New report emphasizes why technology is a critical tool in all Utah public and charter schools
SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Connected Nation (CN) has partnered with Utah Education Network (UEN) to release the fifth iteration of the Utah School Technology Inventory, a statewide report that compiles critical data about technology usage and gaps in UEN schools. The national nonprofit has collaborated with UEN for nearly a decade to track how technology is used in Utah’s school districts and charter schools, and the access teachers and students have to digital materials, devices and platforms. The inventory once again had a 100% participation rate.
“Starting in 2015 through 2023, UEN’s partnership with Connected Nation has conducted these inventories in the fall every other year,” said UEN Senior Project Manager Cory Stokes. “Completing these inventories helps leaders at the state, district and school levels make better decisions based on data to improve, enhance and support technology in education.”
UEN chose the nonprofit to develop the data collection portal and lead the inventory effort. They collected more than 82,600 data points, representing 1,034 schools across Utah. The final report provides a comprehensive summary of the Utah school system and an overview page for every school district and charter school in the state.
“School districts use these reports to determine how they are currently using technology funds to support their students and teachers,” said Stokes. “The data provides and accounts for how technology is supporting and helping to meet the needs of students and teachers in public education.”
The inventory found that, statewide, 7 out of 10 schools (70%) report that they deploy mobile learning devices such as laptop or tablet computers to students on a 1:1 basis.
Other key findings include:
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Device-to-student ratio increased since 2015 but remain the same between the 2021 and 2023.
Google Chromebooks remain the most popular computing device for students, with schools reporting that more than 594,000 Chromebooks are made available to students statewide.
Nearly 2 out of 5 Utah schools (38%) offer mobile learning devices on a 1:1 basis and allow students to take those devices home, maintaining a similar rate from 2021 (39%).
“UEN’s focus has always been to provide equitable network services and resources to all students in Utah, regardless of where they live, how they participate in school and how they most effectively learn,” said Stokes. “This was all made possible through the School Technology Inventory report.”
Read the 2023 Utah School Technology Inventory Report.
About the Utah Education Network: UEN is part of the Utah Education and Telehealth Network (UETN), which connects all Utah school districts, schools, and higher education institutions to a robust network and quality educational resources. UEN is one of the nation’s premier education networks.
About Connected Nation: The national nonprofit’s mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand access, adoption and use of high-speed internet and its related technology to all people. They work with consumers, local community leaders, states, technology providers and foundations to develop and implement technology expansion programs with core competencies centered on a mission to improve digital inclusion for people and places previously underserved or overlooked. For more information, please visit connectednation.org.
Cloé Lacasse scores for second straight week, and Royals notch third straight shutout.
Utah Royals forward Cloé Lacasse celebrates her goal against the Seattle Reign FC during an NWSL soccer match on April 26, 2026, in Seattle. Lacasse also scored in the Royals’ win over Angel City FC on Saturday in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The Utah Royals beat Angel City FC 1-0 on Saturday in Los Angeles for their club-record fourth straight win.
The victory put the Royals (4-2-1) in fourth place in the National Women’s Soccer League. Los Angeles (3-3-0) sits in eighth place.
Utah’s Cloé Lacasse scored in the 33rd minute off an assist from Paige Cronin, who took the ball down the right side of the field and crossed over to the Canadian. Lacasse headed it just inside the post to give Utah the 1-0 lead. She scored for the second straight game, having notched a goal in a 3-0 win over the Seattle Reign FC on April 26
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The Royals earned their third straight shutout, as goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn made her first start of the season and had four saves. McGlynn suffered an injury early in the season but replaced Mia Justus late in last week’s win over the Seattle Reign.
Utah Royals FC will return home to host the Houston Dash on Wednesday, May 6 (8 p.m., KMYU and CBSSN), at America First Field in Sandy.
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EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Utah (KUTV) — What started as a small rescue effort six years ago has turned into a thriving animal sanctuary in Eagle Mountain.
Haven Ranch is home to nearly 300 animals. Due to soaring costs and a drop in donations, the facility has been struggling to stay afloat.
ARC Salt Lake spoke to executive director David Curneal about the financial strain forcing the sanctuary to make difficult choices just to keep caring for hundreds of animals.
MORE | ARC Salt Lake:
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What started as a small rescue effort six years ago has turned into a thriving animal sanctuary in Eagle Mountain. Haven Ranch is home to nearly 300 animals. Due to soaring costs and a drop in donations, the facility has been struggling to stay afloat. (KUTV)
Curneal said the sanctuary had 37 animal sponsors this time last year — that number has now dropped to just 12 as both families and businesses cut back on charitable giving.
He said Haven Ranch has depleted retirement savings to continue operating and is no longer accepting new animals because resources are too limited, even during one of the busiest times of year for rescue calls.
The sanctuary is now working to find homes for some animals, including birds, while Curneal said Haven Ranch is far from alone, noting other sanctuaries are also facing mounting financial pressure.
