Internet for all the next step for equity, education

The 2015-16 school year is off and running with a number of local schools joining a national trend of schools providing an electronic device for every child, referred to as 1:1.

The majority of the districts have elected for digital curriculum instead of the traditional printed textbooks of years past. In many cases, students are allowed to bring these devices home.

Now schools have to ask: How do we ensure students have access to high-speed Internet when they leave school? How will students do homework without Internet access at home?

In 2014, the Obama administration set a goal to ensure all students have access to high-speed Internet at school. Yet the administration made rule changes to the federal E-Rate program, eliminating funding for mobile broadband for schools and students.

Equal access to digital curriculum and high-speed Internet is essential for all kids to have the same opportunities. Nationally, less than 50 percent of low-income and rural households have access to high-speed Internet.

Learning should not be turned off once students leave school.

The administration’s rule changes will, unfortunately, widen the digital digital divide for poor and rural students. We need to push at the local, state and federal levels for 24/7 Internet connectivity for all students.

This will help to close the digital divide and equity issues we face today.

This story was originally published September 19, 2015 at 2:55 PM with the headline "Internet for all the next step for equity, education."