Demolishing the Digital Divide

Phoenix, AZ— Internet access has become the new paper and pencil for students, but what does that mean for students who can’t afford WIFI at home? It results in an educational disadvantage, or better known as a “digital divide”.

Digital platforms continue to dominate the curriculum currently used in schools and the education system has become dependent on the internet. This includes WIFI access not only at school but also in the home.

“The internet was the medium, the utility per say, to allow us to teach virtually and we just didn’t have it. So, what did we need to do? And that’s really where the digital divide project was born,” said Victoria Farrar, Cartwright Elementary School District Chief Financial Officer.

Cartwright Elementary School District is one of the first school districts in Arizona to recognize the dilemma and take action to solve it.

Madison School District, located in Phoenix, addressed this problem by providing students, in need of internet access, with Chromebooks with internet filtering policies, ensuring access to the Madison Virtual Academy (MVA), K-1-2 Remote Learning at-home virtual learning programs, said Nicole Rodriguez, Madison School District Director of Community Relations and Marketing.

“Through the generous bond approval of our voters, the district has been able to work to close the digital divide by purchasing enough Chromebooks for every student,” said Rodriguez. “Improvement could be made by ensuring replacement Chromebooks are available when any of our existing devices might be damaged or break down.”

“It’s not a one size fits all and it’s not something that there is only one way to do it. That’s what has been really beautiful about this project because we have really been able to see how we can get it done. We know what we need, the different varieties and options of how we get it done have just been amazing,” said Farrar.