Corporations and consumers around the world are discovering the benefits of the information superhighway that connects people to one another and to a vast array of information resources. But what about schools? In this electronic age, few schools in the United States have computers, let alone network connections. Indeed, most do not even possess telephone lines to the classroom.

Policy makers, educators, and private sector leaders are beginning to raise this issue in public debate. But many questions remain. What would it take to connect schools to the superhighway? Would connection be technically feasible over the next five to ten years? How much would it cost? What would be the main challenges?

Connecting America's K-12 public schools to the national information infrastructure would be valuable and is achievable

As part of a report prepared for the National Information Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIIAC), McKinsey has developed a fact base and perspectives to help address these and related questions. The report concludes that connecting America's K-12 (kindergarten through to 12th grade) public schools to the national information infrastructure (NII) would be valuable and is achievable, given effective leadership largely at the community...