In November, New York voters will be asked to approve a $2 billion bond act to fund technology upgrades in schools across the state. The "Smart Schools" initiative option was first proposed during Governor Andrew Cuomo's 2014 State of the State address.
If the bond act is approved, Albany will get advice on how to invest the money from a panel of technology and education experts.
The Smart Schools Commission held a symposium for local stakeholders in Buffalo Wednesday where Lt. Governor Robert Duffy offered opening remarks. Afterwards he spoke to reporters about how the initiative, if passed, would start a surge of investment across the state.
"The governor wants to level the playing field. He wants to create the same opportunities for kids, especially in districts that are economically challenged, that their counterparts may have," Duffy said.
Tiffany Zhou of the EducationSuperHighway told the panel 98 percent of schools will need to upgrade their slow internet connections to fiber-optic by 2018.
"We're really thrilled to see the incredible momentum behind Smart Schools. Because this funding will give New York a unique and unprecedented opportunity to invest in a broadband program that can close the connectivity gap, for once and for all, in every school statewide," Zhou said.
She says the mission of the nonprofit EducationSuperHighway's is improving internet infrastructure in every school in America because "technology is the most scalable path to an equal educational opportunity."