Teachers, parents support school and home broadband

Both parents and teachers overwhelmingly support technology in education, as well as broadband connection to the home.

The Leading Education by Advancing Digital (LEAD) Commission released a report September 10 that revealed that:

"... the majority of parents and teachers of K-12 students support greater use of technology in education. In addition, the poll found that these audiences increasingly believe that school systems should be doing more to improve access to technology in education."

LEAD, which is supported by the FCC and U.S. Department of Education, also found that a substantial majority of teachers and parents "believe a greater use of technology would be helpful in connecting learning inside and outside of the classroom."

But it's also clear that educators and families want policies which ensure that students have affordable access to the Internet. In fact, "95 percent of teachers and 90 percent of parents believe that home access to high-speed Internet gives students a big or moderate advantage when it comes to classroom performance."

Parents and teachers are also concerned that U.S. policies are lagging behind those of other countries. According to the report, "61 percent of teachers and 63 percent of parents responded that the country is somewhat or far behind the curve when it comes to American public schools' use of technology in education"

Poll Finds Support For Use Of Technology (LEAD Commission, Sep. 10, 2012)

Survey: Parents, Teachers Believe Broadband Boosts Performance (Broadcasting & Cable, Sep. 10, 2012)