1. Digital Connections Initiative
August 2016

2. Agenda School Technology Readiness Survey
EducationSuperHighway Programs
Digital Connections Partnership Schools Grant & Loan Program
Q&A

3. Digital learning is transforming education
At West Springfield Middle School, the ability to have students zoom into a live view of the Nile River, run for President using icivics.org, or create graphs and data-based presentations using Google Apps has increased student engagement, fine-tuned assessment, and tightened student and teacher collaborations.
In the Falmouth Public Schools, 7th grade teachers create, share, and edit together using a “Spiral Science” Google Site with a page for each strand teachers are responsible to cover. As teachers come across information, they post them the appropriate standards page to use.
Since 2015, over 25,000 additional students in Massachusetts have gained enhanced access to digital learning in preparation for the 21st-century workforce through the DCPS grant.
A Boston College Study of Natick High School found a positive correlation between increases in students scoring proficient or higher on the 10th grade MCAS and the introduction of personalized learning models supported by technology.

4. Bandwidth needs are growing
K-12 schools are increasing digital learning and number of connected devices
~35x growth
Bandwidth needs are growing 50% per year in schools using digital learning
For more information on this data, contact

5. High-speed Internet in the classroom provides an important foundation to prepare our kids to compete for the jobs of the future. We are committed to making sure our kids have the tools to succeed and look forward to continuing our efforts to expand high-speed Internet to classrooms across the Commonwealth.
Governor Charlie Baker … .……
We accelerate broadband upgrades in America’s K-12 schools with data-driven programs and tools. In partnership with governors and state agencies, we work directly with school districts to get fiber to schools that need it, to ensure classrooms have robust Wi-Fi, and to make broadband more affordable.

6. Massachusetts Digital Connections Initiative
Provides tools, assistance, and funding to bridge the digital divide that exists in some schools across the Commonwealth and strengthen 21st century teaching and learning.
Three elements of the Initiative that we’ll cover today…
Digital Connections Partnership Schools Grant & Loan Program
School Technology Readiness Survey
EducationSuperHighway Programs
Supports Internet access and wide area network upgrades (i.e., Category 1)
May be used for Category 1 and/or Category 2 upgrades
Focused on school internal networks (i.e., Category 2)

7. Is your network ready for digital learning?
Digital Connections Initiative action steps for school district technology leaders
I’m confident my district’s network is digital-learning ready.
I’m unsure if my district is digital-learning ready and would like a check-up.
I know my district needs an upgrade and we need funding to do it.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Complete the School Technology Readiness Survey*
Sign up for an EducationSuperHighway Consult*
Apply for the program by October 7, 2016
* Required if seeking a waiver of the computer-based testing requirement

8. School Technology Readiness Survey
Complete the survey for every school in your district
Helps us understand the obstacles to digital learning
Helps MassIT estimate project costs
Helps ESE make the case for funding in future years
Required if seeking a waiver of computer-based testing
Focused on internal, Wi-Fi networks (i.e., “Category 2”)

10. EducationSuperHighway mission
Upgrade the Internet access in every public school classroom in America so that all students can take advantage of the promise of digital learning.

11. need broadband upgrades
In Massachusetts…
84 school districts
(out of 295 districts)
need broadband upgrades

12. Pricing is highly variable
Monthly Cost Mbps Lit Fiber Internet Circuits
less than $700
$700 – less than $1400
$1400 – less than $2100
$2100 – $2800
more than $2800

13. We help accelerate your broadband upgrades.

14. We work with you at no cost
Connect all your schools to fiber
Find cost-effective broadband options
Implement robust Wi-Fi in every classroom
ESH
Broadband Program
DCPS Grant & Loan Programs
Our district consulting team works with you to understand your district's technology goals and find a broadband solution that ensures students get the connectivity needed to meet those goals.
All of our tools and services are free of charge.

15. Why should schools upgrade, and why now?
E-rate funding and rule changes have created an
UNPRECEDENTED, SHORT TERM OPPORTUNITY
to connect schools to fiber and offer more upgrade options

16. Fiber and Bandwidth Upgrade Program
Hold a kickoff call to understand your current network infrastructure and future needs
Research technology and provider options by engaging directly with the provider community
Help you develop your 470/RFP strategy and build a business case
Support you in selecting a vendor and procuring a solution after bids are received
Provide technical and implementation support as needed after the 471 is submitted

17. Broadband Program Case Study:
Cobre Consolidated Schools, NM

18. Digital Learning Technology Use
MODERATE
Technology use is variable and typically driven by individual teachers; devices are primarily in labs and on carts.
30% concurrent users
Digital Learning Technology Use
With 80 students, San Lorenzo Elementary will need 120 Mbps by 2018 to meet digital learning goals
FULL USE (1:1)
Technology is widely available; most students interact with a computing device most school days.
Moving services to the cloud
50% concurrent users
Bandwidth Needs (WAN) – Currently on six T-1’s totaling to 9 Mbps
*The 1500 kbps/Student estimate has been modified from the 2018 SETDA goal of 1 Gbps/school. After conducting analysis, ESH determined 1500 as the more appropriate bandwidth needed per student.
MEDIA RICH
Every student has a technology-enabled learning experience during the school day.
Cloud-based services
80% concurrent users
1,050 kbps/Student
1,500
kbps/Student*
1,995 kbps/Student

