Key factors:
Solely 27 % of states have plans to maintain Ok-12 digital entry as key federal applications expire, in line with a brand new report from SETDA, the principal affiliation representing state and territorial instructional know-how and digital studying leaders.
The brand new report, Common Connectivity Crucial: Sustaining Progress to Shut the Digital Entry Divide in Ok-12 Training, comes at a essential time, as a number of federal applications that bolstered scholar connectivity throughout and after the pandemic–together with the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), Inexpensive Connectivity Program (ACP), and Elementary and Secondary College Emergency Aid (ESSER)–have ended, and new state and federal leaders start their policymaking cycles following the 2024 elections.
“Common connectivity is extra than simply web entry–it’s about addressing the digital divide to make sure each scholar is ready for post-secondary success,” stated Julia Fallon, govt director at SETDA. “Practically each profession pathway in the present day calls for tech literacy and digital citizenship expertise–not simply the roles of tomorrow. This report supplies evidence-based methods and actionable coverage suggestions to assist training leaders and state and federal policymakers shut the digital divide and construct sustainable programs that guarantee all college students thrive past Ok-12 training.”
The report, knowledgeable by federal, state, and native authorities leaders, researchers, nonprofit organizations, trade representatives, and Ok-12 college students and lecturers, builds upon SETDA’s earlier analysis, together with the Broadband Crucial collection and up to date State Edtech Developments stories.
Key findings embody:
- Funding sustainability is a serious problem: Solely 27 % of states have plans to maintain funding for know-how initiatives beforehand supported by federal reduction applications, regardless of 92 % of college districts having used ESSER funds for instructional know-how.
- Digital expertise hole persists: Whereas 72 % of scholars obtain digital expertise growth help, simply 24 % of households obtain related help–creating limitations to reinforcing these essential expertise at residence.
- Cybersecurity stays prime precedence: With Ok-12 colleges dealing with growing cyber threats and prices starting from $50,000 to $1 million per incident, state leaders constantly rank cybersecurity as their prime know-how concern.
- Affordability limitations proceed: Practically three million households danger shedding web service with the ACP’s sundown, whereas 8.3 million could have to downgrade to slower plans–instantly impacting Ok-12 college students’ capability to study.
“States have made exceptional progress in connecting college students to studying alternatives, however we’re at a essential juncture,” stated Doug Casey, govt director of the Connecticut Fee for Instructional Expertise and SETDA board member. “This report supplies a transparent roadmap for sustaining momentum by coverage options that tackle not simply entry, however the full spectrum of digital inclusion.”
The report supplies particular coverage suggestions to shut the digital divide in training. It requires dependable web entry for all Ok-12 college students that meets up to date FCC broadband benchmarks and emphasizes the necessity for particular person, repeatedly up to date internet-enabled units.
The report additionally highlights the significance of creating digital expertise aligned with community-developed studying requirements, guaranteeing strong scholar privateness and information safety, and creating inclusive, accessible digital instruments and platforms to help all studying alternatives.
This press launch initially appeared on-line.
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