Arizona builds statewide ASP with Cox Education

Internet Strategies for Education Markets: The Heller Report, Sept, 2001

Cox Education Net-work is leading a $27.9 million project to supply a comprehensive ASP service to Arizona schools. The contract was awarded by The Arizona School Facilities Board. Cox Business Services will work with KPMG Consulting, Learning Station and Ensynch to form the Cox Education Network. Ensynch is an Arizona-based technology company. The other companies are likely to establish offices in Arizona for the project.

In addition to curriculum materials and administrative tools, the system will provide 20 Cisco Academies, 30 Microsoft Authorized Academic Training Programs, ASSET professional teacher training, an Intel Model School Program, smart cards and smart card readers, and a variety of education and awareness seminars. The ASP will host school and teacher websites, provide e-mail services for staff and students, and can provide SAIS-compliant student information management systems, student assessment tracking systems, and teacher resource management systems

The ASP comes with service and warranty until June 30, 2005 when the obligation for an ASP will "sunset" from the School Facilities Board's guidelines. Network providers will hold prices firm for districts for an additional two years. The cost of the project over four years averages $8.16 per student, per year. The first implementation will be installed by the end of September, 2001.

Other participants include Apple Computers (hardware at greater educational discounts), ASSET (training and professional development), Beyond Books (educational content), Cisco Systems (35 Cisco Network Academies), Citrix (application software), Compaq Computer (hardware), EdGate (educational content, online Internet channels, smart card for teachers), Edmin.com (teacher resource management), Education-Online (educational content), Intel (professional development, student hardware discount programs), Kids123 (teacher resource management), Microsoft (software licenses, 30 MicrosoftAuthorized Training Programs), MIG (student and teacher information management systems), NCS Pearson (student and teacher information management systems), NetSchools (curriculum management, student assessment and information systems), PowerSchool (student assessment and information systems), Princeton Review (student and teacher information management systems), SchoolNet (student assessment, information, and teacher resource systems), and VIP Tone (K-12 Internet portal).