Dozens of rural Alaska schools will have access to faster internet next year as a result of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of an education bill.
In addition to a historic increase in per-pupil formulas that cover school and student transportation costs, rural Alaska schools are unable to apply in time for federal grants to pay for internet speeds of up to 100 megabits per second. there is a possibility. 2019 — a 4x increase compared to the previous year.
Supporters say the increase is critical for rural schools, where internet prices are high and lack of internet is a barrier to an equitable education for students.
Lisa Paradis, executive director of the Alaska Council of School Administrators, an umbrella organization for school leaders, said if the House can pass an internet speed bill by Wednesday, schools should meet the deadline. She has long been an advocate for increasing internet speeds in rural schools.
“Connectivity is synonymous with opportunity,” she said. “So denying rural communities enough bandwidth not only perpetuates educational disparities, but also impedes their ability to innovate, collaborate, and compete on a global scale.”
Now, rural areas are pinning their hopes on another standalone internet measure, House Bill 193. The bill, introduced last year by Rep. Bryce Edgmon (I-Dillingham), could change state law before it’s too late for schools to apply for speed improvements. . The bill awaits a vote by the full House.
The law must be passed by March 27 for schools to benefit next year.
Rep. Craig Johnson (R-Anchorage), chairman of the House Rules Committee, is one of the people who will decide which bills advance to a vote. He did not say Tuesday when or if the bill would be introduced.
“We know there’s a deadline. We know it’s important. We’re working on it. How does it get to the floor? How does it get to the floor? “That will be discussed in the next three to four days,” he said.
He pointed to another bill, House Bill 392, filed by Rep. Tom McKay (R-Anchorage), which includes increasing internet speeds in rural schools. The bill is similar to Senate Bill 140, which Dunleavy vetoed, but adds the governor’s proposal regarding teacher retention benefits. It is unclear whether the bill will succeed, given that the House of Representatives rejected the bonus provision in February.
The Alaska School Broadband Assistance Grant Program was created in 2014 to help schools with the costs of increasing broadband access. It uses federal funding under the E-Rate program and matches state funding at a nearly 8-to-1 ratio.
Last year, 151 schools in half of the state’s school districts benefited from the program.
In late February, the Alaska Department of Education recommended districts apply for both 25 mbps and 100 mbps to be eligible for increases regardless of whether state law changes.
Alaska Telecommunications Association board member and industry advocate Christine O’Connor said most schools are currently in the process of vetting proposals for internet service. The deadline for selection is one week later.
“They can choose the level they want, but the question for schools will be ‘are they funded?’ That’s up in the air,” O’Connor said.
She said 25 mbps is available in smaller schools and is certainly better than no internet. Her home internet plan is 40 mbps, which she said is a little low for reference.
“Going from 25 mbps to 100 mbps increases speed, but it also increases capacity,” she said. “More people will be able to use the Internet at the same time.”
Educators in rural and remote areas say that’s the crux of the problem.
Fairness and accountability
Kuspuku School District Superintendent Madeline Aguilar said that at 25Mbps, only about 10 students can take an online test in a school building at the same time, and when access is limited, schools can He said that there are doubts as to whether the government can be held accountable. It’s not fair.
“Still, tests can sometimes result in students being expelled. Imagine taking a standardized test, the screen goes blank, and someone in the district office tells you, ‘You’ll have to retake it four times.’ How well do you think you can do? ” she said. “Really, how accurate is our data? Even if the results come back months later, what will happen to that student’s confidence? All because of something completely within our control. is.”
Emily Eakin, director of technology for the Northwest Arctic Borough School District, told the House Finance Committee that two of the district’s largest schools have more than 300 students and faculty, and all have 25 Mbps. He said he is sharing.
“Twenty-five megabits per school is currently insufficient to meet the current and growing demand for learning and general operations within a school district.With the increase in online educational curriculum, testing, and business operations, bandwidth requirements are increasing. has increased dramatically in recent years,” she said.
She said speeds were “frustratingly slow”, leaving staff unable to complete even simple tasks such as taking attendance and students unable to access online learning materials.
Alaska ranks 51st in the nation for internet coverage and availability in the state’s five-year digital equity plan, which aims to increase access. The report states that lack of access is a “barrier to community and economic development.”
This article originally appeared in the Alaska Beacon and is republished here with permission.
