In a time when a fast internet connection can be the difference between a well-rounded education and feeling left behind, the digital divide is an ugly reminder that not all students have equal access to the tools they need to succeed.
But with the E-rate program in place and managed IT services for schools, we are taking important steps towards bridging this divide and promoting digital inclusion for all students. Do you have students who struggle to find good WiFi access? Are your classrooms falling behind because of outdated or insufficient technology? The E-rate program can help.
Understanding the Digital Divide
The digital divide represents the disparity between those who have access to technology and the internet and those who do not. In the context of education, this gap can manifest in various ways, from a lack of broadband internet at home for completing homework to outdated or nonexistent technology infrastructure within the school.
The divide is not just a matter of convenience but a critical factor in determining a student’s future. It can influence a child’s ability to access online learning resources, collaborate with peers, or explore the full scope of educational content available on the internet.
Although the gap is closing, there’s still a significant portion of lower-income households without a high-speed internet connection, which suggests that many students may struggle to keep pace with more digitally privileged peers.
What Is the E-rate Program?
The importance of closing this digital divide cannot be overstated. It is essential for the sake of educational equity—an ideal where every student has access to the resources and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.
One of the most significant enablers of digital inclusion in K-12 schools is the E-rate program. Established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the 1990s, the program provides discounts to assist most schools and libraries in the United States to obtain affordable telecommunications and internet access. It is one of the most tangible ways the government is working to shrink the digital divide.
The program operates under a tiered system, offering funding from 20 to 90 percent of the costs, depending on the economic need of the institution.
E-rate Funding in Action: Digital Inclusion in Greenville County Schools
For Greenville County Schools (GCS) in South Carolina, managed IT services for schools have made huge leaps in bridging the digital divide. GCS serves 75,000 students across 100 schools and centers, but without a reliable mobile broadband router, their students were unable to access digital learning resources outside of school hours.
The district set out to tackle this challenge with an initiative to boost remote learning on 400 school buses. With Cradlepoint’s NetCloud Service for Mobile and the upgrade of wireless edge routers, GCS can now access built-in LTE, Wi-Fi, GPS, firewall, content filtering, and centralized network monitoring.
Thanks to improved technology, GCS students turned their bus rides into productive homework sessions, helping students without internet access at home. In addition, all of these tools can be monitored from IT headquarters, which means that any issues can be quickly addressed and students are never left behind.
Work With ANC Group to Start Your Digital Transformation Journey
For any administrator looking to leverage E-rate for their school’s digital inclusion efforts, it’s crucial to partner with technology experts who understand the nuances of the E-rate program and can assist in shaping a strategy that maximizes your entitlements.
To begin your school’s digital transformation or for more information, reach out to our team at ANC Group, and discover how we can help you apply E-rate funding to bridge the digital divide at your K-12 establishment.
