Digital Connections Initiative August 2016
Agenda School Technology Readiness Survey EducationSuperHighway Programs Digital Connections Partnership Schools Grant & Loan Program Q&A
Digital learning is transforming education At West Springfield Middle School, the ability to have students zoom into a live view of the Nile River, run for President using icivics.org, or create graphs and data-based presentations using Google Apps has increased student engagement, fine-tuned assessment, and tightened student and teacher collaborations. Since 2015, over 25,000 additional students in Massachusetts have gained enhanced access to digital learning in preparation for the 21st-century workforce through the DCPS grant. A Boston College Study of Natick High School found a positive correlation between increases in students scoring proficient or higher on the 10th grade MCAS and the introduction of personalized learning models supported by technology. In the Falmouth Public Schools, 7th grade teachers create, share, and edit together using a Spiral Science Google Site with a page for each strand teachers are responsible to cover. As teachers come across information, they post them the appropriate standards page to use.
Bandwidth needs are growing K-12 schools are increasing digital learning and number of connected devices Bandwidth needed over the next 20 years 6000 ~35x growth Bandwidth (Mbps) 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 Bandwidth needs are growing 50% per year in schools using digital learning 0 '15 '16 '17 '18 '19 '20 '21 '22 '23 '24 '25 '26 '27 '28 '29 '30 '31 '32 '33 '34 For more information on this data, contact jack@educationsuperhighway.org Year
High-speed Internet in the classroom provides an important foundation to prepare our kids to compete for the jobs of the future. We are committed to making sure our kids have the tools to succeed and look forward to continuing our efforts to expand high-speed Internet to classrooms across the Commonwealth. Governor Charlie Baker.
Massachusetts Digital Connections Initiative Provides tools, assistance, and funding to bridge the digital divide that exists in some schools across the Commonwealth and strengthen 21 st century teaching and learning. Three elements of the Initiative that we ll cover today School Technology Readiness Survey EducationSuperHighway Programs Digital Connections Partnership Schools Grant & Loan Program Focused on school internal networks (i.e., Category 2) Supports Internet access and wide area network upgrades (i.e., Category 1) May be used for Category 1 and/or Category 2 upgrades
Is your network ready for digital learning? Digital Connections Initiative action steps for school district technology leaders Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 I m confident my district s network is digital-learning ready. Complete the School Technology Readiness Survey* I m unsure if my district is digital-learning ready and would like a check-up. Complete the School Technology Readiness Survey* Sign up for an EducationSuperHighway Consult* I know my district needs an upgrade and we need funding to do it. Complete the School Technology Readiness Survey* Sign up for an EducationSuperHighway Consult* Apply for the program by October 7, 2016 * Required if seeking a waiver of the computer-based testing requirement
School Technology Readiness Survey Complete the survey for every school in your district Helps us understand the obstacles to digital learning Helps MassIT estimate project costs Helps ESE make the case for funding in future years Required if seeking a waiver of computer-based testing Focused on internal, Wi-Fi networks (i.e., Category 2 )
EducationSuperHighway mission Upgrade the Internet access in every public school classroom in America so that all students can take advantage of the promise of digital learning.
In Massachusetts 84 school districts (out of 295 districts) need broadband upgrades
Pricing is highly variable Monthly Cost - 100 Mbps Lit Fiber Internet Circuits less than $700 $700 less than $1400 $1400 less than $2100 $2100 $2800 more than $2800
We help accelerate your broadband upgrades.
We work with you at no cost Connect all your schools to fiber Find cost-effective broadband options ESH Broadband Program Implement robust Wi-Fi in every classroom DCPS Grant & Loan Programs Our district consulting team works with you to understand your district's technology goals and find a broadband solution that ensures students get the connectivity needed to meet those goals. All of our tools and services are free of charge.
