Make nine 'big plays' across three focus areas — sustaining access infrastructure, upskilling the educator workforce, and upskilling students, families, and caregivers — in state digital equity and BEAD plans¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

Digital Promise recommends that state and local teams planning IIJA broadband investments adopt nine 'big plays' spread across three essential focus areas: building and sustaining systems and infrastructure for constant, reliable access; upskilling the K-12 teacher and leader workforce; and upskilling students, parents, families, and caregivers. The report states, "we recommend they include nine 'big plays' spread across three essential areas to close the digital divides and sustain progress after national grant funds are gone." Each play is described with rationale for inclusion in digital equity and BEAD plans.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• State and local planning teams with authority over IIJA digital equity and BEAD plan priorities and strategies

Constraints¶

• Federal IIJA grant funds are temporary, so the plays are designed to sustain progress after national grant funds are gone

Target Learners¶

• K-12 students in underrepresented communities
• K-12 teachers and leaders
• parents, families, and caregivers

Target Learning Goals¶

• digital skills and digital use competencies for full participation in society and the economy
• equitable access to connectivity and devices for learning

Related Strategies¶

• Sustain broadband and device access beyond grant funds by inserting permanent upgrade clauses in ISP contracts and adopting 'device as service' procurement models at state scale
• Implement a systems change approach addressing five factors simultaneously for AI and digital equity
• Pair technology access with targeted investments in infrastructure, staffing, and support, and pilot initiatives with dedicated budgets
• Pair digital-infrastructure funding with blended-learning support and AI literacy training for students

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Weaver, D'Andre J., Ph.D. (2022). Delivering on the Promise of Digital Equity. Digital Promise. https://digitalpromise.dspacedirect.org/items/38939984-18ea-4af0-8081-c787ac30d48d. doi:10.51388/20.500.12265/166