Key factors:
Solely 27 % of states have plans to maintain Okay-12 digital entry as key federal packages expire, in line with a brand new report from SETDA, the principal affiliation representing state and territorial academic expertise and digital studying leaders.
The brand new report, Common Connectivity Crucial: Sustaining Progress to Shut the Digital Entry Divide in Okay-12 Training, comes at a vital time, as a number of federal packages that bolstered pupil connectivity throughout and after the pandemic–together with the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), Inexpensive Connectivity Program (ACP), and Elementary and Secondary Faculty 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 pupil is ready for post-secondary success,” mentioned Julia Fallon, government director at SETDA. “Almost each profession pathway in the present day calls for tech literacy and digital citizenship expertise–not simply the roles of tomorrow. This report offers evidence-based methods and actionable coverage suggestions to assist training leaders and state and federal policymakers shut the digital divide and construct sustainable methods that guarantee all college students thrive past Okay-12 training.”
The report, knowledgeable by federal, state, and native authorities leaders, researchers, nonprofit organizations, trade representatives, and Okay-12 college students and lecturers, builds upon SETDA’s earlier analysis, together with the Broadband Crucial sequence and up to date State Edtech Traits studies.
Key findings embrace:
- Funding sustainability is a significant problem: Solely 27 % of states have plans to maintain funding for expertise initiatives beforehand supported by federal reduction packages, regardless of 92 % of college districts having used ESSER funds for academic expertise.
- Digital expertise hole persists: Whereas 72 % of scholars obtain digital expertise improvement help, simply 24 % of households obtain related help–creating boundaries to reinforcing these vital expertise at dwelling.
- Cybersecurity stays high precedence: With Okay-12 faculties going through rising cyber threats and prices starting from $50,000 to $1 million per incident, state leaders persistently rank cybersecurity as their high expertise concern.
- Affordability boundaries proceed: Almost three million households threat dropping web service with the ACP’s sundown, whereas 8.3 million might must downgrade to slower plans–straight impacting Okay-12 college students’ capability to study.
“States have made exceptional progress in connecting college students to studying alternatives, however we’re at a vital juncture,” mentioned Doug Casey, government director of the Connecticut Fee for Instructional Expertise and SETDA board member. “This report offers a transparent roadmap for sustaining momentum via coverage options that tackle not simply entry, however the full spectrum of digital inclusion.”
The report offers particular coverage suggestions to shut the digital divide in training. It requires dependable web entry for all Okay-12 college students that meets up to date FCC broadband benchmarks and emphasizes the necessity for particular person, commonly up to date internet-enabled units.
The report additionally highlights the significance of growing digital expertise aligned with community-developed studying requirements, guaranteeing strong pupil 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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