'Homework gap' shows millions of kids lack home internet

[TexasTowelie]

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — With no computer or internet at home, Raegan Byrd's homework assignments present a nightly challenge: How much can she get done using just her smartphone?

On the tiny screen, she switches between web pages for research projects, losing track of tabs whenever friends send messages. She uses her thumbs to tap out school papers, but when glitches keep her from submitting assignments electronically, she writes them out by hand.

"At least I have something, instead of nothing, to explain the situation," said Raegan, a high school senior in Hartford.

She is among nearly 3 million students around the country who face struggles keeping up with their studies because they must make do without home internet. In classrooms, access to laptops and the internet is nearly universal. But at home, the cost of internet service and gaps in its availability create obstacles in urban areas and rural communities alike.

Read more: http://www.news-gazette.com/news/2019-06-10/homework-gap-shows-millions-kids-lack-home-internet.html
(Champaign News-Gazette)

[msongs]

1. students did homework for thousands of yrs before the internet nt

[WheelWalker]

2. Not these students.

I think the point is, whether it's fair...? if there is a level playing field?

[elleng]

3. Never has been, likely never will be.

'Haves' don't give in or give up what's 'theirs.'

[House of Roberts]

4. Thousands of years? Maybe decades.

Better off homes had encyclopedias, making the wealth gap real then too.

[CRK7376]

6. That's true but

it's harder now when the schools don't buy any textbooks. The most recent US History textbook I have in my classroom was published and purchased by our school in 2008. And we are a Title 1 school, where if we are lucky, 50% of the kids have internet on any given day. Many of our kids lose their internet at home because the bill wasn't paid and/or they don't have a computer. My school issued over 600 laptops wiping out our school two weeks ago when school cancelled until May15th due to COVID-19. Until classes resume we are trying to teach to our kids through e-learning. I hate it, but I'm not much of a tech type and would much rather see faces and bodies in the classroom. We do our best with what we have virus or not.

[CRK7376]

7. As a high school teacher I give very little homework

knowing that most of it will not be attempted or completed. My classroom assignments roll into homework and if I'm lucky, most of my kids will turn it in.

[marble falls]

9. Hmmmmm .....

[The Polack MSgt]

10. IKR