Key factors:
Solely 27 % of states have plans to maintain Okay-12 digital entry as key federal packages expire, in accordance with a brand new report from SETDA, the principal affiliation representing state and territorial academic know-how and digital studying leaders.
The brand new report, Common Connectivity Crucial: Sustaining Progress to Shut the Digital Entry Divide in Okay-12 Schooling, comes at a crucial time, as a number of federal packages that bolstered pupil connectivity throughout and after the pandemic–together with the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), Reasonably priced Connectivity Program (ACP), and Elementary and Secondary College Emergency Reduction (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. “Practically each profession pathway right this moment 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 schooling leaders and state and federal policymakers shut the digital divide and construct sustainable methods that guarantee all college students thrive past Okay-12 schooling.”
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 collection and up to date State Edtech Developments studies.
Key findings embrace:
- Funding sustainability is a significant problem: Solely 27 % of states have plans to maintain funding for know-how initiatives beforehand supported by federal aid packages, regardless of 92 % of college districts having used ESSER funds for academic know-how.
- Digital expertise hole persists: Whereas 72 % of scholars obtain digital expertise growth assist, simply 24 % of households obtain comparable help–creating limitations to reinforcing these crucial expertise at residence.
- Cybersecurity stays prime precedence: With Okay-12 faculties dealing with rising cyber threats and prices starting from $50,000 to $1 million per incident, state leaders persistently 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 might have to downgrade to slower plans–instantly impacting Okay-12 college students’ capacity to study.
“States have made outstanding progress in connecting college students to studying alternatives, however we’re at a crucial juncture,” mentioned Doug Casey, government director of the Connecticut Fee for Academic Expertise and SETDA board member. “This report supplies a transparent roadmap for sustaining momentum via 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 schooling. 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, often up to date internet-enabled units.
The report additionally highlights the significance of creating digital expertise aligned with community-developed studying requirements, making certain sturdy pupil privateness and knowledge safety, and creating inclusive, accessible digital instruments and platforms to assist all studying alternatives.
This press launch initially appeared on-line.
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