Report: At Least 25% of Students in 15 States Lack Home Internet Access

Girl at home engaged in remote learning

A new report from the Alliance for Excellent Education’s Future Ready Schools initiative reveals some sobering statistics regarding the digital divide. For one, 16.9 million U.S. students can’t keep up with their homework due to a lack of home internet access. This lack of access impacts 34% of American Indian/Alaska Native, 31% of Latino, 31% of Black, 21% of white and 12% of Asian students. And it’s not just a lack of access; it’s also a lack of devices. Nearly four million households lack a computer, impacting 7.3 million students.

The report is produced in partnership with the National Urban League, UnidosUS and the National Indian Education Association. It reveals that many large rural populations are so remote that they lack basic infrastructure such as broadband and cellular towers. In this time of remote learning, this lack of access must be addressed so that all children can enjoy the power of education, regardless of race, income, or location. Read the report here.