Defeating the Digital Divide

Building on the Defeating the Digital Divide series, Kids First Chicago presents new findings from the 2022 American Community Survey (ACS) data, released in December 2023, and makes three key recommendations: 

1. Expand and Establish Chicago Connected as a Permanent Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Program: Chicago Connected should be made a permanent CPS program and expanded to include newly eligible families, ensuring all students continue to have free high-speed internet access.
2. Re-engage Community-Based Organizations in Chicago Connected: Community-based organizations, proven to be effective at connecting CPS’s neediest students, should be re-engaged as partners to support program enrollment.
3. Close the Device Gap for CPS Students: To address the shortage of devices among CPS students, we must redouble partnerships with nonprofit refurbishment companies and increase donations from government and businesses.