ISTE Live 2023: Leveraging technology to support equity of learning experiences

During the global health crisis, K-12 educators, parents, students and policymakers alike had to face some hard truths concerning online and in-classroom instruction. The pandemic did not create inequities in access to high-quality instructional materials, but it did remind us of the need for all students, both at home and in school, to have the access needed to experience equitable learning environments. 

During the pandemic there was plenty of technology funding for K-12 schools passed via the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds.

Most schools used their ECF and ESSER funding for student laptops and Chromebooks, or for delivering Internet connectivity off campus.  According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 94% of public schools surveyed are providing devices like laptops or tablets to students who need them this year. According to those same findings, 45% of schools surveyed now provide internet access to students who need it at home.

However, according to new findings from the Speak Up™ Research Project facilitated annually by Project Tomorrow®,  the expectation was that school districts would leverage the pandemic era funding to address the key issues of learning loss and recovery, and on systems to address the challenges of equity attainment. The optimum state of equity would be created when students across the country are presented with equally superior learning experiences, regardless of zip code or demographics.

The path forward

Project Tomorrow’s report,  Beyond the Homework Gap: Leveraging Technology to Support Equity of Learning Experiences in School, asserts that by leveraging the current diversified collection of funding available to support new technology investments, schools could address many of the equity issues currently being discussed at school boards nationwide, including: 

• Delivering all students high-quality instructional materials, hard copy digital, and online.
• Building connectivity that enables students and teachers to seamlessly interact with digital resources effectively.
• Providing classroom sets of digital learning devices to every student.
• Supplying teachers with online tools, resources and training to help them to create equitable learning experiences for all students.

According to district technology leaders, the investments they have made in technology during the 2020-21 school year have already resulted in significant benefits, including improving school-to-home communications (74%), improving the relevancy and quality of instructional materials (61%), enhancing teachers’ skills with technology use within learning (61%), increasing student engagement in learning (52%) and providing new and more equitable educational opportunities for all students (52%). 

The impact of proper access and application of technology is universally acclaimed. Project Tomorrow reports that 85% of district administrators and 71% of school principals say that effective technology use in schools is important to the future success of K-12 students.

Unreliable access to online learning tools is a universal concern

Reliable access to online learning tools for use in classrooms is one concern that spans all schools. Yet, even so, the need for consistent and reliable classroom internet access that can support high-bandwidth digital resources is less prevalent in some schools. It is becoming increasingly clear that the pandemic and the resulting school disruptions have forever changed K-12 education. A key lesson learned from the experience is that equity is about more than providing a student with a Chromebook and a hotspot. The learning experience matters.

The report goes on to state that schools have an increased need for classroom sets of devices. And teachers everywhere are expressly looking for additional support from their school and district leadership to help them with the effective usage of technology within learning environments. 

Dr. Julie Evans, CEO and Lead Researcher of Project Tomorrow, will be presenting the findings of her organization’s report at an ISTE Live 23 session on June 27 in Philadelphia.

How Spectrum Enterprise can help

As the Project Tomorrow report finds, reliable connectivity and scalable bandwidth needs in schools are greater than ever. We have a variety of solutions that can help schools meet those challenges and are also eligible for E-Rate discounts. With over 20 years of experience in K-12, Spectrum Enterprise is a proven E-Rate partner for schools, with the Category 1, Category 2 and non-E-Rate solutions districts need to keep up with today's educational technology demands. 

Our K-12 Education Network Specialists are ready to be your partner in championing student success. In addition to offering solutions for in-school access to digital learning tools, Our Stay Connected K-12 allows schools to offer high-speed, cable broadband Internet access direct to students, educators and staff in their homes so learning, teaching and working are uninterrupted.

If you’re attending the ISTE conference, stop by and see us at Booth 1064 and see why the top two largest K-12 school districts in the US rely on Spectrum Enterprise for technology solutions. 

About Project Tomorrow

For the past 18 years, Project Tomorrow, a national education nonprofit organization, has been investigating the role of digital tools, content and resources within schools and classrooms through the Speak Up Research Project. Since 2003, over 6 million K-12 students, parents, teachers and administrators have shared their firsthand perspectives and ideas on the role of technology in education. Reflecting the priorities and concerns of school and district leaders, the research has also focused on the challenges associated with technology usage, including how to fund the necessary investments in infrastructure and tools.