digital divide Archives

Building AI for kids: A developer’s guide to age-appropriate safety architecture

March 26, 2026 by Robin Singhvi, Gramms AI

Building AI apps and products for kids isn’t harder than building them for adults—but it does carry different considerations.

When I shipped Gramms AI to the App Store, I ran straight into a question that every developer building for kids will eventually face: What does “age-appropriate” actually…

AI in Education

The digital divide redux: Why AI is the new broadband

February 3, 2026 by Dr. Mark Taormino, College of Southern Nevada

AI models should ensure every instructor, student, and creator has a viable economic access path--ads are a roadblock.

Remember the early 2000s, back when high-speed internet felt like a luxury reserved for the tech elite and the lucky few with deep pockets? We called it the…

DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access)

Bridging the digital divide to empower the youngest learners

June 19, 2025 by Dr. Melanie Johnson, Collaborative for Children

In Greater Houston, where nearly half of children start kindergarten unprepared, Collaborative for Children is taking bold steps to close the digital divide, beginning with our youngest learners.

Digital Learning Tools

Post-pandemic, a new era of teaching and learning

March 17, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Schools are embracing innovation and AI for teaching & learning to meet students' needs in equitable and accessible ways after the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on K-12 education, reshaping how students learn and educators teach. As schools closed their doors, remote learning became the primary mode…

DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access)

Only 27 percent of states plan to sustain K-12 digital access as federal programs end

February 19, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

SETDA's digital access report outlines strategies to prevent millions of students from losing internet access and further falling behind.

Only 27 percent of states have plans to sustain K-12 digital access as key federal programs expire, according to a new report from SETDA, the principal association representing…

AI in Education

Equitable access to AI in classrooms is a problem–the solution is professional learning

November 13, 2024 by Michelle Stie, National Math and Science Initiative

Bridging the AI access gap for all students will require high-quality professional development that empowers both teachers and K-12 leaders.

Generative AI is transforming the nature of work in many fields. One analysis claims more than 60 percent of the jobs in advanced economies will be supported by…

E-rate Funding

E-rate funding supports essential learning at a critical time, survey finds

November 4, 2024 by ESchool News Staff

Findings unveil E-rate funding data and its impact on internet connectivity and digital learning in U.S. schools and libraries.

Federal E-rate funding remains an essential function in bridging the digital divide, particularly for rural and underserved communities, according to an annual report from Funds For Learning.

DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access)

Increasing K-12 tech accessibility

September 24, 2024 by Sam Bowman, Contributing Writer

Students need tech knowledge and skills--classrooms need to be equipped with tech tools via tech accessibility and equitable access.

Believing that all students have the same access to technology is a mistake. According to the U.S. Census, 90 percent of American households have a broadband internet subscription,…

DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access)

The digital divide still holds students back

August 7, 2024 by Laura Ascione

The digital divide persists--access to devices and internet for students with lower family incomes lags that of students with higher incomes.

Students’ access to technology has improved over time, although it continues to vary across family income categories and racial and ethnic groups, according to a new study released today…

CoSN Corner

Demystifying mobile and broadband speeds

July 17, 2024 by John Parker, CoSN's Digital Equity Dashboard

Understanding mobile and broadband speeds is essential to ensure students have the necessary internet access for learning.

In today’s digital age, understanding mobile and broadband speeds is crucial for school administrators and educators to ensure students have access to adequate internet connectivity.

Live @ CoSN2024

Meet the Winners—Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) in Manassas, Virginia wins the 2024 Community Leadership Award for Digital Equity.

April 12, 2024 by Kevin Hogan

The CoSN Community Leadership Award for Digital Equity recognizes a district that is working to address digital equity, narrow the Homework Gap ... Read more

DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access)

2024 National Education Technology Plan targets the digital divide

February 8, 2024 by Laura Ascione

NETP frames three key digital divide areas limiting the transformational potential of edtech in teaching and learning.

The latest iteration of the U.S. Department of Education's National Educational Technology Plan (NETP) takes aim at several obstacles limiting edtech's ability to transform teaching and learning.

E-rate Funding

The looming threat that could worsen the digital divide

January 19, 2024 by Diamond McKenna, Co-Founder, Diamond Assets

Expiring ECF funding poses a substantial threat to the strides made in narrowing the digital divide in underserved schools and libraries that depend on the E-rate.

