Greater Internet access needed for low-income students

The following statement by American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten concerns the Digital Learning Equity Act of 2015, which would support pilot programs to find innovative ways to bring broadband and Internet access to high-needs students.

“We are living in a digital age that demands that all children be able to click onto the Internet to do homework and not be left behind because of poverty. When 70 percent of teachers assign homework that requires computer use, yet 50 percent of educators in low-income districts say lack of at-home tech access is holding kids back, we have a problem.

“The Senate and House ‘homework gap’ legislation will help find innovative solutions to make broadband and the Internet more widely accessible to children in high-needs districts.

“We’ve seen the difference at-home technology makes when the homes of kids living in poor, Internet dead zones get wired. Two partners in AFT’s Reconnecting McDowell program — which is helping to revitalize rural, impoverished McDowell County, W.Va. — provided broadband to every county school and Internet access to 10,000 households.

“Students and teachers tell us kids actually enjoy doing homework now. Their work is more complete and they are more prepared for school and their future.”

— Information courtesy of the American Federation of Teachers