To Pave the Way for Education Innovation, Schools and Libraries Need a “High-Fiber Diet”

Technology infrastructure isn’t really a sexy topic in education (even by policy wonk standards), but robust broadband infrastructure in schools is fundamental to the success of many of the most promising innovations in PreK-12 education. To truly support next generation connectivity—in other words, to make sure schools have enough bandwidth to actually use resources such as e-books, online courseware, HD videoconferencing, and more—the FCC’s E-rate program should prioritize service standards and encourage investment in fiber infrastructure.

While thankfully very few schools still rely on dial-up to access the internet, the broadband infrastructure connecting most schools provides service that doesn’t meet their current needs, let alone what they’ll need in the future. Earlier this year, President Obama and FCC Commissioner Rosenworcel proposed setting a target for school for speeds of 1 Gbps per thousand students at a school—a far cry from the 1.5 to 50 Mbps speeds found in say, almost all of New York City schools. With such low connectivity, for example, a school in Brooklyn would find it impossible to implement a 1:1 initiative that made use of resources like educational videos through Khan Academy (which recommends 1-1.5 Mbps per student device). If the FCC wants to help schools and libraries get that ConnectED, additional investments in infrastructure are needed. And the smartest investment is in fiber.

If the FCC wants to help schools and libraries get that ConnectED, additional investments in infrastructure are needed. And the smartest investment is in fiber.

Why fiber? Well, there are numerous benefits, but a significant one is that fiber is the only technology that can easily support robust and consistent deployment of gigabit speeds. Fiber-optic cables have a nearly unlimited capacity for data transmission, meaning that bandwidth can be upgraded by installing new networking equipment and not by having to lay new cables. This ability to scale to future demand has led many to dub fiber infrastructure as “future proof.” Fiber is also more resilient than other technologies, less susceptible to corrosion and signal interference.

A number of states, school districts, and libraries support the speed targets put forward for schools and libraries and have told the FCC that fiber infrastructure is the most cost-effective way to achieve these speeds. Utah is one state that has led the way, in terms of both investing in and using the high-speed connectivity available through fiber infrastructure.

Supported in part by E-rate funding, the Utah Education Network [UEN]—created by the Utah legislature to support the state’s education technology infrastructure—has expanded its network to connect schools and libraries throughout the state; currently, a majority of schools are connected to the state network at 100Mbps, and many have achieved 1 Gbps speeds. To achieve this level of connectivity, UEN has invested in fiber infrastructure, noting in their public comments that “fiber infrastructure is the most cost-effective way to deliver advanced, high capacity broadband because it is the most ‘future proof’ method of delivery.”

One innovative use enabled by this vast fiber infrastructure is the state’s interactive video conferencing system. Through this video conferencing system, high schools throughout the state are able to provide access to a vast number of previously-unavailable resources to students, including college-level instruction offered on campuses throughout the state. For students in rural schools where dual-enrollment may not otherwise be feasible, this is a great opportunity.

This level of connectivity hasn’t just fueled innovation by state organizations. The Utah Open Textbook project, which started in 2010 with 10 high school science teachers adopting open textbooks in their classrooms, led to the development of open science textbooks from grades 7 to 12 that are free and publicly available for all teachers and students to use. While it is possible to download or print these materials, when a text directs a student to YouTube to follow up on a concept—like frame of reference in Physics—students lacking adequate connectivity miss out on an invaluable opportunity to reinforce learning. Innovations like these are difficult to scale without investing in 21^st Century broadband infrastructure.

Utah—along with several other states including South Dakota and Wisconsin—has already made tremendous strides increasing school and library connectivity through fiber investment. As the FCC continues the process of E-rate program modernization, prioritizing scalable fiber infrastructure investments will encourage greater efficiencies moving forward. It will also provide a strong platform for education innovation, allowing networked educators to connect and share resources both throughout their states and across the country.

For a more in-depth look at our recommendations, check out New America’s reply comments on E-rate modernization.

This post is the first of a four part series, covering four priorities for modernization of the FCC’s E-rate program. Given the rapid rate of technology adoption in schools—everything from 1:1 initiatives and blended learning, to the use of open education resources and online assessment—it’s essential that we make the most of this opportunity for reform. I also highlight examples from around the country that demonstrate the potential of these reforms to promote equal connectivity.