NCREL Policy Issues
Issue 15, January 2004
Policy Analysis
9. Priority for Less Connected Populations
As documented in reports by sources such as the Benton Foundation, the federal E-Rate funding has aided in promoting access for underserved populations. Much remains to be accomplished, however. The provision of access alone does not address the need for content and services tailored to students with special needs. Few of the seven states in the North Central region dedicate substantial resources targeted to improving technology access for less connected populations.
Illinois and Ohio illustrate what types of initiatives are possible. In Illinois, the Closing the Gap Program provides districts with additional funding to support and enhance the district's community-based technology plan and is targeted to low-income schools. The Illinois School Technology Revolving Loan Program provides low-cost financing to eligible school districts for technology hardware improvements. To date, the program has made 379 loans for a total of more than $63 million. In Ohio, the Ohio SchoolNet Telecommunity and the Interactive Video Distance Learning projects help Ohio's schools expand upon the local network infrastructure provided by the SchoolNet Wiring and ONEnet Ohio programs. Technology Equity Grant funds are designed to fill technology needs not addressed by the SchoolNet or SchoolNet Plus programs.
Resources
Illinois Closing the Gap Program
www.isbe.state.il.us/learn-technology/elearn/html/ctg.htm
Illinois School Technology Revolving
Loan Program
www.isbe.state.il.us/learn-technology/elearn/html/loan.htm
Ohio SchoolNet Telecommunity
www.ohioschoolnet.k12.oh.us/3_programs/default.asp?pg=2&tab=fastfacts&program=telecommunity
Ohio SchoolNet Interactive Video
Distance Learning
www.ohioschoolnet.k12.oh.us/3_programs/default.asp?pg=2&tab=fastfacts&program=ivdlp
Ohio SchoolNet Technology Equity
Grants
www.ohioschoolnet.k12.oh.us/3_programs/default.asp?pg=2&tab=fastfacts&program=techequity
