Technology has reshaped classrooms around the world, offering new ways to teach, learn, and connect. In theory, digital tools can level the playing field by giving every student access to high-quality resources. In practice, however, unequal access to devices, broadband, and digital literacy often reinforces the very inequities schools aim to eliminate.
When COVID-19 forced schools to shift online, the digital divide became impossible to ignore. In 2020, an estimated 15 to 16 million students in the United States lacked either a device or reliable home internet. These students were disproportionately from low-income, Black, Latinx, or rural households (BCG). While nearly all schools distributed laptops or tablets during the pandemic, consistent internet access proved harder to guarantee. By 2022, only 45 percent of schools still offered home internet solutions, a steep drop from 70 percent the year before (All4Ed).
The disparities are even more striking when broken down by race and income. Half of Native American and Alaska Native children lacked either a home device or high-speed internet. So did 36 percent of Black children and 34 percent of Hispanic children. In contrast, only 20 percent of white children and 14 percent of Asian children faced the same issue (PRB). In California, just 57 percent of low-income families with school-age children reported reliable internet access at home during the first year of the pandemic (PPIC).
Some districts have taken creative steps to close these gaps. In Albemarle County, Virginia, local leaders used educational spectrum licenses to build a broadband network for students in remote areas, bypassing commercial internet providers entirely (Wired). Other regions, including parts of Texas and Maryland, have launched statewide broadband initiatives and digital equity offices to ensure continued access beyond the pandemic.
Even when devices and connectivity are available, other challenges remain. Many teachers lack the training to integrate educational technology effectively, especially in under-resourced schools. A 2023 survey found that more than half of middle and high school students still struggle with unreliable internet connections at school. Meanwhile, nearly three-quarters of elementary districts restrict student devices to classroom use only, limiting opportunities for continued learning at home (GovTech).
To truly close the equity gap, schools must move beyond short-term fixes. That means investing in broadband infrastructure, teacher training, accessible digital tools, and inclusive policies. When used well, technology can empower all learners. When used unevenly, it risks leaving the most vulnerable students further behind.
Read More:
Closing the Digital Divide – BCG
Digital Equity in the COVID Era – All4Ed
The Digital Divide in Education – PPIC
Virginia’s Broadband Experiment – Wired