Here is America’s challenge: the impact of the digital divide is crushing hope of closing the achievement and opportunity gaps in marginalized communities across the nation. Technology is here to stay and is increasingly being used in the classroom.
The importance of students having access to high-speed broadband service has never been greater. Marginalized communities, including people of color are more likely to lack access to high-speed internet and COVID-19 continues to exacerbate this historical disparity.
Currently, there are two more strikes against black and brown students. The first is they are more likely to still be learning remotely than white students who are more likely to be receiving instruction in-person. Secondly, they are less likely to get support and supervision at home for online learning.
These disparities is affect students in four major areas including academic performance, competitiveness edge, convenience of learning, and variety of learning experiences. Getting high-speed broadband access to underserved communities and technology training for marginalized families appear to be key to real change and equity. We have to intercede and disrupt this cycle.