Using data to better understand the needs of our community 

This cross-sector collaborative includes K-12, Higher Education, Government and Community-Based Organizations. The collaborative is an official workgroup under the San Joaquin Valley Regional Broadband Consortium sponsored by the Office of Community and Economic Development at Fresno State.

The CA Broadband Adoption Map describes a picture of broadband adoption that leaves many unanswered questions. With this in mind, the team piloted a data collection process designed to understand more about what’s happening on the ground with broadband access/quality, device access and digital literacy. The plan included surveys, phone calls and speed testing to produce a more accurate map for broadband adoption and a more in-depth knowledge of barriers and needs. Over time, the case was adequately built to show that not all residents in Fresno County had adequate internet access and the project has evolved to the development of an internet speed testing app that can be deployed on district provided devices to test internet speeds in the homes of Fresno County students.

Highlights of the collaborative work:

• This effort is an official workgroup under the San Joaquin Valley Regional Broadband Consortium sponsored by the Office of Community and Economic Development at Fresno State

• The CA Emergent Tech Fund (CETF) is and has been a partner in this project

• The team has also been working with the CA Public Utilities Commission/CalSPEED to develop a robust methodology to test internet speeds across the County (the learning from this project will inform the rest of CA)

• Conversations with parents, districts and internet service providers illuminated a variety of gaps, barriers and opportunities

• Fresno State, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, Fresno C2C, United Way Fresno and Madera Counties, The Children’s Movement, community advocates and each of the 32 school districts partnered in this work