Fallin Launches Digital Classroom Initiative

Governor Fallin has launched an effort to increase the high-speed broadband Internet and digital learning opportunities in Oklahoma Schools. It is called the Oklahoma Connect and Learn Initiative and is a voluntary effort with schools.

“I am proud to establish the Oklahoma Connect and Learn Initiative,” said Fallin. “The initiative is a voluntary program that works with schools to use existing funding efficiently and effectively to maximize opportunities to provide high-speed broadband and Wi-Fi access to students across Oklahoma.”

The state will partner with interested schools and telecommunications service providers to increase the number of schools with fiber optic connections, improve the capacity and affordability of those connections and ensure classrooms have Wi-Fi access to facilitate digital learning.

“This technology also creates digital learning opportunities so that every student may have a personalized learning plan that may include upper level math and science classes and concurrent enrollment courses,” Fallin added.

The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and EducationSuperHighway are providing technical assistance to the state as part of the initiative.

“At EducationSuperHighway, we have one mission: get more students online at speeds that can support digital learning,” said Evan Marwell, founder and CEO of EducationSuperHighway. “In our modern educational environment that is imperative to ensuring students can truly access the tools and resources they need to learn and grow. No student should ever miss out on an educational opportunity because of where they go to school. That’s not fair to them, and it’s not how we will build the strong and vibrant economy we need in the years ahead.”

Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister said the Department of Education will play a critical role as part of the Oklahoma Connect and Learn Initiative.

“Now is the time to invest in our children’s future by providing them with the tools they need to succeed in a 21st-century education,” said Hofmeister. “It is our shared goal that all Oklahoma schoolchildren become actively engaged in a connected, digital world while preparing for college and career. This initiative is an important step forward in reaching that goal.”


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