Digital Equity among K-12 Students in Washington State
A blog post by Ethan Dith
When we think about digital equity, we generally think of device access to all, but in reality, it means essential access to not just devices but connectivity to the internet, skills, and resources required for digital literacy. K-12 systems in Washington State are struggling with providing these resources and services to many underserved students across the state. This creates a barrier that students must overcome in order to succeed in today's workforce.
Digital inequity impacts many K-12 Students all across Washington with more than 130,000 K-12 students without high-speed internet access and 70,000 students without access to a personal technological device (Washington Student Achievement Council, 2021) This accounts for around one-fourth of the K-12 students in Washington State.
The goals for improving digital inequity are giving 1:1 device access, improving digital connectivity, and giving technical support and learning to students. In 2022, in support of Digital Equity and Inclusion Washington State schools were awarded $18.6 million dollars. Washington State Senate passed bill 1365 which “procured and supported appropriate computers and devices for public school students and instructional staff”.
Sources
Invested.org. The all in washington digital equity initiative has provided critical resources to close the digital divide and support remote learning. https://invested.org/pages/dei
Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Digital Equity and Inclusion. https://www.k12.wa.us/policy-funding/school-technology/digital-equity-and-inclusion
Washington Student Achievement Council. The Digital Divide: Examining HighSpeed Internet and Computer Access for Washington Students. https://wsac.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2021-05-24-Digital-Divide-Report.pdf
