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Friday Institute leads pilot K-12 connectivity initiative for state

Raleigh, N.C. -- Imagine students using computer simulations to design a bridge or an airplane wing using high-performance computing resources on the other side of the state. Without high-speed access to the Internet, these new learning tools and practices are beyond the reach of most schools.

At the request of the N.C. Board of Education and Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at North Carolina State University is leading the implementation of a $6 million state-funded pilot project to provide high-speed network connectivity to all K-12 schools in North Carolina.

State government, educators and businesses are working to build an education network supporting K-12 schools by extending and expanding a statewide, high-speed network backbone developed over the past 20 years to support North Carolina's public universities. Friday Institute Director of Technology Phil Emer is leading the statewide implementation team to develop pilot projects to demonstrate the opportunities.

Such a statewide network would provide high-quality, reliable Internet access and instructional content everywhere in the state, including classes being developed by the North Carolina Virtual Public School. The Virtual Public School provides online classes that are not available locally, such as Advanced Placement courses.

A recent state-funded study found that less than 8 percent of elementary, middle and high schools in North Carolina have adequate high-speed Internet access to support new teaching and learning applications and content. Local school systems typically have limited budgets for technology tools and staff, and limited experience in fully leveraging federal funding opportunities. Other states are responding to the challenges. Today, 34 states have coordinated networks serving K-12 schools.

To address the challenges in North Carolina, the General Assembly approved the $6 million pilot initiative in 2006. Rep. Joe Tolson, Sen. Vernon Malone, Rep. Doug Yongue and Rep. Marvin Lucas are primary sponsors of legislation filed for consideration in the 2007 legislative session for $24 million a year to support full statewide implementation.

State funding would supplement federal funding available through the "e-rate" program that provides discounts of 20 percent to 90 percent of the costs of telecommunications and Internet services to schools and libraries. By leveraging federal e-rate funding support estimated at more than $30 million a year, establishing regional networking initiatives, and partnering with commercial providers to connect each K-12 school to the statewide backbone, teachers and students would have access to new tools and resources required to transform education in the 21st century.

In addition to supporting the statewide broadband education network and coordinating applications for federal funding, the plan provides for regional technical and engineering support. The statewide investment would also free resources for local school systems to purchase technology equipment for classrooms and have technology support staff in local systems focused on helping teachers use technology in the classroom.

"Technology is the chalk and blackboard of the 21st century," said Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue. "Our students need 21st century technology to compete in today's global economy. This initiative will help level the playing field by allowing all students access to 21st century learning options with state-of-the-art technology, regardless of where they live. Students don't just learn from 8 to 3; 21st century technology gives students, their families, and all citizens access to learning, 24/7. This is a critical investment at the right time for North Carolina schools."

Rep. Tolson, a member of the General Assembly's Joint Technology Oversight Committee and a leader in securing support for the $6 million pilot initiative, said he is encouraged by the teamwork and commitment of all parties dedicated to provide teachers and students with the tools required to succeed in the 21st century.

"We must all collaborate to leverage our strengths and resources to develop a unified, seamless broadband network to support education at all grade levels," Tolson said. "Education is the key to economic development and quality of life for all North Carolinians. The deployment of these pilot projects by the Friday Institute helps demonstrate the benefits as we work to ensure that all schools have high-quality connectivity to the Internet and other educational content in every corner of the state. This initiative is a worthy investment in our future."

NC State Chancellor James Oblinger said that reliable high-speed access is critical to delivering interactive content and creating new approaches for teaching and learning in the 21st century.

"NC State and the Friday Institute are committed to using innovative information and communication technologies to help develop technologically advanced teachers and students. This high-speed network plays an important role in helping us to achieve this goal. In addition, we are placing a special emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math education at our state's K-12 schools. At NC State, we're using our research to help prepare and retrain new teachers," Oblinger said.

For more information about the K-12 Connectivity Project, please see http://connectivity.fi.ncsu.edu.