Accessing the internet and knowing how to navigate digital tools is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. In today’s digital world, students need computers to do homework, job applicants need them to build resumes and our workforce must understand basic digital skills for many job functions.
According to recent data reported by the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA), only 27% of states plan to sustain K-12 digital access initiatives as key federal programs close out, like the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER). Further, the National Skills Coalition reported 92% of jobs require some knowledge of digital skills.
To help sustain these digital access and literacy efforts, Congress passed the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which included $2.75B for the Digital Equity Act (DEA). The DEA was created for the sole purpose of helping close the digital divide our neighbors and communities face every day.
Earlier this year, the DEA was terminated and grants recommended for award were cancelled. As written in the original Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the grants recommended would have done at least one of the following:
- Develop and implement digital inclusion activities
- Facilitate the adoption of broadband to provide educational and employment opportunities
- Implement training programs that cover basic, advanced and applied skills
- Implement workforce development programs
- Make available equipment, instrumentation, networking capability and digital network technology for broadband services at low or no cost
- Construct, upgrade, expand or operate new or existing public access computing centers through community anchor institutions
The DEA is necessary for our students, workforce and communities to thrive. Will you take a moment to tell your elected officials these programs are important to you and your neighbors? It takes only a few seconds.
Thank you for lending your voice so all members of our community have the opportunity to thrive.
