Advocates warn 'homework gap' likely to persist after pandemic

The digital divide in education that was exposed by remote learning during the pandemic is likely to persist even when students return to classrooms, advocates warn. While efforts are underway to provide students with adequate internet access, advocates say the problem is unlikely to go away in the fall because remote learning will not completely go away when in-person classes resume. Advocates say that closing the digital divide requires building out infrastructure. Amina Fazlullah, director of equity policy at Common Sense Media, said infrastructure spending is needed to help bridge the digital gaps around the country. “If we don't make investments in infrastructure now, any digital divide solution will be that much more,” Fazlullah said. “It will be less ideal and will be that much more expensive.”