In an era where technology plays a pivotal role in education, the expiration of the E-rate program's Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) funding poses a significant threat to underserved…

K-12 Tech Innovation News

What is one negative effect technology has had on education?

December 11, 2023 by Laura Ascione

While technology has revolutionized K-12 education, its integration has not been without challenges. There do exist potential negative impacts, including issues like the digital divide, unequal access to…

Innovation Insights

What does blended learning mean in post-pandemic classrooms?

December 12, 2023December 5, 2023 by Kevin Hogan

A recently released white paper “Building Back Stronger: New Thinking and Technologies Reshaping Education,” delves into the myriad ways K-12 schools are embracing different methodologies and cutting-edge technologies…

DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access)

How schools can help students overcome the digital divide

February 28, 2024October 20, 2023 by Laura Ascione

Schools and school leaders can help students and families achieve digital equity by pursuing at-home internet connectivity.

When it comes to digital equity, U.S. schools are well-positioned to help families get online with low-cost, high-speed internet options through the federal government's Affordable Connectivity Program

DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access)

Five action steps to shrink the digital divide

October 6, 2023 by Laura Ascione

Far too many American households still do not have home internet service--and the digital divide impacts students who desperately need access

New research examining national attitudes toward home broadband and the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides insights on how to close the digital divide and connect households to…

DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access)

Driving equitable learning with thoughtful software implementation

August 25, 2023 by Justin Reilly

Equitable learning is not a distant dream; it is a vision we can achieve with intentional efforts and strategic implementation of technology.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the forefront the stark reality of inequities in our education system. As schools shifted to remote learning, a digital divide emerged, leaving…

Innovation Insights

How asynchronous tech can bridge the digital divide

June 27, 2023June 20, 2023 by Kevin Hogan

When pondering the future of education, it’s understandable that most of us will slip into Utopian scenarios. Think Garrison Keiler’s ... Read more

Equity

Addressing the digital divide’s effects on education and the workforce

March 20, 2023 by Alison Bell, Regional Vice President, Western Governors University

Closing the digital divide and increasing access to online education supports workforce development across the country.

Our society relies on the internet for education, jobs, and personal needs, yet our country’s digital divide has been an ongoing issue, affecting the 14.5 million Americans who…

Coding and Robotics

How computer science education bridges the digital divide

January 24, 2023 by Christopher Kerr, Computer and Information Science Teacher, Newington High School

Students from underrepresented backgrounds need extra encouragement to try computer science education and reap benefits from computing skills.

Amid the havoc that the pandemic wreaked on our lives, there were important lessons to be learned. It proved that people skilled with technology could navigate and succeed,…

Edtech Trends

Systems check

January 25, 2023November 22, 2022 by Kevin Hogan

Are your education systems up to snuff? Take stock of the latest developments

In this episode of Innovations in Education, hosted by Kevin Hogan: 4 ways to design collaborative learning spaces; free internet could erase the digital divide; and STEM lessons…

DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access)

Free internet could erase the digital divide

December 5, 2022November 15, 2022 by Laura Ascione

Despite unconnected households being eligible for free internet, complex barriers prevent enrollment and perpetuate the digital divide.

Local leaders must play a critical role in closing the digital divide for 18 million American households that have access to the internet but can't afford to connect,…

Internet Connectivity

High-speed internet is a basic necessity–not a luxury–when it comes to learning

December 5, 2022August 26, 2022 by Laura Ascione

A large majority said at-home, high-speed internet access for K-12 students' learning is incredibly important for learning post-pandemic.

Americans overwhelmingly believe that high-speed internet access is a basic necessity, according to a new survey from Kajeet. Additionally, this need for connectivity is not new, as nearly…

Newsline

Kajeet Awards $550,000 To 22 Organizations for Purchasing Connectivity Solutions That Drive Digital Inclusion in Education

June 23, 2022 by ESchool News Staff

MCLEAN, VA. (PRWEB) JUNE 23, 2022 — Kajeet®, a leading provider of wireless connectivity, software and hardware solutions that deliver secure, ... Read more

Newsline

Kajeet to Bring Next-Gen Private 5G to Schools & Students Across America in Partnership with Google Cloud

June 16, 2022 by ESchool News Staff

MCLEAN, Va.–( BUSINESS WIRE)– Kajeet, a world-class provider of private wireless and managed IoT connectivity, today announced a collaboration with ... Read more

SEL & Well-Being

3 ways schools can support youth mental health

May 2, 2022 by Thom Jones, School Threat Detection and Prevention Expert, Navigate 360

The earlier schools can detect concerning behaviors, the better positioned they will be to address youth mental health challenges.

