November 16th, 2009

The Idaho Education Network Connects Schools and Broadens Horizons

The vision for the Idaho Education Network sets forth the goals for the use of information technology in Idaho, building upon Idaho’s successes in using technology to expand access to services, reduce costs, increase efficiency and improve public safety. Public officials and lawmakers in Idaho recognize that high-speed broadband access and connectivity are vital for economic growth, education, global competitiveness, innovation and creativity. Specifically, ensuring high-speed broadband access for all Idaho students will prepare them for work and life in the 21st century and will also accelerate our teachers’ ability to teach and our students’ ability to learn.

While some Idaho schools and public libraries currently operate with adequate high speed internet connectivity (T1 connections or more), others operate with little or no high speed internet access. This disparity affects individual students, as those without access also must learn without modern learning tools. It also affects the state system, keeping it from implementing statewide improvement tools such as online assessments and other collective investments as they are forced to lower standards to include the lowest level capabilities. In Idaho, there is agreement on the need to improve broadband access at the school, district and state level in K-12 education, as evidenced by the recent introduction and passing by the Idaho Legislature of House Bill No. 543-Idaho Education Network. The legislative directives stipulated in this bill emphasize the urgency of making improvements to statewide virtual connectivity. One of the priorities of the IEN is to ensure that this “umbrella of connectivity” allows for the expansion of dual credit enrollment opportunities which allow students to take college courses while still in high school, particularly in rural areas of Idaho.

The major focus of the IEN in the first phase of its implementation plan is to connect to sufficient high-speed broad band capabilities every high school in Idaho over the course of the next three years. In the second and third phases of the project, the IEN will work to connect middle schools, elementary schools and libraries to sufficient high-speed broad band capabilities as well. In addition, this statewide network connection will open doors for schools and communities to access educational opportunities from around the state, nation and world.

In practical terms, just what does this mean for high school students in Idaho? As the Idaho Education Network develops and expands its network of service and opportunities across the state in phase one, high school students will:

  • Have access to basic core and advanced courses transmitted from other Idaho high schools they currently cannot access due to limitations in personnel, space, and resources
  • Participate in dual credit coursework transmitted in “real time” fashion from one of Idaho’s public or private colleges and universities who provide dual credit opportunities
  • Experience the wonder of visiting faraway places, both on our earth and beyond, through the technology of “virtual tours.”

For more information, stop by your local high school or visit the Idaho Education Network’s website at http://www.ien.idaho.gov/index.htm.

Educators . Online Learning . Parents . Policymakers