Limited Internet Access Continues Driving Pandemic Digital Divide for Students and Families

Published in partnership with the USC Price Center for Social Innovation in support of the Neighborhood Data for Social Change platform (NDSC): The platform is a free, publicly available online data resource that provides reliable, aggregated data at the city, neighborhood, and census tract level. The mission of the USC Price Center for Social Innovation is to develop ideas and illuminate strategies to improve the quality of life for people in low-income urban communities.

When the COVID-19 outbreak began in Los Angeles in March 2020, county leadership was quick to roll out several measures to stem the spread of the virus, including the closure of public schools. In April 2020, the Neighborhood Data for Social Change (NDSC) platform released a data story discussing the recent school closures and efforts by the Los Angeles School District (LAUSD), KCET and the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) to coordinate remote learning for students of all ages across the county. Now, several months into the pandemic, this story examines the challenges families face with remote learning. We partnered with SOLA Impact, a community development organization located in South Los Angeles, to better understand how they are working to address those challenges.

Though initially announced as a two-week shutdown, all-remote learning for LAUSD schools has remained in place to date. L.A. County’s swift response stands in contrast to other states’ and countries’ efforts to “flatten the curve,” including those in some European countries which have favored keeping classrooms open and instead temporarily closing restaurants and bars. Cities such as New York have made efforts to keep the public school system in-person, implementing temporary closures only when case positivity rates reach a certain point.

Disparities in Internet Quality

After the closure of public schools in L.A. County, many expressed concerns that students would have differing access to resources depending on geography, immigrant status and socioeconomic factors, among other issues. Further, critics publicly questioned whether certain students would lack the technological capabilities necessary to complete homework, including reliable internet connectivity. To address this technological gap, LAUSD distributed laptops and tablets to students in need and worked with internet companies to provide free access to hotspots and waive monthly fees.

Despite the considerable effort to mitigate internet connectivity issues for LAUSD students, there is still an increased need for internet service than what was initially reported. In addition, the shift brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic towards working and learning remotely has put a huge strain on digital infrastructure, especially in already underserved neighborhoods. For example, LAUSD has been working with Verizon to provide unlimited internet access to LAUSD students. However, Verizon has low coverage in certain neighborhoods, including South L.A., such that cellphone-dependent hotspots in the area have been overextended and unable to meet the needs of distance learning.

Other factors also contribute to this digital divide. For example, remote learning relies in part on parents serving as their children’s educators and responding to other student needs that emerge from distance learning. This is challenging for many families, especially those from low-income backgrounds, as many parents may be required to continue working outside the home. Some parents also have language barriers and/or may not have the technological proficiency to help with technical issues that are a byproduct of remote learning. Additionally, in low-income neighborhoods where overcrowded housing is common, digital infrastructure is especially strained and many school-aged children have struggled to find the space for uninterrupted instruction. A report from the USC Rossier School of Education and the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism found that only one in three families surveyed said they had a place free of distraction for remote learning.

Overview of SoLa Impact

SoLa Impact is a family of social impact funds targeting the refurbishment and development of high-quality, affordable housing throughout South Los Angeles. SoLa Impact is rooted in three social impact priorities: 1) a housing-first approach to solving homelessness through new ground-up development; 2) catalyzing local economic development through the nation’s first Opportunity Zone business campus called the Beehive; 3) opening access to technology education and career opportunities for youth in South L.A. As a way to open new tech pathways, SoLa Impact is building South L.A.’s first Technology and Entrepreneurship Center to help teach and inspire the next generation of tech workers and entrepreneurs from South Los Angeles. SoLa Impact is proud to be the largest private landlord of Section 8 housing in the City of L.A. and was named the seventh fastest-growing minority-led company in the U.S. by INC. in 2020. In December 2020, SoLa Impact launched the Black Impact Fund, a $1 billion fund aimed at opening new access to high-quality, affordable housing and economic opportunity in Black and Brown communities around the country.

Due to COVID-19, many of SoLa Impact’s low-income tenant families continue to struggle to secure and pay for high-quality internet access to support remote learning. A survey of their residents found that 21% of households did not have broadband internet service, and 44% lacked adequate internet access to meet the needs of remote learning due to poor quality and speed. Seventy-six percent of households reported they required assistance to pay their internet bill, and 40% said their child’s current device did not meet the needs for their classes. Additionally, half of households reported that they do not have a workable laptop.

SoLa resident data was collected from a phone interview conducted on 125 households in late September 2020 to survey the access to internet and technology resources in South L.A.

In response to the urgent demonstrated need for better tools and connectivity in South L.A., SoLa Impact has partnered with companies like T-Mobile, AT&T, the Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Kings, Comp-U-Dopt, human-I-T and Wells Fargo to provide free internet access and laptops to low-income families. Almost 200 laptops and Chromebooks have been distributed to families. Their recently launched initiative called the “1000 for 1000” initiative will provide 1000 families with free internet for 1000 days. Four hundred twenty-five families have already been approved to receive T-Mobile hotspots that provide high-speed internet without data limits and are free of charge for almost three years.

Conclusion

Even months after schools were closed, access to adequate technology continues to pose a significant barrier for many students. Without sufficient connectivity and devices that meet the needs of distance learning, students may struggle to stay connected to their schools and their assignments, facing academic hardship. SoLa Impact’s partnerships with T-Mobile and AT&T aim to provide families with the necessary learning tools in order to achieve better learning outcomes and shrink the digital divide. For more information on how to apply for free internet, click here or email getwifi@solaican.org.

Sources

Aguilar, S. J.; Galperin, H.; Baek, C.; Gonzalez, E. (Oct. 14,2020). "When school comes home: How low-income families are adapting to distance learning."
Esquivel, P., Blume, H. (Sept. 15, 2020). "Tens of thousands of L.A.-area students still need computers or Wi-Fi 6 months into pandemic."
Onishi, N.; Méheut, C.; Francini, A. (Nov. 30, 2020). "Positive Test Rate of 11 Percent? France's Schools Remain Open."
Shapiro, E. (Nov. 18, 2020). "New York City to Close Public Schools Again as Virus Cases Rise."