. . . THE RURAL CONNECTION

Connecting Country Roads to Cyberspace

Connecting Country Roads Connecting Country Roads to Cyberspaceto Cyberspace

PURC Fall RoundtablePURC Fall RoundtableSeptember 29, 2004September 29, 2004

4 years ago…4 years ago…

No broadband access for 250 small/rural schools Hardware/software in short supplyHigh tech training/skills/opportunities limitedLittle guidance for tech investments – TCO/ROITeachers lacked instructional integration strategiesStudent academic performance not satisfactory

. . . THE RURAL CONNECTION

Connecting Country Roads to Cyberspace

Connecting Country Roads to Cyberspace

. . . THE RURAL CONNECTION

Connecting Country Roads to Cyberspace

““No Excuses”No Excuses”

Geographic isolationMany students eligible for Title IHigh migrant populationLimited job opportunitiesLow profit margins = little investment Static teacher pool No economy of scale advantages

. . . THE RURAL CONNECTION

Connecting Country Roads to Cyberspace

USDE USDE Technology Innovation Technology Innovation

Challenge GrantChallenge GrantBroadband Internet access T-1 & T-3Vertical technology planning TCO/ROIHardware/software/web subscriptionsVideo conferencingDistance learning (teachers/students)Integration trainingLearning communities

. . . THE RURAL CONNECTION

Connecting Country Roads to Cyberspace

Services & ProductsServices & ProductsE-rate assistance ($1.2 m/yr +)Tech leadership

• connectivity conference• COSN-ISTE total cost of ownership• collaborative planning & purchasing• grant identification/assistance

Standards Electronically Delivered SDMy-Points.org (staff development management system)

Connecting Country Roads to Cyberspace

. . . THE RURAL CONNECTION

Connecting Country Roads to Cyberspace

ResultsResultsIncreased:

student reading, math and writing scores parent involvementschool gradestech skillsjob opportunities

. . . THE RURAL CONNECTION

Connecting Country Roads to Cyberspace

Still to come…Still to come…Adequate equipment & digital curriculumContinued integration trainingOngoing distance learning opportunitiesEnhanced group purchase optionsExpanded private/public partnershipsOngoing statewide collaboration Development of needed products/services

… through Florida Learning Alliance, Inc.