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Remote Learning

Bridging the digital divide, closing the homework gap, ensuring educational equity. Different terms, same common problem – millions of students across North America lack access to technology that enables academic success.

The issue has become even more pronounced since the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to close and shift to remote learning. At the beginning of the shutdown, 16 million K-12 students in the U.S. lacked access to a reliable device, high-speed internet or both. ^{( 1 )} While the divide narrowed to roughly 12 million by December 2020 – thanks to CARES Act funding and partnerships with private companies – a sizeable portion of students are still struggling to keep up with their classmates.

Why the Digital Divide Matters

During the pandemic, low-income families and families of color predominately chose to continue remote learning even when students were allowed to return to the classroom. These demographics are less likely to have access to adequate technology, especially if they live in a less wealthy or rural district. ^{( 2 )} Though some of these students may opt for in-person learning in the 2021-2022 school year, some schools still plan to offer virtual learning options, making the issue of equity even more critical.

A Michigan State University report shows that students who lack access to devices and internet access have GPAs that are 0.4 points lower than their peers with reliable access. ^{( 3 )} They are also projected to experience more severe learning loss and are more likely to drop out of school.

Learning loss has been a point of contention since schools went virtual in March 2020. Some surveys show that a majority of educators estimate their students have fallen behind by three or more months in their academic and social-emotional progress. ^{( 4 )} Still, other experts argue that remote learning has actually been better than in-person learning for some students, particularly minority students who were underserved in a traditional classroom setting. ^{( 5 )} This underscores the importance of connectivity, no matter the learning environment.

Funding Opportunities for Schools

As part of the American Rescue Plan, schools across the U.S. will receive $130 billion in funding to help them serve all students, no matter where they’re learning. This investment is particularly focused on ensuring districts address learning loss and social-emotional needs of students who have been most impacted by COVID-19.

Ed tech is expected to make up a significant portion of schools’ American Rescue Plan spending, with some districts looking to bolster their 1:1 programs through device and hot spot purchases, to support remote learners. ^{( 6 )}

One funding stream from the plan focused on improving connectivity for students learning remotely is the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF). It provides $7.1 billion to be distributed through the federal E-rate program to cover the costs of broadband internet service, laptops and tablets, and Wi-Fi hardware.

More Resources

Check out valuable resources to learn more about how this funding source can help your school, and read about more secrets to saving money during the education buying season.

About the Author

Ashley Wallinger is a content marketing specialist at Trox. She began her career in broadcast journalism, working as a producer at two TV stations, where she created content for news broadcasts and digital platforms. She has since held roles as a digital copywriter for a marketing agency, as well as a social media specialist overseeing content creation and analytics for the Scottsdale Unified School District in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her background and profile can be found on LinkedIn.