SACRAMENTO – The list of the 227 schools who will receive a Broadband Infrastructure Improvement Grant was released yesterday.
Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord) authored legislation last year which led to the inclusion of $26.7 million in the 2014-2015 Budget for the Broadband Infrastructure Improvement Grant. The grant program supports internet connectivity upgrades at California public schools so they are capable of administering the state’s new computer-based assessments aligned with the Common Core State Standards.
“This past year, while most California students successfully took the new computer-based assessments at their school sites, more than 60,000 students were unable to participate due to inadequate or inexistent internet connectivity,” said Assemblywoman Bonilla. “Today is an exciting step forward. We are ensuring that these students not only have the ability to take the online assessment, but that they are able to utilize learning tools that will equip them with the skills necessary for the 21st Century economy.”
This past year, public schools across the state administered the Smarter Balanced Field Test to determine whether their existing infrastructure was able to support the new computer-based assessments. The field test revealed that approximately 300 California schools had insufficient network connectivity. While the $27 million in one-time funding secured in last year’s budget will certainly enable many schools to successfully transition to the online assessments, the funds will not bring all schools up to speed. Assemblywoman Bonilla is committed to sustaining efforts to ensure that every student has access to educational resources integral for their long-term success.
“I want to thank Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla for her advocacy in helping to secure critical funding for this grant,” said State Superintendent Tom Torlakson. “This funding will go a long way in helping students in the far reaches of our state connect to an education network that will give them access to technology.”
For a full list of the grant recipients, please visit: http://www.k12hsn.org/files/biig/awardees.pdf
Note
Contra Costa Schools Include the following:
- Antioch Unified School District – Antioch Charter Academy
- Canyon Elementary School District – Canyon School
- West Contra Costa Unified School District – Richmond Charter Academy
- West Contra Costa Unified School District – Richmond Charter Elementary Benito-Juarez
