ED Programs that Help Bridge the Digital Divide

A 1998, U.S. Department of Commerce report, Falling through the Net II: New Data on the Digital Divide, showed that although more Americans now own computers, certain groups are still far less likely to have computers or online access. Lack of such access affects the ability of children to improve their learning with educational software, adults to learn valuable technology skills, and families to benefit from online connections to important health and civic information. A follow-up study, released by President Clinton in July 1999, documents that the "digital divide" continues to grow. Similar data gathered by the U.S. Department of Education highlights a "digital divide" in our nation’s schools, with children attending high poverty schools less likely to have access to computers, the Internet, or high quality educational technology programs.

U.S. Department of Education programs provide substantial funding to help American schools and communities bridge the "digital divide," reducing inequities in access to information technology and the Internet.

Community Technology Centers
$10 million in FY1999, $32.5 million in FY2000, 65 million in FY2001
CTCs expand access to information technology and learning services through the creation of computer learning facilities in low-income communities. The technology at these centers is used for pre-school preparation, workforce development, after-school enrichment, and adult and continuing education. For more information, contact Mary LeGwin at (202) 260-2499 or visit http://www.ed.gov/programs/comtechcenters/index.html.

Program Example: Wallace Community College Selma, Alabama
Wallace Community College and partners will create five new CTCs in rural, Western Alabama. Three of the five counties to be served are among the most disadvantaged/high poverty counties in the country. The CTCs will provide adults and children with basic computer skills instruction, access to computer learning programs in reading, writing and math, and career development. Each center will have an Information Technology Career Resource Station for those interested in pursuing careers in computer science. Project partners include the Ford Foundation Rural Community College Initiative, American Association of Community Colleges\Microsoft Corporation Working Connections Information Technology program, and county Departments of Housing, Human Resources, and Adult Education.

To learn more about how other ED technology programs are helping to bridge the digital divide, go here.

Headlines...

The fourth report in the Falling Through the Net series, Falling Through the Net: Toward Digital Inclusion, is now available online. This report measures the extent of digital inclusion by looking at households and individuals that have a computer and an Internet connection. For the first time, this report also provides data on high-speed access to the Internet, as well as access to the Internet and computers by people with disabilities. Highlights of the major findings of this report are also available online.

NSF Advanced Networking Project With Minority-Serving Institutions: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a four-year, $6 million grant to EDUCAUSE, an association of over 1,600 institutions of higher education and 160 corporate partners, to materially assist Minority-Serving Institutions as they develop the campus infrastructure and national connections to become and remain full participants in the emerging Internet-based "Information Age."

A Tool Kit for Bridging the Digital Divide in your Community

The Bridge Builders Conference - Over the Digital Divide: Focused on how to bridge the gap to ensure all Americans - regardless of income, education, geography, disability or race - have access to information technology (9/00).

Publications...