The pandemic and school closures highlighted the digital divide in K–12 education, with inequities in access to the internet, devices and virtual learning. Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed legislation (House Bill 1449) to bridge the digital divide by prioritizing $250 million in broadband grants for schools and students for at-home use.
“Using the internet to support schoolwork has quickly become the norm, a need that will continue even after schools return to full-time, in-person learning. Yet tens of thousands of Indiana students face significant challenges accessing devices and broadband for at-home learning.
“Providing families and schools with funding is an important first step toward closing the longstanding homework gap and addressing the digital divide.”
Patricia Levesque, ExcelinEd CEO
According to a 2020 study from Ball State University, more than 42,000 Indiana households with school-aged children lack internet access at home. In January 2021, the Purdue Center for Regional Development (PCRD) published a report estimating that in areas across Indiana most affected by the digital divide, nearly 15% of the population are children.
For more information on digital access and equity, visit the ExcelinEd policy library.
