FCC Chair, Kansas Governor And Khan Academy Founder Wrestle With Federal Role In Closing The Homework Gap During Coronavirus Crisis

FCC Chair, Kansas Governor and Khan Academy Founder Wrestle With Federal Role in Closing the Homework Gap During Coronavirus Crisis

The problem of the homework gap, which refers to the lack of internet access preventing some students from completing their assignments online, has become more urgent than ever before. This issue has been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, where approximately 55 million students are now having to learn from home.

Axios, a news site, recently conducted a series of quick-fire virtual interviews with influential figures to discuss how the digital divide has been exacerbated by the pandemic. The interviews included FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, and Sal Khan, the founder and CEO of Khan Academy.

During the livestreamed event, Jim VandeHei, co-founder of Axios, emphasized that online education is not the same as physically attending school. He expressed concern for the students who lack the necessary technology, as they may potentially miss out on an entire year of education. VandeHei highlighted the fact that there are still many rural and inner-city communities in America that do not have access to reliable internet connectivity.

According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 15% of American households with school-aged children do not have access to high-speed internet. This issue disproportionately affects low-income, black, and Hispanic children. Those living in low-income households are about five times more likely to lack access to high-speed internet compared to their counterparts in middle-income homes.

The interviews were conducted by Kim Hart, who specializes in covering cities and technology for Axios. The event was sponsored by the Walton Family Foundation. Here are some key points from the discussions.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai has faced mounting pressure from members of Congress and education leaders, including former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, to address the barriers preventing low-income families from accessing the internet. Duncan criticized the lack of action from the administration in an op-ed and called on Pai and the FCC to genuinely prioritize the connectivity of all Americans.

Although the FCC has taken some steps, such as encouraging broadband providers to sign the Keep Americans Connected Pledge, advocates are urging the commission to take further action. Education advocates and school leaders argue that Pai should update the pledge to include the waiving of families’ prior debts, which currently prevent some of the country’s poorest students from accessing free Wi-Fi programs. A petition demanding this change has garnered over 13,000 signatures.

Pai has also been urged to allow schools and libraries to utilize the billions of dollars already allocated through the FCC’s E-rate program to purchase Wi-Fi hotspots and devices for families without internet access. When asked to grade the FCC on its progress in closing the digital divide, Pai defended the commission, claiming that significant progress had been made in the past three years. However, he made no mention of waiving low-income families’ prior debts or opening up the E-Rate money, despite leaders arguing that he has the authority to do so.

Governor Laura Kelly of Kansas has long prioritized education throughout her career. As a state senator for 14 years, she fought to restore funding for public education in the state. Under her tenure as governor, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that school funding had finally reached constitutionally required levels.

It is clear that the homework gap and the broader issue of the digital divide have become even more critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. Steps must be taken to ensure that all students have equal access to education and the necessary technology for remote learning.

"We utilized all available resources," she stated regarding the federal contribution. "This is an approach we will incorporate into our future broadband strategy. However, we have also received tremendous support from our partners."

Kelly was the first governor in the nation to make the decision to close schools for the remainder of the academic year, a choice that initially sparked some controversy. However, she believes that this early action bought her valuable time to consult with educators and establish a united front within her leadership team. At the time, schools were in the middle of their spring break.

Following an additional week of vacation, Kelly organized a virtual meeting with 40 teachers, administrators, and counselors to develop a detailed plan. The decision to keep school buildings closed for the remainder of the year also alleviated concerns for families about future uncertainties. She explained, "Our intention was to provide parents, children, and teachers with certainty regarding the upcoming developments."

When it came to planning the necessary support for families while their children were away from school, Kelly and her team approached the situation holistically. They took actions to assist families not only with their children’s academics but also with vital needs such as childcare, especially for frontline workers, and access to food. The state secured a waiver from the Department of Agriculture, allowing them to extend the school nutrition program to provide meals for children ages 1 to 18, regardless of their eligibility for free or reduced-price lunches.

Just like other states, Kansas is facing significant budget shortfalls, with revenue estimates projecting a $1 billion deficit over the next two fiscal years, according to Kelly. Although she hasn’t ruled out potential cuts to state programs, she is hopeful that the federal government will provide assistance. She commented, "We anticipate that the federal government will offer a stimulus package for state and local governments, and we are eagerly waiting to see the details. This could help mitigate some of the budget shortfalls we are currently experiencing. I will work tirelessly to ensure that our schools remain funded. Education is an essential service, and I will do everything in my power to ensure that they have the necessary resources to continue serving our students."

When asked if Kansas schools would reopen in the fall, Kelly told Axios that it is too early to make that call. One factor influencing her decision is the anticipation of a potential second wave of the coronavirus coinciding with that timeframe. She explained, "We will engage in dual planning, preparing for both the possibility of reopening and the potential for schools to remain closed."

Sal Khan founded Khan Academy in 2008 when the lessons he created to tutor his cousins started attracting attention. This nonprofit organization provides free online lessons and quizzes, with a particular focus on math, an area where American students often struggle.

Since the start of the pandemic, Khan Academy has experienced a threefold increase in users, prompting Khan to release additional resources to assist them. This includes creating specific schedules for students of different age groups to ensure a well-rounded day, incorporating not only academics but also physical exercise and playtime.

The schedules were well-received, leading to requests from parents and teachers for more. As a response, Khan released week-by-week math learning plans from third grade to Algebra II, available for free.

While Khan acknowledged the importance of internet connectivity in his Axios interview, stating, "For Khan Academy to fulfill its purpose, online access is essential. That is the first step," he, like Kelly, did not solely rely on the federal government to provide this access. Instead, he praised the efforts of districts and telecommunication companies that have distributed laptops and expanded broadband access to support students.

Khan emphasized the findings of a recent study conducted by his partner, the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA), which revealed significant negative impacts on students due to school closures during the coronavirus outbreak, especially in math. The study suggests that when students return to school next fall, they are likely to retain approximately 70 percent of their reading progress from this year, compared to a typical school year, but less than 50 percent of their math progress.

Researchers are urgently advising schools to start planning for a steep decline, known as the ‘COVID Slide,’ in student performance next year.

"If you can at least prioritize the fundamental subjects like mathematics, reading, and writing, that would be a good beginning," he stated. "After that, you can build upon that foundation by adding more."

Please note that The Walton Family Foundation offers financial assistance to .

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