19. Southwestern Wireless SCSConnect Affiniti CellularOne
Service Type
Provider Option
Lit Fiber
Windstream
Verizon
CenturyLink
Brainstorm
Frontier
Leased Dark Fiber
Conterra
Zayo
WANRack
Wireless
Southwestern Wireless
SCSConnect
Affiniti
CellularOne
Fiber Construction
Network Cabling Company
SandiaLightwave
Most Preferred
Least Preferred

21. Total Cost per Provider
Provider A
Provider B
Service Type
Lit Fiber
Self-Provisioned
Bandwidth
100 Mbps
1 Gbps
1 Gbps+
Contract Length
3 Years
3 Years (on Maint.)
NRC -
$3,750
$3,918,007
MRC/Maintenance
$3,558
$9,982
$30,000
Total Cost per Provider

22. “We are so grateful for all your help with the RFP
“We are so grateful for all your help with the RFP. Getting fiber to our district is a bigger project than we have ever taken on, but you made it seem easy.”

23. High-level project plan
Project Start
Summer- Early Fall
Identify & Outreach
Research & Prepare Plan
Buy-In, Funding & Vendor Selection
Implementation
E-rate Deadline
Feb - Mar
RFP Filing Window
Early-Mid Fall
Schools not on fiber
Buy-In, Vendor Selection
Schools on fiber

24. Our Massachusetts consulting team
Aarti Bhatnagar
Project Lead
Jason Warchol
Network Consultant
Hayley Beers
District Consultant
Ellen Goldich
District Consultant

25. Sign up here: https://calendly.com/massachusetts
Getting started
Claim your spot in the Massachusetts school broadband project
Find out if your district is on our upgrade list
See how your district connectivity stacks up
Share your current network architecture and future plans
Sign up here:

27. Digital Connections Partnership Schools Grant & Loan Program
Grants
$2 million in state bond funds cover non-discounted project costs under the federal E-rate program (state match)
State will cover non-discounted project costs until the funds run out
Loans
$10 million in interest-free loans to cover discounted costs (local match)
Up to $2.5 million per district
All districts eligible for loans
Districts may apply for a loan only
Local Match
May come from other public or private sources
Provided to MassIT before project starts

28. How the Grant and Loan Program Works
Cost of an Example Project
$100K
30K
Eligible for state grant funding
70K
Eligible for E-rate reimbursement
Eligible for loan
Provides financial, technical, and administrative support for school districts to improve their technology infrastructure in support of digital learning.
Districts share information about how they intend to use technology in the classroom and their current infrastructure.
MassIT assesses the cost of improving each school’s infrastructure and determines the percentage of the project eligible for E-Rate reimbursements.
District takes a no-interest loan to pay for this part of the project
MassIT manages the E-Rate paperwork
District uses the reimbursement to pay off the loan
State grant pays for the rest

29. DCPS Grant and Loan Program Timeline
The School Technology Readiness Survey helps ESE understand the obstacles to digital learning
This survey is a prerequisite to the application, but we’d like all districts to participate.
Surveys for all schools in the district due by October 7.
COMPLETE SURVEY
Applications scored based on alignment to priorities of the grant
Applications prioritized based on region, students served, Ch. 70 contribution, and other factors
Applications and surveys due by October 7.
APPLY
Finalists and award amounts announced at the end of October.
Finalists can apply for no- interest loans to cover project expenses eligible for E-Rate funding.
Districts sign an MOU with MassIT, who will act as fiscal agent for this process.
FINALIZE FUNDING
In November and December, finalists host walkthroughs for vendors included in ITC47 and ITT50.
When vendors are selected, districts sign MOUs with them and MassIT.
MassIT assists as needed and writes a Statement of Work.
WORK WITH VENDORS
Finalists pursuing a no- interest loan from will seek municipal approval as required.
Semifinalists (districts that do not receive state grant funding) can apply for a loan to cover 100% of the project.
Loans must be paid back in 5 years.
ACCEPT LOAN FROM MSBA
MassIT cuts purchase requests for vendors.
Winners collaborate with vendor to get the work completed by June 30.
MassIT files E- Rate paperwork on behalf of participating districts.
DO THE PROJECT

30. Massachusetts Digital Connections Initiative
Provides tools, assistance, and funding to bridge the digital divide that exists in some schools across the Commonwealth and strengthen 21st century teaching and learning.
Three elements of the Initiative that we’ll cover today…
Digital Connections Partnership Schools Grant & Loan Program
School Technology Readiness Survey
EducationSuperHighway Programs
Supports Internet access and wide area network upgrades (i.e., Category 1)
May be used for Category 1 and/or Category 2 upgrades
Focused on school internal networks (i.e., Category 2)

31. Q & A

32. Ancillary Content

33. Category 2 Funding Estimator

34. Bandwidth Calculator

35. Compare & Connect K-12 Tool