Amy Owen is the Senior Director, Digital and Teacher Policy at ExcelinEd.
In today’s digital age, access to broadband internet has become an essential part of daily life. Whether it’s for school, work or entertainment, the internet has permeated every facet of society. However, not everyone has equal access to this vital resource. Federal investments through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) have prioritized increased broadband access and adoption, as required by the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Act and the Digital Equity Act. State broadband offices are in the process of seeking federal approval for their five-year implementation plans in accordance with these Acts.
Louisiana’s ConnectLA broadband office has developed thoughtful implementation plans that emphasize the role of K-12 and career and technical postsecondary education in expanding broadband access and digital equity. The state’s five-year BEAD Plan includes useful examples for education and broadband policymakers in other states. This post analyzes three key components of Louisiana’s BEAD Plan that support students and offers lessons for other states to follow.
Access to broadband internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity, especially for students and their families. Louisiana’s State BEAD Plan recognizes this and includes significant steps to expand access and affordability for students’ families in collaboration with state and local education agencies.
Collaborative Mapping of Connectivity Gaps: One of the primary challenges Louisiana faces is the digital divide between urban and rural areas and between affluent and impoverished communities. Rural students often struggle with limited or no access to broadband, hindering their ability to participate in remote learning and access educational resources. Urban students in low-income areas may also face connectivity challenges due to low-bandwidth, high-cost connections.
Louisiana gathered student-focused data on broadband access from the national nonprofit EducationSuperHighway as well as the state’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). This data will ensure ConnectLA channels broadband expansion grants to unserved and underserved rural communities, particularly those with high populations of students.
Raise Awareness of Affordable Internet and Device Options: Access isn’t the only challenge. Affordability of broadband packages and educational devices is another key aspect of the plan. Louisiana has prioritized awards for broadband expansion grants to internet service providers (ISPs) that commit to offering low, stable monthly prices for consumers for at least five years. These packages, along with subsidies from the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), provide affordable broadband and are a lifeline for families and students who might otherwise be excluded from the digital education landscape.
Access to the internet is just the first step in ensuring equitable education. Digital literacy skills are equally important to help students navigate the digital world effectively, safely and ethically, particularly with the rapid development of generative AI technology. Louisiana’s BEAD Plan recognizes and promotes the importance of digital skills for K-12 students, families and all community members.
K-12 Education: To ensure that students are well prepared to navigate the digital landscape, Louisiana has identified key digital literacy standards for each grade level. The state’s Department of Education has also created a model education technology plan to ensure teachers are prepared to implement these standards and to use technology effectively in the classroom. ConnectLA identified this work as critical to the broadband adoption and digital skills development goals in the state’s BEAD Plan. This approach to interagency coordination ensures that every student receives a solid foundation in digital literacy, regardless of their geographic location.
Bridging the Generation Gap: Digital literacy isn’t just about students; it’s about bridging the generation gap. Many students have grown up in a digital world, while their parents or other caregivers, such as grandparents, may not be as tech-savvy. Louisiana’s BEAD Plan recognizes this gap and seeks to close it by offering a digital literacy assessment and training program. The Northstar program is available at almost two dozen public and private higher education institutions as well as several public libraries. Ensuring that parents and other adults in a student’s life are more comfortable using technology helps them serve as a support system for students. This support extends beyond the classroom, such as increasing access to online educational resources or virtual course options and even the pursuit of technology-related careers.
Another crucial aspect of Louisiana’s broadband plan is workforce development in the telecommunications sector. Based on market research, Louisiana projected a deficit of between 7,000 and 8,000 telecommunications roles in the coming years.
As the broadband infrastructure expands and evolves, there is a growing need for skilled workers to install, maintain and troubleshoot these systems. The creation of jobs in the telecommunication sector not only boosts the state’s economy, but also offers career opportunities to its residents and ensures the sustainability of these initiatives. This, in turn, benefits students by providing them with cutting-edge technology and resources for their education.
K-12 and Technical and Community Colleges: Even as the broadband plan generates new employment opportunities within the state, students must be prepared to take advantage of them. Career preparation can begin in K-12 education by placing a greater emphasis on digital skills and offering students the opportunity to earn competency-based badges or certifications in these skills. ConnectLA has also partnered with the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) to conduct an inventory of programs related to telecommunications. They found 14 programs related to broadband installation and are working with LCTCS to expand these and new, related programs to 55 of the state’s 64 parishes in the next year. The state is also building in regular plans to monitor these programs both for student enrollment and completion as well as continued alignment to industry demands.
Innovations with Additional Populations: Another sector of the population that often requires job training or re-skilling—but often does not have access to it—are individuals in the corrections system. To tap the potential of this population, and also to support quality employment that helps prevent recidivism, Louisiana developed a new fiber optic training program for the Caddo Correction Center through the state Department of Corrections. Inmates can earn credentials as a Certified Premises Cabling Technician or a Certified Fiber Optic Technician and then fill a workforce gap when they re-enter society. These industry-based certifications are awarded by the Fiber Optic Association.
Louisiana’s BEAD Plan is a comprehensive, statewide strategy that not only addresses the issue of access and affordability, but also recognizes the importance of digital literacy and telecommunication workforce development. By implementing this plan, the state will make a significant impact on the education of students and their families, ensuring that educational and economic opportunities are available to all citizens.
Policymakers in other states can act to ensure similar benefits for their communities by:
Louisiana’s State Broadband Plan, under the BEAD Act, serves as an inspiring model for the nation, particularly in its efforts to support students and help bridge the digital divide. By addressing access, affordability, digital literacy and workforce development, the Bayou State is paving the way for a brighter future for its residents.
Policymakers across the nation can take important lessons from Louisiana’s example and make a difference in their own communities. For example, access to broadband internet is a fundamental necessity for education and economic opportunities, and Louisiana’s approach to collaborative mapping and affordable internet options can serve as a blueprint for other states. Moreover, the emphasis on digital literacy standards and curricula, as well as bridging the generation gap, ensures that all citizens are well-equipped to thrive in the digital world.
Louisiana’s focus on telecommunications workforce development is a strategic investment in the state’s future, creating career pathways for students and meeting the growing demand for skilled workers in the telecommunications sector.
Policymakers in other states can follow suit by actively engaging with their state BEAD and Digital Equity Act plans, seeking public input, fostering collaboration among stakeholders and closely monitoring plan implementation. In doing so, they can adapt aspects of Louisiana’s robust plan to their own contexts and provide equitable educational and economic opportunities for their citizens.
