Close the Digital Divide

College Board Foundation

What the Research Says 

  • 28 million households are not connected to the Internet, and two-thirds of those can’t afford it—disproportionally impacting Black and Latinx communities. Without high-speed internet at home, students cannot continue their learning and families can’t access critical job training and government services. (Source: Education Superhighway)
  • Students with access to broadband have higher academic achievement and apply to more colleges, suggesting the digital divide is a college access issue. (Source: MIT Press Direct)

 

Policy Solutions 

  • Device access mattered a lot to keep students on track during the pandemic, as shown by students on their AP Exams: there was an 8 percentage point increase in AP exam participation for students who received device assistance.  Ensuring all students have device and broadband access is an important step to close the digital divide.  (Source: College Board)
  • States and districts can use data from internet service providers to identify unconnected students and connect those families to existing Internet providers and federal benefits to help them afford the services. (Source: Education Superhighway)