Management

Without Supplemental Pandemic Funding, Digital Divide Risks Increase

As K–12 districts spend down COVID-19 funds, schools will need long-term solutions.

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As Editor in Chief, Ryan works on developing editorial strategy and is always on the lookout for new writing talent and sharing great stories with the IT world. In his spare time, Ryan enjoys spending time with his family, biking and obsessively following Iowa Hawkeye sports and Cubs baseball.

If the COVID-19 pandemic taught us anything, it's that many of our schools were woefully behind when it came to providing students with a 21st century education. Lockdowns revealed that districts were stuck in a 19th century framework, resulting in deep digital divides and leaving some students struggling to complete school assignments outside of the classroom.

Bringing today’s K–12 learning environments up to speed requires adequate, long-term funding. The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund proved to be a first step (and a game changer) for many schools. Over the past three years, $190 billion in federal funding allowed schools to make desperately needed upgrades. Although districts have until September 2024 to spend the last round of emergency aid, they have already seen big impacts, which means state and federal support beyond the pandemic remain critical.

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To learn how schools are modernizing their classrooms and infrastructure while addressing funding challenges, check out the stories listed below from the Spring 2023 issue of the magazine. For a preview of what's inside this issue, watch this short video with EdTech: Focus on K–12's managing editor, Taashi Rowe.