THE CABLE PIPELINE

The National Cable Telecommunications Association and Kyle McSlarrow must be commended for their creation, in partnership with both public and private sectors, the Adoption Plus (A+) Program, “a comprehensive pilot program to promote broadband adoption in low-income households with middle school-aged children”. The aforesaid program is the kind of cutting-edge solution to Broadband Adoption that can secure our students entrance into the broadband age as global economic competition continues to stride forward in the 21^st Century.

Key elements of the program include:

• A 2-year public-private partnership to encourage broadband adoption within the Middle School environment in assisting 3.5 million students and 1.8 million households

• Eligible to middle school students in grades 6 through 9 that are participants in the (free or reduced-cost lunch through the national School Lunch Program

• Requires school districts to provide digital media literacy training to eligible students

• Participating schools must qualify students for program entry

• Offers discounted purchase of computers for students through participating manufacturers

• Offers discounted broadband service through all NCTA/ISP provider members (50% off broadband service per month for 2 years, including 50% off modem purchase, and free broadband installation

The Adoption Plus (A+) Program is targeting low income students who have the disadvantage of not having access to a broadband connection and computer for home use. Studies have proven that the use of computer/broadband access to supplement educational resources produces significantly improved results in overall test scores of those students. This clearly represents a serious move forward for the NCTA and Cable Industry in taking ownership of the needs of underprivileged children within our society to build a better educational partnership between the public and private sectors. Their creation and commitment to this program should be commended. For more information visit www.ncta.com.

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Tupelo Public School District - Student/Teacher Laptops

Affordability of service

Affordability of hardware

Insufficient digital and technical literacy levels

Unawareness of personal relevance and utility of broadband technology and online content

Inability to use existing technology and applications due to physical or mental disabilities

According to the PEW Internet and American Life Project the top reason the internet was not adopted by non-users was (no interest in getting online), representing 33% of those surveyed. The second most stated reason indicated a (lack of access to the internet), representing 13% of the group.

The Broadband Stimulus Plan will go a long way in helping both the public and private sectors build out the infrastructure to help accommodate the plan, of at least, giving the access to both metropolitan and rural areas. However, what seems to be just as important on an adoption level is the relevance of education in the literacy of (relevance, utility, digital, and technical skills) in using this technology. This should be the next core strategy of the FCC.

Why not have the FCC, and yes, the private sector like Comcast, Time Warner Cable, AT&T and Verizon get seriously involved in the education of our student population in learning the technology and its advantages for future adoption across a broad spectrum of users? I’m not asking for an FCC mandate to the private sector, but a partnership between both public and private entities to ensure a lasting model of proficiency which will help these sectors in the long-term, while positioning the U.S for a strong competitive edge in the global economy.

 An interesting point to this end is the announcement of our local school district’s (adoption plan) within the classroom. The plan is a partnership with Tupelo Public School District and Apple, see (Apple Laptop Computers for TPSD 6-12 Graders and all Teachers) to provide every student and teacher in grades 6-12 access to an Apple laptop computer at the beginning of the 2010-11 school year. Instead of providing textbooks and photocopies to all students, the District will provide text books loaded on to computers and photocopy PDF’s via e-mail for instruction.  

We all understand the importance of the role education plays in the adoption of any significant initiative rather it be technology, business, economics, math, history, language, writing, reading, i.e..in teaching these fundamental skills to be successful in life, creating a true contributor to society, and not just a drain on societal resources. Sufficed to say, my vote is to adopt a broadband technology literacy program from a public and private association with schools to help fund these initiatives for the future workers in our economic model. The future of the U.S economy depends on it.

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