Goodman-Armstrong Creek School District awarded USDA grant funds as part of the NWECS-ERVING Collaborative Distance Learning Initiative
12/13/2023 – Goodman-Armstrong Creek School District is updating technology with $7,700 from a USDA Rural Development, Rural Utility Services Distance Learning and Telemedicine (RUS-DLT) grant. In total, two Wisconsin distance learning consortiums - Northern Wisconsin Educational Communications System (NWECS) and Embarrass River Valley Instructional Network Group (ERVING) – in partnership with Northwood Technical College have been awarded $999,480 to facilitate their $1.5 million NWECS-ERVING Collaborative Distance Learning Initiative. Goodman-Armstrong Creek School District is taking part as a member of NWECS.
The initiative aims to replace outdated, end-of-life technology that impedes course delivery and to provide support for critical mental health telemedicine services across 30 rural school districts. The implementation of advanced distance learning technologies will enable Northwood Tech and both the NWECS and ERVING consortiums to further extend and enhance educational opportunities within the rural communities they serve.
Replacing the outdated equipment will improve class interaction between sites, as well as help eliminate class downtime due to technical difficulties. These updates and adding additional technology equipment in classrooms also increase the capacity for virtual courses to take place.
“The USDA Rural Development, Rural Utility Services Distance Learning and Telemedicine (RUS-DLT) Grant is an exciting opportunity for our institution to continue to partner with K-12 institutions and CESAs to allow educational opportunities for students to advance career readiness upon graduation. It also provides opportunities for students to receive quality high-school and college education classes in communities that may not have easy access to programming in rural areas of the state. This grant will provide state-of-the-art technology in the classroom where it is needed,“ said Steve Decker, executive director of technology services at Northwood Tech.
Overall, the NWECS-ERVING Collaborative Distance Learning Initiative will equip 38 individual sites throughout Douglas, Ashland, Barron, St. Croix, Bayfield, Dodge, Florence, Marinette, Sawyer, Iron, Forest, Juneau, Taylor, Wood, Price, Waupaca, Shawano, and Portage counties with the latest interactive video distance learning equipment. K-12 students will have better access to high school credit, college credit, and enrichment programming. Adults will access continuing education classes provided by Northwood Tech and Cooperative Educational Service Agencies.
For more information on NWECS distance learning programming, please visit NWECS.net. For more information about Northwood Technical College and its diverse educational programs, please visit NorthwoodTech.edu.