LM Nov-Dec_2021

Dividing ... cont’d.

60% of broadband users with lower incomes often or sometimes have connection problems, and 46% are worried at least some about paying for broadband

School districts must collaborate to share these valuable resources with students all over the country. As previously mentioned, public funds available for these resources are limited, so collaborative efforts are absolutely crucial to ensuring that children’s needs are being met. Barring legislative intervention, community-wide responses are the best way to improve access to technology for students. For example, fundraisers, tech donations, open-house events and local-business initiatives are all helpful campaigns that can help bring together communities with the common goal of closing the Homework Gap.

The pandemic has given educators first-hand experience at how crucial (and sometimes frustrating) technology is for academics. If school districts and families organize together in order to help give all students access to technology, the educational experience of the country’s future leaders will be more fair and equitable. School districts, for example, can coordinate with one another to ensure an appropriate distribution of resources so that students across county lines are able to have internet access and so no one gets left behind. Finally, returning back to the idea of continued professional development, educators must be informed and properly trained

18 LM Nov./Dec. 2021