obstacles—geographic isolation and long bus rides to school, frustratingly slow internet connections, limited course options, and low college-going rates. Specifically, only one-third of rural students matriculate in college compared to nearly half of urban students.

Personalized Learning 60

Personalized Learning E-rate Outcomes Learning 60

Education Superhighway

AUGUST 28, 2015

Located on a large island in the middle of the Columbia River, Sauvie Island Academy faced several roadblocks to obtaining sufficient broadband speeds. Unsure of how to proceed, Sauvie Island Academy’s Executive Director approached EducationSuperHighway for assistance with the school’s network upgrade.

Broadband 40

Broadband E-rate Digital Learning Analysis 40

eSchool News

FEBRUARY 10, 2016

Ensuring wi-fi access at home or on the school bus is a top priority for a district still planning its one-to-one. Put simply, asking a fifth-grade student to watch an instructional video before the next day’s flipped classroom science lesson will fall on deaf ears if the child doesn’t have access to the internet at home.

E-rate 40

E-rate Chromebook Accessibility Flipped Classroom 40

edWeb.net

JANUARY 21, 2022

In the edLeader Panel, “ Broadband and Beyond: How to Optimize Your Network to Sustain and Support Growth ,” current and former district technology officials discussed their work since the pandemic began and the future needs of their systems. Wesley Watts, Jr. Creating the Future.

Broadband 91

Broadband E-rate Education Future Ready 91

The Learning Revolution Has Begun

OCTOBER 17, 2011

Politics and Policies FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced Connect to Compete , a new non-profit initiative that brings private industry and the non-profit sector together to help expand broadband adoption and promote digital literacy. Launches Rated JPG reports that beloved toy-maker LEGO is building its own social network.

Knewton 43

Knewton Pearson E-rate Education 43

techlearning

SEPTEMBER 27, 2018

Source: Courtesy of CoSN ( [link] ) During the past two decades, efforts to provide America’s schools with high speed Internet access have made great progress. However, the increasingly ubiquitous use of technology in instruction has resulted in a new digital divide between students who have home Internet access and those who do not.

How To 46

How To Broadband E-rate Digital Divide 46

Education Superhighway

NOVEMBER 6, 2017

Though the amount of bandwidth each district needs depends, among other factors, on its size and location, every district can benefit from planning broadband infrastructure with growing technology demands in mind. How Much Bandwidth Is Needed To Support Today’s Classroom Technology? Video collaboration. Video streaming.

E-rate 58

E-rate Broadband Digital Learning Video 58

eSchool News

FEBRUARY 3, 2023

This year’s Future of Education Technology Conference landed in New Orleans, and the conference was abuzz with post-pandemic learning recovery tools, solutions to promote equity among students and parents, strategies for digital access, student mental health, social and emotional learning tools, and more.

EdTech 131

EdTech Lenovo Robotics Laptops 131

eSchool News

JUNE 17, 2021

(June 2021) — To address the rapid yet uneven rise of education technology over the past year, LearnPlatform , the leading edtech effectiveness system, today announces the launch of the National Edtech Equity Dashboard , a free, publicly-accessible real-time view into overall K-12 edtech engagement trends in the U.S., About LearnPlatform.

EdTech 66

EdTech Digital Divide Trends E-rate 66

Edsurge

MARCH 20, 2020

There's a big giant access issue, both in terms of what happens when there’s no internet and then also what happens when you don’t have a device that can go on the internet,” says Beth Holland, the digital equity and rural project director at the Consortium for School Networking, an industry group for school tech directors.

Accessibility 212

Accessibility Broadband E-rate Smartphone 212

MindShift

DECEMBER 13, 2017

Companies can’t block access to any websites or apps, and can’t meddle with loading speeds. She also uses computers to teach her students how to find good sources versus bad sources. Studies have shown discrepancies in access to internet, especially with poor schools and in rural schools that lack high-speed internet.

E-rate 58

E-rate Classroom Libraries Broadband 58

The Learning Revolution Has Begun

JUNE 10, 2014

Thursday, June 12th at 1:45pm in Atherton, CA Common Sense Media: Discover and Use Great Ed Tech for Learning , How do you discover and use great ed tech tools for learning? First, learn how to discover new tools rated for learning, mapped to Common Core, and see how other teachers are using them.

Google 54

Google Classroom Digital Citizenship Conference 54

eSchool News

DECEMBER 23, 2022

Equity remained front and center, too, raising issues of inequitable technology access, along with racial and socioeconomic disparities and discrimination. More importantly, students will have better access to lessons designed specifically for their learning style. Access to interactive experiences, 3D drawings, site visits, etc.

EdTech 111

EdTech Data Classroom Accessibility 111