You can find a PDF of this press release here.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brittany-Rae Gregory
brittany-rae@nextcenturycities.org
November 17, 2023

Washington, D.C. (November 17, 2023) – Today in recognition of American Education Week, Next Century Cities released The High Cost of Connectivity Has a Disparate Impact on Public School Students. The report authored by Stacey Baxter examines the digital educational experiences of K-12 students, teachers, and school administrators in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study examines how Internet access, digital literacy and lack thereof contributes to the existing Homework Gap in American public school systems, and provides recommendations for local officials to support school-age families paying the high price for education technology.

The High Cost of Connectivity Has a Disparate Impact on Public School Students focuses on school systems across the nation, their dependence on education technology, and the policies that are financially crippling for families across the United States.

Stacey Baxter, Next Century Cities’ Program Manager, offered the following remarks: 

“Today’s educational systems make technology a necessity for student success. From homework completion, to study materials, to research, to parent portals, families should not be financially responsible for the tools that students need to obtain a high-quality education.”  

Next Century Cities will host an author’s talk with Stacey to discuss the report, the Homework Gap, and digital inequities in the education arena during the November segment of Broadband Bites for Lunch. Register for the talk here.

Read the full report here. To request a print version of the report, please email info@nextcenturycities.org. 

###