Hi Marcus, good question! The reality is that it is sometimes hard to let families know about all of the resources that are available to them. That’s why, as Oleta mentioned in the previous panel, communication and outreach is an important part of expanding broadband access. Another option is for people to contact their local provider (such as Verizon, Comcast, etc.). Subsidies like the FCC’s Lifeline program go to the providers, who then provide service at discounted rates. www.fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers

It’s hard to say for sure. In some cases, a lack of access to technology is a barrier. But in other cases, technology can give students access to resources they couldn’t get before. For example, we heard from Sonja Santelises (Baltimore City Public Schools) in Session 1 that virtual school has allowed her best teachers to teach more students, and it’s allowed kids who struggled in a traditional school setting to thrive.

Thanks for joining us today!

School districts are doing their best, but we're learning from both urban and rural districts that it's extremely difficult to do so. Each of the districts we spoke to indicated that the virtual students seem to be falling further behind.