New Case Studies from CoSN Spotlight Innive’s Work to Support Digital Equity in School Districts

In today’s educational landscape, the digital divide remains a critical challenge that affects student success and community progress. Innive K12 360° partnered with the Consortium of School Networking (CoSN) to take a significant step forward by developing the Digital Equity Dashboard, designed to address this pressing issue and provide a clearer understanding of digital access disparities across communities. Two recent case studies highlight how districts are leveraging this tool to promote equitable access to technology and connectivity: Altoona School District in Wisconsin and Desert Sands Unified School District in California.

Introducing the Digital Equity Dashboard

Developed by Innive in partnership with CoSN, the Digital Equity Dashboard is a comprehensive tool that amalgamates various national datasets to present a more cohesive view of digital equity in communities. It builds on the insights from CoSN’s previous Home Connectivity Study, offering district leaders, policymakers, and educators actionable data to evaluate digital access gaps and formulate strategic interventions.

The dashboard is particularly valuable for addressing key questions, such as:

• Where can our community services make the biggest impact?
• Do our students and their families have equitable internet access?
• How does our district compare to similar communities within the state?
• In what ways can I leverage equity data at the local, regional, state and national level(s) to impact opportunities?  

The case studies from Altoona and Desert Sands illustrate the practical application of the Digital Equity Dashboard in solving unique connectivity challenges faced by each district.

Case Study 1: Bridging the Digital Divide in Altoona, Wisconsin

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed stark disparities in internet access, emphasizing the necessity of digital equity for education, employment, healthcare, and civic participation. In Altoona, a district characterized by diverse demographics and varying levels of digital connectivity, the School District of Altoona took a data-driven approach to tackle these challenges.

Using the Digital Equity Dashboard, the district identified communities with limited digital access and tailored strategies to bridge the gap. By fostering collaboration with local government, internet service providers, and community organizations, Altoona developed solutions that extended beyond the school system, benefiting the wider community. This collaborative approach not only improved digital access for students but also enabled adults to connect to essential services, such as telehealth and remote work opportunities.

Read the Case Study from Altoona

Case Study 2: Desert Sands Unified School District’s Commitment to Digital Equity

Desert Sands Unified School District (DSUSD) serves approximately 26,000 students and has long been committed to enhancing digital equity. The district implemented a 1:1 Chromebook program for TK-12 students as part of its Connect: One to World Device Initiative. However, DSUSD’s efforts didn’t stop at providing devices. Recognizing that access to hardware is only part of the equation, they also developed a private LTE network to ensure reliable internet access for all students.

With the Digital Equity Dashboard, DSUSD could continuously monitor the effectiveness of these initiatives and pinpoint areas needing improvement. The dashboard's data-driven insights helped the district maintain a holistic view of digital access and ensured that resources were allocated effectively to support students’ learning experiences.

Read the Case Study from Desert Sands

How the Digital Equity Dashboard Empowers Districts

These case studies demonstrate the transformative potential of data when applied to real-world educational challenges. The Digital Equity Dashboard provides districts with a tool to not only visualize connectivity gaps but also develop and monitor targeted solutions.

For districts looking to better understand and address digital equity, the free public version of the Digital Equity Dashboard offers a starting point. However, schools can enhance their understanding further by integrating non-sensitive student performance data, creating a complete picture of how digital access correlates with educational outcomes.

Explore your school district’s data on the free version of the Digital Equity Dashboard. For a more tailored experience, consider enhancing the tool with your district’s data to gain deeper insights and create actionable strategies for achieving digital equity. Contact us for more information.