March 2020

Students, Schools Navigate the Inequity of the Digital Divide

From metropolitan areas in the western US to the rural counties of the Northeast, public school districts that have closed their doors must educate students who have unequal access to digital learning means.  Austin Beutner, superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, said his district continues to reach its 700,000-plus students through one of two approaches or a combination of both. The first approach involves the digital learning environment/platform Schoology. This method, while the standard for the district, can’t help certain students.

FCC Commissioner Carr Praises Internet Providers' New Plans for Low-Income, Student Access

Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr praised America’s Internet service providers for creating or expanding over the last week access plans tailored to keeping students and others in low-income households online and connected. On March 23, Verizon announced a new high-speed Internet access program for low-income households, with the first two months of this Fios wireline service effectively free and other fees waived. The company also announced free wired service for all of its Lifeline customers for two months.