Did Pandemic Aid Narrow the Digital Divide?

At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, 40% of California's Pre-K–12 households lacked “full digital access,” or reliable access to high-speed internet and a connected device, according to Census Bureau data. As part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) committed about $6.8 billion for schools and libraries to narrow the digital divide. As of the third and final funding window (for purchases made between July 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023), educational entities in California have requested nearly $1.4 billion in ECF funds. Overall, it appears that districts with higher concentrations of students who have historically lacked internet connectivity are applying for ECF assistance in greater numbers. While applicant districts are similar to non-applicant districts on average, when we focus on applicants alone, we see that districts with the highest concentrations of English Learners (ELs) submitted more applications during the first year than did districts with fewer ELs. Similar patterns hold when looking at Black and Latino students and students from low-income households. Without the ECF and other assistance to mitigate the digital divide, like the Affordable Connectivity Program, the six-year learning setback students experienced during the pandemic may have been worse.