Topic: Digital Divide

Mediacom’s Connect2Compete Keeps Waterloo Students Connected

As the COVID-19 pandemic forced a nationwide shift to distance learning, schools and internet service providers quickly mobilized to close the gaps for students without a home internet connection. In Iowa, a collaboration between Mediacom Communications and Waterloo Community Schools allowed K-12 education to continue. “Waterloo is a very diverse community in terms of both ethnicity and socioeconomic status.” says Matt O’Brien, executive director of technology for Waterloo Community Schools. “With the move to distance learning, we absolutely didn’t want internet access to be a barrier.” By

Cox Doubles Down on Commitment to Connect Students

To check the latest findings on nationwide broadband network performance during the pandemic, go to the NCTA COVID-19 dashboard. The cable industry has long been committed to closing the digital divide through its numerous broadband adoption programs, community initiatives, and school partnerships. But as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, America's broadband leaders have doubled-down on this commitment to address the education crisis that the country is facing right now. With many schools still either closed or in a hybrid learning mode, cable operators have been stepping up since March to

Comcast and Chicago Public Schools Team Up to Enable Distance Learning

As schools across the country dive head-first into distance learning and attempt to resolve digital equity issues, districts can find a great model in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and its unique public-private partnership with Comcast. This past summer, Comcast, along with multiple stakeholders, worked with CPS to launch Chicago Connected, a digital equity initiative whose goal is to provide broadband internet at no cost over the course of four years to as many as 100,000 eligible students. The initiative is part of a nationwide effort, K-12 Bridge to Broadband, which provides a path for

Cable ISPs and Schools Come Together in New Broadband Connectivity Effort

"Back to school" time has looked very different this year as millions of kids started K-12 classes this week virtually instead of in the classroom. With many schools still closed for in-person learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, America's cable internet service providers have been working in their communities, developing partnerships with school districts across the country that are focused on figuring out which students lack a home broadband connection, and getting service to those kids within reach in order to assist in enabling online instruction. As part of this effort to close this gap

Comcast and Lone Star College Partner to Connect Students to Digital Learning

Prior to COVID-19, many colleges and schools were already aware of the digital divide among their student populations. This is why Quentin Wright, President of Lone Star College-Houston North in Texas, always took measures to ensure that classes prioritized face-to-face learning. Not to mention, a technology survey had found that many students in his service area did not have a computer at home or access to a broadband connection. But then came the pandemic. "When March hit, it changed our world tremendously," said Wright. Wright and the college administration had to completely shift direction

A College Student's Account on Learning Remotely in the Time of COVID

When the pandemic forced schools and universities to close across the country this past spring, many turned to distance learning in order to salvage the remainder of the semester for students. NCTA members worked with school districts and colleges across their footprints to help get as many students as possible connected, and teachers and students alike had to adapt to this new learning experience. And while there is no substitute for the benefits that come from in-person learning in schools, there is no denying that a high-speed broadband connection can open up opportunities for students to

Supporting Education During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed just about every aspect of our daily lives and the upcoming school year is no exception as many schools will remain closed throughout the fall. The school closures mean that millions of students will remain at home and begin round two of online learning which first kicked off last spring as the pandemic set in. As teachers and school administrators have been preparing throughout the summer for the continuation of virtual education, America's cable broadband providers have also worked hard to ensure that their networks are meeting the increased surge in online

How Mediacom and Des Moines Public Schools Are Closing the Opportunity Gap

As the school year starts to draw to a close, students and teachers are preparing for the possibility that distance education is here to stay for the foreseeable future. This comes on the heels of the rapid transition to online learning for millions of students around the country. To make sure those students don’t fall behind, America’s broadband leaders have extended their offerings to low-income students through the Keep Americans Connected Pledge, as well as through community programs, including public–private partnerships such as the one between Mediacom and Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS

Supporting America's Schools During COVID-19

Teacher Appreciation Week has looked very different this year with school closures and students isolated at home with their families due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a lot of cases, kids are receiving classroom online instruction in order to close out their school year. Teachers and schools have gone to great lengths to continue the learning process for millions of students across the country through virtual means, and America's broadband leaders are working on the backend to not only ensure that their networks are meeting their demands, but to give access to those underserved households and