DIGITAL EQUITY

The crises in education and economic immobility began long before COVID-19. We must act to equip all communities with the requisite digital tools, resources, and support for immediate and long term success.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused Americans across the U.S. to rethink how they approach their day-to-day lives. As education increasingly depends on virtual tools to access classes and homework, it is apparent that having access to reliable and affordable internet and technology are prerequisites for students to receive quality education. Disparities in internet connectivity and reliability are indisputable for low-income, urban, and rural districts.

Last year BEE organized in an expansive digital equity coalition that called on city leaders to invest in greater internet connectivity, access to devices, digital skills training, and technological support necessary to close the digital divide. Our members were part of driving emergency legislation that dedicated $3 million from the Youth Fund to City Schools towards devices and internet access. We supported the demands of student group SOMOS and in 2021 Comcast agreed to double the speeds for their Internet Essentials program.

At the end of 2021, the organizing alliance began working to advance the Digital Connectivity Act in Maryland (SB0066/HB0097). BEE testified, published Op-Eds, and mobilized over 60 organizations to sign on in support. Additionally over 100 people took digital actions to advance the bill during sticking points to move it towards ultimate passage.

The Digital Connectivity Act of 2021 (SB0066) establishes the Office of Statewide Broadband and devotes capacity and funding for broadband access to all 24 Maryland jurisdictions. Increased broadband access creates new jobs, expands markets for new and existing businesses, enables access to educational opportunities and resources and facilitates delivery of health care services. As a result,  It will improve long–term quality of life for all Marylanders and ensure that the State remains economically competitive both locally and globally.

This act also collects critical data around the root causes of digital inequity. We believe that this knowledge is necessary towards creating further policy solutions which will eradicate digital inequity. The Digital Connectivity Act of 2021 is the first step in the direction of addressing the growing digital divide in Maryland.

BEE will now focus their attention towards federal level advocacy to further close the urban digital divide where they are joined in partnership by ILEE, DECC, and the Miami OA. Read more here: www.urbandigitaldivide.org

National Advocacy to Close the Urban Digital Divide

As the pandemic endured educators and students consistently struggled with logging on, staying online, and accessing homework due to low internet speeds.

BEE established a digital equity action team focused towards state and federal policy solutions to address this widespread problem.

The coalition grew to include advocates and educators from Philadelphia, Chicago, Denver, Baton Rouge, DC, and Miami.

In the fall of 2020, we solicited public comment from educators, students, and families nationwide. Individuals shared their personal stories re: slow, inconsistent internet and how it has impacted their ability to access their virtual learning on docket “20-269”.

Students and members of BEE met with FCC Commissioners in Ex-Parte meetings to uplift the stories and experiences of Baltimore City students and educators. This group mobilized to submit over 60% of the public comment on FCC Docket “20-269” on which would set a new minimum qualification for broadband speeds.

According to FCC guidelines, the current minimum broadband speed requirements are 25 Mbps download speeds and 3 Mbps upload speeds (25/3).

However, these speeds are insufficient. Students cannot rely on the minimum broadband speed to attend class online. Internet service providers are exacerbating racial and economic inequities in the United States by denying students access to high quality broadband.

BEE continues to participate in a broadbased, national coalition focused on ensuring students have the internet and support they need to successfully log on and stay online to access a 21st century education.