Partners in Bridging the Digital Divide special promotional section
[ PICTURED L-R ]: ASSEMBLYMEMBER CECILIA AGUIAR-CURRY AND COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT GARTH LEWIS
YOLO COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION
Advocating for Broadband Equity
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The pandemic has illuminated the importance of intentionally and strategically closing the Digital Divide ,” says Garth Lewis , County Superintendent of Schools for the Yolo County Office of Education . “ In Yolo County , our families in rural , unincorporated areas struggle with access to broadband . Additionally , the cost is prohibitive for families in all areas of the county .”
“ An investment in broadband is an investment in our children ’ s future ,” Lewis adds . “ For students , internet access is critical to their curriculum now and , as they become adults , it ’ s critical to making them fully capable digital citizens able to participate in society .”
In Yolo County , only 83 % of households have broadband internet and in 2019 , nearly 51 % of students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch . Some families may be forced to choose food and housing over internet access , driving an equity and access issue .
“ We are collaborating with other agencies — from our county , cities and school districts — to understand where broadband access is limited and exploring ways to lower internet costs by leveraging available resources to support families ,” Lewis says . “ We are also partnering with local legislators like Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry , sponsor of Assembly Bill 14 , to understand the impacts of broadband access for education .”
Assembly Bill 14 , or the Internet for All Act , would deploy broadband infrastructure to close the Digital Divide , with a goal to provide broadband access to underserved households throughout California . “ The last 14 months have made clear what many of us from small towns and rural areas have known for years : we ’ re not using all of the technological tools available to us to serve our people ,” says Aguiar-Curry . The Yolo County Office of Education is helping the legislature understand the impact of the Digital Divide by capturing the student voice and experience .
“ An investment in broadband is an investment in our children ’ s future .”
— Garth Lewis County Superintendent of Schools
1280 Santa Anita Ct # 100 Woodland , CA 95776 ( 530 ) 668-6700
ycoe . org
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