The nation’s top 10 states for school internet connectivity
43 governors commit to increasing school bandwidths to 1Mpbs per student
Washington, DC (April 12, 2021) – Connected Nation is announcing the top states in the nation for school internet connectivity according to data published through the nonprofit’s Connect K-12 website*.
“The pandemic demonstrated how important it is to continue to improve our school internet networks. Many teachers and students relied on these networks to support remote learning and access when schools closed,” said Emily Jordan, Vice President, Connect K-12. “The states and school districts that were already working toward expanding their internet bandwidth capabilities were positioned to more quickly respond during the challenges that emerged.”
Connect K-12 has a goal to help each school district reach 1Mpbs per student. That is the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) recommended bandwidth to allow for digital learning in every classroom, every day. Right now, 26 states are at or above the national average of 47% school districts meeting that goal. The top 10 states for school district connectivity are:
- Hawaii, 100%
- South Dakota, 99%
- Arkansas, 99%
- North Dakota, 97%
- Utah, 80%
- Wyoming, 72%
- Oklahoma, 66%
- Maine, 63%
- Wisconsin, 62%
- Montana, 61%
“Connection, communication, and collaboration are critical to both innovation and to student success,” said Gov. David Ige, about his state’s focus on improving school district bandwidth and internet connectivity. “Hawaii has long been a leader in broadband access for students, with 100% of our schools having fiber access for many years. I am committed to maximizing our students’ learning opportunities and support the goal of every student having access to 1 megabit per second of bandwidth.”
In total, 43 governors are committed to reaching the 1Mpbs per student goal and are working toward that effort. The Connect K-12 website can help state and school district leaders negotiate better pricing for their federal E-rate dollars, which funds school connectivity improvements, and get closer to reaching and exceeding the FCC recommendation.
The site is a FREE tool that aggregates, analyzes, and visualizes E-rate data so school district and state leaders can more easily and effectively negotiate better internet pricing and reach their connectivity goals. To learn more, visit https://connectk12.org/. You can view the national report issued in November 2020 by heading here: https://connectk12.org/national.
*Based on E-rate data published in October 2020
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Jessica Denson, Communications Director
Connected Nation
jdenson@connectednation.org
502-341-2024
About Connected Nation: Our mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand access to and increase the adoption and use of broadband (high-speed internet) and its related technologies for all people. Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation.
Connected Nation works with consumers, local community leaders, states, technology providers, and foundations to develop and implement technology expansion programs with core competencies centered on a mission to improve digital inclusion for people and places previously underserved or overlooked. For more information, please visit connectednation.org and follow Connected Nation on Facebook and Twitter.
About Funds For Learning: Funds For Learning® is a professional firm specializing in the federal E-rate funding program. Its mission is to provide high-quality consulting and support services for the needs of E-rate program participants, including preparing and submitting paperwork, and helping clients to understand and maintain compliance with E-rate rules and regulations. Proudly serving schools and libraries since 1997. For more information please visit https://www.fundsforlearning.com/.