The collective damage caused by the pandemic has yet to be fully understood, but the toll it has taken on youth mental health and emotional well-being is becoming…

Newsline

Kajeet Announces Launch of 2022 Homework Gap Grant Program for K-12 Schools and Districts, Colleges and Universities, and Public Libraries

January 18, 2022 by ESchool News Staff

MCLEAN, VA. (PRWEB) JANUARY 13, 2022 — Kajeet®, a leading provider of IoT connectivity, software and hardware solutions that deliver safe, ... Read more

Newsline

Kajeet Appoints Industry Veteran Chris Felix as Vice President of Education Sales

January 8, 2022 by ESchool News Staff

MCLEAN, VA. — Jan. 8, 2022 — Kajeet®, a leading provider of IoT connectivity, software and hardware solutions that deliver ... Read more

Newsline

Defeat the Digital Divide Helps Bring Reliable Internet Connections to Schools Nationwide

October 25, 2021 by ESchool News Staff

COVINGTON, KY: October 21, 2021 – A new website launched by a collaboration of leading technology experts, STEP CG and ... Read more

Internet Connectivity

Building your emergency back-to-school kit with reliable connectivity

December 5, 2022September 28, 2021 by Todd Krautkremer, CMO, Cradlepoint

Schools are expected to help students become better-prepared for the future—and emerging technologies can play a critical role

A simmering demand for reliable connectivity in education turned to a boil during the pandemic when the digital divide--something that many under-connected communities were already facing--exploded. This was…

Newsline

Savvas Learning Company Teams Up with EveryoneOn to Provide Free WiFi to 100 Families to Support Digital Learning at Home

May 5, 2021 by ESchool News Staff

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, Savvas enables teachers to better connect with students by helping to close the digital ... Read more

Newsline

Kajeet Announces Global Expansion, Enters U.K. Market

April 23, 2021 by ESchool News Staff

Here are a number of ways that scaffolding learning experience can help support all students and provide equity

Leading wireless connectivity provider launches London office, extending award-winning solutions to the U.K. McLean, Va. – April 21, 2021 – ... Read more

District Management

The U.S. needs billions to close the digital divide

May 25, 2021March 18, 2021 by Laura Ascione

For too long, the digital divide has put far too many students at an unfair disadvantage, and it's about time to seriously address that gap, as seen on this keyboard with a digital divide key

As Americans close out one year of pandemic-related school disruption and head into a second, the digital divide remains a daunting challenge for K-12 public school systems in…

Newsline

Verizon launches free trainings and tools to help educators navigate digital instruction

November 17, 2020 by ESchool News Staff

What you need to know: As the nation faces a surge in Covid-19 cases, and schools continue to grapple with ... Read more

Newsline

Texas Education Agency and Verizon enable distance learning for 18.9M students in 16 states

August 20, 2020 by ESchool News Staff

Early elementary school teacher Sara VanderWel shares distance learning video lessons she created for her kindergarten class

For students across Texas and around the country, bridging the digital divide and providing reliable Internet connectivity that enables distance ... Read more

District Management

When the digital divide is made worse by a pandemic

January 3, 2021June 29, 2020 by eSchool News Staff

As it turns out, the digital divide proves tougher for students with fewer electronic devices at home--and the COVID-19 crisis makes the divide even wider

The digital divide is proving one of the most pervasive and stubborn challenges in U.S. education, and its effects can follow students from kindergarten through college. As if…

District Management

Family tech nights can narrow the digital divide

January 21, 2020November 21, 2018 by Matthew Hiefield

When we talk about digital equity, the conversation often focuses on providing opportunities for all students to learn in an increasingly connected world. We talk about devices and…

District Management

Study highlights plight of students with only one device at home

October 5, 2018 by Laura Ascione

The digital divide is proving one of the most pervasive and stubborn challenges in U.S. education, and its effects can follow students from kindergarten through college. A new…

District Management

10 steps for bringing connectivity home

August 28, 2018 by Frankie Jackson

This fall, Cypress-Fairbanks (TX) Independent School District is particularly excited about welcoming back 150 of our underserved elementary, middle, and high school students after they’ve enjoyed their first…

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