Universal Wi-Fi Access

Overview

At the start of the pandemic, 39% of families in Ector County Independent School District had no internet access or cell phone internet access. While ensuring adequate home connectivity was a four-year goal, the district needed to move quickly to accelerate progress.

“We had hoped to have Internet in every family's home within four years. That was a part of our strategic plan. But because of the pandemic, we now have Internet and [almost] every family connected today.” - Scott Muri, Superintendent, Ector County ISD

Approach

To provide universal access, the district pursued both short-term and long-term solutions. Families were given MiFi devices and connected with local cable services, but a considerable portion of the rural population in the district had no good options for connectivity. ECISD pursued an innovative partnership with SpaceX to bring satellite Wi-Fi access to those who needed it.

“The challenge was our families that live in a more remote environment. And so all the money in the world wasn't going to bring the Internet to a family when you don't have anything. And so that's where SpaceX came in.” - Scott Muri

In the longer term, ECISD has assembled a local “Connector Task Force”— made up of 26 local business and social sector leaders — to develop a county-wide plan. ECISD leadership is also engaged with a state-level task force to connect its own efforts to state-wide initiatives.

This strategy is a part of TLA's Hop, Skip, Leapfrog release, which explores the concrete ways in which schools and systems pursued student-centered innovation during COVID-19. Explore the full guide to find additional strategies, insights, and resources.