No equity in computer science education without connectivity

As 2020 comes to a close, the global pandemic has disrupted the ways students and families learn, work and communicate; computer connectivity has become a critical lifeline for everyone. As online life becomes our new normal, it is crucial that all Californians — especially our students — have access to both connectivity and computer science education.

Despite being home to the world’s tech capital, 1.5 million students in California lack adequate connectivity, and 60% of these students are Black, Latinx or Indigenous. Additionally, more than 2 in 5 students from low-income households have limited access to a computer or stable internet connection.

In search of a remedy to these unequal patterns of educational opportunity in online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous philanthropic efforts have launched and two lawsuits have been filed by community groups seeking accountability. But, much more action is needed from our state government.

Now is the time for state leadership. State Sen. Lena Gonzalez, a Democrat from Long Beach, has introduced Senate Bill 4 to provide high-speed internet access for students most affected by the digital divide — Black, Latinx, Indigenous and low-income students. But we can do more to close the digital divide and expand equity in computer science education:

1. Ensure “fast enough” broadband by households, not just students. In order to effectively learn virtually, students require adequate broadband connectivity. We must increase access to high-speed broadband with reasonable upload/download speeds per household, rather than per student, with technical support for families in multiple languages.

2. Guarantee a 1:1 device to student ratio: Every student needs a laptop, preloaded with the necessary tools that can run video meetings. Although many students have connected to classes via hand-held devices, cell phones are not suitable for learning.

3. Invest in teachers’ own connectivity and devices. Teachers need guaranteed high-speed broadband and equipment to design and deliver instructional content online, and are entitled to technical support provided by their school district — otherwise, students suffer.

4. Teach students and families basic digital and data privacy protection skills. Students, families and teachers need digital literacy skills to safely navigate the internet, find and access information, and utilize digital tools to learn, work and connect with loved ones.

5. Measure progress with transparency to ensure equity. We need transparent and centralized data-reporting on the progress of meeting localized technology needs for all students and households to help inform infrastructure deployments, investments and future policies.

Among the many lessons we have learned in 2020, is that technology and connectivity should become a public utility for which everyone should have access. Let’s start the new year with the tools and resources every family deserves.

Teachers need guaranteed high-speed broadband and equipment to design and deliver instructional content online, and are entitled to technical support provided by their school district — otherwise, students suffer.

Allison Scott is the chief research officer at the Kapor Center, allison@kaporcenter. org. She is co- director of the Computer Science for California Coalition. Julie Flapan is the director of the Computer Science Equity Project at UCLA Center X, flapan@gseis.ucla.edu. She is co- director of the Computer Science for California Coalition.