The document discusses closing the connectivity gap between schools that have adequate internet access and those that do not. It states that while 74,000 schools now meet the minimum broadband target of 1 Mbps per student, 6.5 million students still lack adequate access. Rural schools and those spending less on connectivity are less likely to meet targets. Increasing investment in fiber infrastructure and pursuing available matching state funds could connect more schools at low or no additional cost.

1. Closing the K–12
Connectivity Gap
In 2014, the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) E-rate Modernization
Order set a minimum bandwidth target of 1 Mbps per student by the
2017–2018 school year.
Although 74,000 schools now have sufficient internet access to support digital
learning, there’s still more work to be done to reduce the connectivity gap to zero.
6.5 million students still lack adequate internet access at school.
2,049 schools don’t have the fiber infrastructure they need.
3/4 of schools without adequate fiber are in rural communities.
Districts not meeting broadband targets spend
90% less on connectivity per student.
These districts will need to invest an additional $1.07 per
student per year to meet the minimum broadband goal.
Only 49% of districts in need of fiber infrastructure
submitted a Request for Proposal (RFP) or E-rate Form 470
in the 2016–2017 school year.
1/3 of the schools that did submit requests didn’t receive
any bids from service providers.
That means only 25% of districts in need of fiber were able
to get a bid from a service provider with a nearby network.
94% of districts could meet or exceed broadband targets
within their current budget by gaining access to the same deals
as peer districts.
58% of districts not meeting broadband targets have one or
more peer deals available from their current service provider.
2.6 million students could gain broadband internet
access through price transparency — without districts having to
switch service providers.
School investment levels
Fiber procurement process
Price transparency
52% of school districts have at least half of their E-rate
Category 2 budgets remaining, while another 22% have not
used any of their available funding.
18 states have made nearly $200 million in
matching funds available to defray fiber construction costs.
As a result, 25% of schools in need of fiber can be connected
at no cost to the district.
Another 30% of the remaining 1,500 schools could
be connected at no cost if their states establish matching funds.
Support 21st-century learning.
Insight helps schools plan, build and implement the IT infrastructure and Wi-Fi connectivity
necessary to support digital learning in the classroom, now and in the future.
Source:
EducationSuperHighway. (2017). 2017 State of the States.
1.800.INSIGHT | insight.com/education
Fiber construction budget
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5 steps school districts can take to close the gap
Plan at least 3 years ahead before signing new contracts with providers. Be sure
up grades will serve future demand, as well as current district needs.
Expand options on your RFP or Form 470 to maximize bids and interest. If
needed, get external support with forms and follow-up.
See what deals other districts in your area are getting. Price transparency has
reduced broadband costs by 78% since 2013. There’s a good chance you can
increase your broadband without raising your budget or switching providers.
Stay open to the possibility of switching providers, especially if your current
plan isn’t meeting your needs.
Prioritize funding for broadband infrastructure. $2.35 billion in E-rate Category
2 funding remains unspent and will expire in 2020.