With no computer or internet at home, Raegan Byrd's homework assignments present a nightly challenge: How much can she get done using just her smartphone?
She is among nearly 3 million students around the country who face struggles keeping up with their studies because they must make do without home internet. In classrooms, access to laptops and the internet is nearly universal. But at home, the cost of internet service and gaps in its availability create obstacles in urban areas and rural communities alike.
School districts, local governments and others have tried to help. Districts installed wireless internet on buses and loaned out hot spots. Many communities compiled lists of wi-fi-enabled restaurants and other businesses where children are welcome to linger and do schoolwork. Others repurposed unused television frequencies to provide connectivity, a strategy that the Hartford Public Library plans to try next year in the north end.
Students without internet at home are more likely to be students of color, from low-income families or in households with lower parental education levels. Janice Flemming-Butler, who has researched barriers to internet access in Hartford's largely black north end, said the disadvantage for minority students is an injustice on the same level as"when black people didn't have books.
"I have kids all the time who are like, 'Miss, can you just give me a paper copy of this?' And I'm like, 'Well, no, because I really need you to get familiar with technology because it's not going away,'" she said.
I graduated in 1998 with honors. Never once did I use the internet to do any type of homework. This is the education systems problem for relying o. The internet to do their jobs. Prior to the internet teachers were forced to teach. What happened.
I'm told, 'The public library has computers and internet.' we have 200 students that are without access to either. Our public library has 20 computers. Imagine being one of the students wealthy enough to drive to the library daily and still not have access.
First world problems
It would be a 'drop in the bucket' if Bill Gates would furnish them all the internet they need.
What else does the taxpayer have to provide for every fucking body? Can you please take Uncle Sam’s hand out of my fucking pocket please.
In one of the richest countries- something is wrong
Oh ya'll probably next gonna tell me the taxpayers need to pay for this
You can tell these are conservative idiots on here commenting. It clearly puts these kids at a disadvantage from their peers who come from $ which is what these ppl want b/c less competition. Clearly the best ppl don't get the jobs.
This is why they need the public library. It helps them access computers and educational material to help them study. Drumpf cutting public tv/libraries and the arts hurts low income students the most. He is evil.
Education as most everything has become digital so trade offs have to be made or using school/ commercial facilities play inn.
It would be great if the internet imploded. Homeschool & RollTheTVOutTheFrontDoor Public education & television is a bunch of desensitization & indoctrinating garbage.
Really? We need to worry about internet and homework, when these kids cant even get a hot lunch at school or goto the doctor?
So says Socialist=Dem=Liberal news, more political bull.
School children Should not have homework! When school is done they can learn other aspects of life with family, nature, & society!
But, they all have cellphones
That may be a blessing in disguise for them, they can actually concentrate on studying instead of gaming, etc.
Almost all library's have computer access
Wow, imagine these kids 30 years ago. They do still have library’s which have books.
Next we will be paying for someone’s internet..
Democrats get a new platform. Free computers and wi-fi for every home in the country. Again the rich will pay for it.
Did that survey included if they had internet on their phones? I get upset with students who say they can not look things up...yet they have snap chat.etc
There are a lot of libraries in cities . . .
This is an Advertisement for Internet Company
So go to Starbucks
'homework gap' lol
Thank you elonmusk for the Starlink!!!
Count me in
While many children lose focus because they have access to the internet leading to low drive in the passion to learn
Back in my time. We didn't have internet, we went to the library!
DISNEYNEWS
Hard to believe these days...