NC Strategic Scorecard
7.4.2 Public Technology Access

Target: Less than 100% of US average pupil-computer ratio
Actual: 107% of US average
US Rank 2004: 36th (up from 46th in 2000)
SE Rank 2004: 7th ((tie); up from 8th in 2000)
SE Region: AL FL GA KY MS NC SC TN VA WV   Updated 4/12/06
 
Primary Performance Indicator

Students Per Internet-Connected Computer
 Performance Trend:
Improving
The trend depicts the degree to which actual performance has approached the target in recent years.
Comments
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Since 2000, NC has dramatically increased the availability of internet-connected computers for students, from 11.0 students per internet-connected computer to 4.4, and steadily closed its gap with the national average.

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From 2000 to 2004, NC's competitive ranking in this indicator improved, from 46th in the US to 36th, and from 8th in the SE region to a tie for 7th.

  Definition (What Is Being Measured)
Ratio of students per Internet-connected computer in public schools.
Source: Education Week, Education Counts; Progressive Policy Institute, State New Economy Index; NC School Report Cards.		 Relevance (Why This Is Important)
School technology access is an important component of the public technology infrastructure and key predictor of future internet usage.
 
Other Highlights
North Carolina
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 In 2004, the Center for Digital Government ranked NC 10th in the nation, and 3rd in the SE region (behind Virginia and Tennessee), in the use of digital technologies to streamline operations and serve citizens.
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 In 2004, NC was ranked 36th in the nation in the ratio of instructional computers to students (Source: Education Week).
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 In 2004, NC’s state government website was rated the 31st best in the US (down from 11th in 2001) in terms of such factors as on-line services, credit card acceptance, privacy and security (Source: Brown University).
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 In 2003, NC had the 10th most internet terminals per library in the US and the 4th most in the SE (Source: US Educ. Dept.).
  
Other
Southeast Region
National
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 Virtually all US schools are connected to the Internet with about one computer for every five students (Source: US Education Department, National Education Technology Plan).
• About 15 states provide virtual schooling programs giving students access to on-line individual instruction.
Global
  Data Links
Education Week
US Education Department, National Education Technology Plan
National Telecommunications & Information Administration
  
Public Technology Inc.
National Association of State Chief Information Officials (NASCIO)
Southern Growth Policies Board 2004 report
NC Rural Internet Access Authority
Goal 7.4: Support an Extensive Technology Infrastructure