Why should schools upgrade, and why now? E-rate funding and rule changes have created an UNPRECEDENTED, SHORT TERM OPPORTUNITY to connect schools to fiber and offer more upgrade options
Fiber and Bandwidth Upgrade Program Hold a kickoff call to understand your current network infrastructure and future needs Research technology and provider options by engaging directly with the provider community Help you develop your 470/RFP strategy and build a business case Support you in selecting a vendor and procuring a solution after bids are received Provide technical and implementation support as needed after the 471 is submitted
Broadband Program Case Study: Cobre Consolidated Schools, NM
Digital Learning Technology Use MODERATE Technology use is variable and typically driven by individual teachers; devices are primarily in labs and on carts. 30% concurrent users FULL USE (1:1) Technology is widely available; most students interact with a computing device most school days. Moving services to the cloud 50% concurrent users MEDIA RICH Every student has a technology-enabled learning experience during the school day. Cloud-based services 80% concurrent users 84 Mbps 2018 Circuit Size (Mbps) With 80 students, San Lorenzo Elementary will need 120 Mbps by 2018 to meet digital learning goals 120 Mbps 160 Mbps Moderate Full Use (1:1) Media Rich 1,050 kbps/student 1,500 kbps/student* 1,995 kbps/student
Most Preferred Service Type Lit Fiber Windstream CenturyLink Provider Option Verizon Brainstorm Frontier Conterra Leased Dark Fiber Zayo WANRack Southwestern Wireless SCSConnect Least Preferred Wireless Fiber Construction Brainstorm CellularOne Network Cabling Company SandiaLightwave Affiniti
Provider Provider A Provider A Provider B Service Type Lit Fiber Lit Fiber Self-Provisioned Bandwidth 100 Mbps 1 Gbps 1 Gbps+ Contract Length 3 Years 3 Years 3 Years (on Maint.) NRC - $3,750 $3,918,007 MRC/Maintenance $3,558 $9,982 $30,000 Total Cost per Provider $4,073,008 $4,223,008 $4,373,008 $4,523,008 $535,971 $228,590 $1,554,434 $905,639 $1,235,858 $462,478 $639,074 $780,246 Year 5 Year 10 Year 15 Year 20 Provider A (100 Mbps) Provide A (1 Gbps)
We are so grateful for all your help with the RFP. Getting fiber to our district is a bigger project than we have ever taken on, but you made it seem easy.
High-level project plan Project Start Summer- Early Fall RFP Filing Window Early-Mid Fall E-rate Deadline Feb - Mar Schools not on fiber Identify & Outreach Research & Prepare Plan Buy-In, Funding & Vendor Selection Implementation Schools on fiber Identify & Outreach Research & Prepare Plan Buy-In, Vendor Selection Implementation
Our Massachusetts consulting team Aarti Bhatnagar Project Lead aarti@educationsuperhighway.org Jason Warchol Network Consultant jason@educationsuperhighway.org Hayley Beers District Consultant hayley@educationsuperhighway.org Ellen Goldich District Consultant ellen@educationsuperhighway.org
Getting started Claim your spot in the Massachusetts school broadband project Find out if your district is on our upgrade list See how your district connectivity stacks up Share your current network architecture and future plans Sign up here: https://calendly.com/massachusetts
Digital Connections Partnership Schools Grant & Loan Program Grants $2 million in state bond funds cover nondiscounted project costs under the federal E- rate program (state match) State will cover non-discounted project costs until the funds run out Local Match May come from other public or private sources Provided to MassIT before project starts Loans $10 million in interest-free loans to cover discounted costs (local match) Up to $2.5 million per district All districts eligible for loans Districts may apply for a loan only
How the Grant and Loan Program Works Provides financial, technical, and administrative support for school districts to improve their technology infrastructure in support of digital learning. Districts share information about how they intend to use technology in the classroom and their current infrastructure. MassIT assesses the cost of improving each school s infrastructure and determines the percentage of the project eligible for E-Rate reimbursements. Cost of an Example Project $100K 70K Eligible for E-rate reimbursement Eligible for loan 30K Eligible for state grant funding District takes a nointerest loan to pay for this part of the project MassIT manages the E-Rate paperwork District uses the reimbursement to pay off the loan State grant pays for the rest
DCPS Grant and Loan Program Timeline COMPLETE SURVEY APPLY FINALIZE FUNDING WORK WITH VENDORS ACCEPT LOAN FROM MSBA DO THE PROJECT The School Technology Readiness Survey helps ESE understand the obstacles to digital learning This survey is a prerequisite to the application, but we d like all districts to participate. Surveys for all schools in the district due by October 7. Applications scored based on alignment to priorities of the grant Applications prioritized based on region, students served, Ch. 70 contribution, and other factors Applications and surveys due by October 7. Finalists and award amounts announced at the end of October. Finalists can apply for nointerest loans to cover project expenses eligible for E-Rate funding. Districts sign an MOU with MassIT, who will act as fiscal agent for this process. In November and December, finalists host walkthroughs for vendors included in ITC47 and ITT50. When vendors are selected, districts sign MOUs with them and MassIT. MassIT assists as needed and writes a Statement of Work. Finalists pursuing a nointerest loan from will seek municipal approval as required. Semifinalists (districts that do not receive state grant funding) can apply for a loan to cover 100% of the project. Loans must be paid back in 5 years. MassIT cuts purchase requests for vendors. Winners collaborate with vendor to get the work completed by June 30. MassIT files E- Rate paperwork on behalf of participating districts.
Massachusetts Digital Connections Initiative Provides tools, assistance, and funding to bridge the digital divide that exists in some schools across the Commonwealth and strengthen 21 st century teaching and learning. Three elements of the Initiative that we ll cover today School Technology Readiness Survey EducationSuperHighway Programs Digital Connections Partnership Schools Grant & Loan Program Focused on school internal networks (i.e., Category 2) Supports Internet access and wide area network upgrades (i.e., Category 1) May be used for Category 1 and/or Category 2 upgrades
Q & A
Ancillary Content
Category 2 Funding Estimator
Bandwidth Calculator
Compare & Connect K-12 Tool