Montgomery County, NC: WiFi En Route

Posted by Infra on Monday, July 4th, 2016

North Carolinians across the state are using broadband to improve their education, their businesses and their lives. This video series will highlight some of the examples of broadband building better communities.

Montgomery County is a large, predominantly rural county, and many students have bus routes longer than 120 minutes each way.

The state designated Montgomery County a “low wealth” county, with 21.8% of families living below the federal poverty level, and many students don’t have access to devices or high-speed internet at home.

In 2015, the U.S. Department of Education awarded Montgomery County Schools an Investing in Innovation (i3) Fund grant. With funding from the grant and additional support from partners,Curriculum Associates, Golden LEAF Foundation and Dream Builders Communications, the school system launched a new initiative, “A Culture Creating Effective Systems for Success” (ACCESS).  Montgomery County Schools started a one device per student (1:1) program and outfitted eight buses with WiFi hotspots.

Administrators have seen a decrease in bad behavior/need for discipline as well as academic improvements, higher test scores and a greater efficiency in finishing homework.

We visited West Middle School to speak with Beth Lancaster, director of ACCESS and Chris Jonassen, assistant principal.

View full version (ncbroadband.gov)

Tags: , , , , ,

Comments are closed.

Follow InfraUSA on Twitter Facebook YouTube Flickr

CATEGORIES


Show us your infra! Show us your infra!

Video, stills and tales. Share images of the Infra in your community that demands attention. Post your ideas about national Infra issues. Go ahead. Show Us Your Infra!  Upload and instantly share your message.

Polls Polls

Is the administration moving fast enough on Infra issues? Are Americans prepared to pay more taxes for repairs? Should job creation be the guiding determination? Vote now!

Views

What do the experts think? This is where the nation's public policy organizations, trade associations and think tanks weigh in with analysis on Infra issues. Tell them what you think.  Ask questions.  Share a different view.

Blog

The Infra Blog offers cutting edge perspective on a broad spectrum of Infra topics. Frequent updates and provocative posts highlight hot button topics -- essential ingredients of a national Infra dialogue.


Dear Friends,

 

It is encouraging to finally see clear signs of federal action to support a comprehensive US infrastructure investment plan.

 

Now more than ever, our advocacy is needed to keep stakeholders informed and connected, and to hold politicians to their promises to finally fix our nation’s ailing infrastructure.

 

We have already engaged nearly 280,000 users, and hoping to add many more as interest continues to grow.

 

We require your support in order to rise to this occasion, to make the most of this opportunity. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to InfrastructureUSA.org.

 

Steve Anderson

Managing Director

 

SteveAnderson@InfrastructureUSA.org

917-940-7125

InfrastructureUSA: Citizen Dialogue About Civil Infrastructure