Teachers pushed through difficult days to find solutions that kept kids learning during an upended school year. Some changes may stick.
School districts and cities are looking to creating their own local Wifi networks as a long term solution to the digital divide, and an alternative to hotspots.
To assess students during distance learning, teachers are relying on informal check-ins, open notes and webcams to monitor a student’s behavior.
State leaders struggle to pinpoint how many students remain unconnected, and fear widening inequality as distance learning continues.
Some teachers report less engagement with cameras off, but anxiety, tech glitches and privacy concerns could keep some students from turning them on.
The governor wants to reimagine the state’s Broadband Council and ramp up efforts to connect all students to technology during distance learning.
A citywide campaign raised $12.5 million to provide for low income students, but the devices have not yet arrived due to a backlog.
At least 100,000 tablets with internet included will be ready for districts in time for the new school year, state officials said.
Many school districts will have to ditch plans for hybrid learning and in-person classes at the start of the school year.
About 56,700 laptops and 94,000 hotspots have been sent to districts across the state so far.
A bond proposal aims to build broadband infrastructure in rural California, help purchase computers and fund professional training for teachers.
Distance learning expected to continue next year as districts move to a hybrid online and in-person instruction model.
Donation brings total funding to $12 million to purchase devices and internet access for students to help provide distance learning.
Some charter schools with technology already in place are putting greater emphasis on family support during the coronavirus pandemic.
More than a month since most schools first closed, at least 270,000 students remain disconnected to the internet at home.
