Nederland Independent School District Increases Student Achievement in Reading, Math, and Science Using Trillion’s High-Speed Wireless WAN
Trillion network helped build district capacity for curriculum, testing, and administration applications to improve student learning
AUSTIN, Texas (Feb. 4, 2009) – Since teaming up with Trillion Partners to install and maintain a high-speed broadband network, Nederland Independent School District in Nederland, Texas, has been able to provide a technology-rich learning environment and raise student test scores over the past four years. The network has given the district the means to implement a wide-range of educational programs aligned with the district’s goal of enabling all students to thrive in an information-driven global society. Trillion Partners Inc. is one of the nation’s largest provide
rs of Priority 1 E-Rate eligible wide area network (WAN) and Voice over IP (VoIP) services for K-12 school districts.
Through a coordinated district-wide plan to integrate technology in the classroom, Nederland ISD has increased student achievement in reading, math and science. Beginning with the 2003-04 school year, the district embarked on an effort to create a 21st century learning environment in which teachers can use technology to improve instructional strategies, and students can access, analyze, evaluate, and communicate information effectively. The plan included a more reliable, high-bandwidth network; professional development; and new education technologies such as Web-based instructional applications, document cameras, interactive whiteboards, video streaming, and digital portfolios to compile and track student work.
After the network was installed, the district followed the same group of students over four school years from 2004 to 2008. Student test scores increased 10 percent on the reading portion of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), by 23 percent on the math section, and 10 percent on the science portion. The district has been recognized by the Texas Education Agency for education excellence as a result of these improvements.
“A reliable, high-speed network coupled with the support of all school stakeholders has been critical to our students’ success,” said Cindy Laird, director of instructional technology for Nederland ISD. “Our superintendent, school board and teachers have embraced technology use in the classroom, and students are thrilled to have a fast network that enables interactive, collaborative learning opportunities. The technology is helping our teachers and students grow and learn together.”
Laird continued: “Students live a digital life outside of school, so our teachers must have the knowledge, skills and resources to provide a technology-rich environment in school that truly engages students in learning and prepares them for the future.”
“Nederland's network is a lot more reliable with Trillion's Wireless WAN, which allowed my teachers to use high-bandwidth applications to enhance my learning experience,” explained Adam Busby, a Nederland High School alumnus. “Without a stable network infrastructure, I would not have had as many technology-related courses available to me. I graduated from Nederland ISD in 2008 with my A+ Certification and am now working towards a degree in technology.”
Upgrading the network was a top priority, since the district’s previous provider decided to discontinue broadband service to the district. After securing USAC E-Rate funds in 2003, Nederland ISD partnered with Trillion to build a high-speed wireless WAN connecting nine district sites across 25 square miles, serving more than 5,000 students and staff. The network comprises approximately 2,000 computers, including 24 Internet-connected labs and a mobile lab consisting of 32 laptops.
Trillion provides round-the-clock network monitoring and management, 365 days a year, to deliver reliability and performance. “While 21st century teaching and learning tools make a significant difference in the classroom, a technology-equipped classroom is nothing if it doesn't have the network to support and sustain it,” Laird said. “Trillion provides my district with a network that supports technological demands that enable us to meet our district, state and national educational goals.”
“From the get go, I’ve considered Trillion a partner,” Laird said. “Trillion employees are always there to offer valuable suggestions and to lend a hand with whatever I’m doing. After Hurricane Rita came through our area, Trillion hosted a Web page for us so the district could maintain communication with teachers and staff.” The district’s wireless WAN was critical to ensuring connectivity and keeping the district operational when Hurricanes Rita and Ike blew through. Nederland is located about 20 miles southeast from Beaumont near the Louisiana border. When power was restored to the city after Rita, the district's network was the first one in the surrounding area up and running, because it did not depend on fiber cables from local utility poles.
To accommodate its growing needs, the district plans another upgrade to its network with Trillion. Future implementations include a video surveillance security system, a Web-based school-to-home communication system, and two-way interactive video technologies.
For more information about Trillion, got to www.trillion.net.
About Trillion Partners
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Trillion Partners Inc. is one of the leading providers of Priority 1, E-Rate-oriented broadband WAN and VoIP services for the education market. Trillion’s WAN services include network design, installation and management using state-of-the-art licensed wireless and fiber technologies to ensure 24/7 availability and performance. Trillion's VoIP services, based on the ShoreTel platform, enable districts to take advantage of the advanced features of VoIP without the responsibility of day-to-day management. Trillion enables 21st century learning by providing districts with the core communications infrastructure required to deliver education technology applications key to student success in the classroom. Serving more than 1,000 schools across the United States, Trillion is one of the largest national service providers of VoIP and broadband WAN services of K-20 education. For more information, visit www.trillion.net or phone (512) 334-4100.
For more information about the USAC ERate program (SLD) visit http://www.usac.org/sl/.
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Media Contacts:
- Renaye Thornborrow, Trillion Partners, renaye.thornborrow@trillion.net, 512-334-4076
- Kristen Plemon, C. Blohm & Associates, Inc., kristen@cblohm.com, 608-839-9805
