Capitalizing on the Moment: Multiple State Digital Equity Plans Show Commitment to Partnering with the Education Sector
Under the Digital Equity Act, states developed digital equity plans that outline how they will leverage the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Digital Equity Capacity Building Grant and other resources to close the digital access divide for covered populations. As of this update (February 21, 2024), all states have published their digital equity plans.
As emphasized in a previous ED Homeroom blog, state digital equity plans have the potential to serve as a significant policy lever in accelerating digital access for learners furthest from opportunities, especially through strong partnerships between broadband and education leaders. Below, we identify eight notable state plans that commit to collaborating with the K-12, higher, and adult education sectors on various aspects of digital inclusion.
Highlights from the Florida Department of Commerce’s digital equity plan include:
- Expanding gigabit connections to community anchor institutions (CAIs) —such as schools, libraries, and institutions of higher education (IHEs) — and supporting their device refurbishment and distribution programs.
- Partnering with CAIs to expand digital literacy resources, cybersecurity courses, and digital navigator programs, including multilingual and accessible technical support.
- Increasing online accessibility of state government information and encouraging CAIs to do the same.
Highlights from the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office’s digital equity plan include:
- Developing programs for K-12 and postsecondary students to provide technical support for communities, learn how to repair and maintain devices, and access devices year-round.
- Partnering with the Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE), IHEs, and libraries to increase accessibility of government websites and provide cybersecurity resources (including by pre-loading cybersecurity protections and antivirus software on subsidized devices).
- Establishing device discount, refurbishment, and redistribution programs in affiliation with HIDOE, IHEs, libraries, and schools.
- Collaborating with HIDOE, IHEs, public schools, and libraries to conduct Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) enrollment outreach and outfit all state and county facilities with 24/7 public Wi-Fi and charging stations.
- Working with HIDOE to create digital skills programs for adolescents and adult learners.
Highlights from the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet’s digital equity plan include:
- Partnering with schools, libraries, and workforce development boards on ACP promotion, free public Wi-Fi access, hotspot loan programs, and distribution of online safety materials.
- Working with IHEs and vocational programs to refurbish devices.
- Developing digital skills resources and requirements with education partners and workforce development boards, including by incorporating them into GED curricula.
- Committing to creating a digital citizenship framework.
Highlights from Maine Connectivity Authority’s digital equity plan include:
- Working with education partners and CAIs to serve as “Connectivity Hubs” with public access to internet, devices, and digital skills programming.
- Funding schools, libraries, and adult education programs’ access to devices, digital skills training, and technical support.
- Distributing resources for schools and career centers on internet safety education.
Highlights from the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion’s digital equity plan include:
- Further developing the New Mexico Statewide Education Network to support extension of high-speed connectivity to schools.
- Collaborating with workforce agencies, IHEs, labor organizations, and the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) to expand access to devices, digital skills training (e.g., through community learning opportunities), and technical support.
- Developing and communicating accessibility guidance to state, tribal, and local agencies and organizations, including best practices for website design and maintenance.
- Increasing opportunities to learn about online safety and privacy practices in partnership with workforce agencies, IHEs, labor organizations, and NMPED.
Highlights from North Carolina Department of Information Technology’s digital equity plan include:
- Partnering with North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI), IHEs, workforce partners, libraries, and schools to integrate cybersecurity and privacy training into curricula implemented by digital navigators.
- Developing digital skills standards — including digital health literacy, cybersecurity, and privacy standards — in partnership with DPI, IHEs and libraries.
- Working with schools, IHEs, CAIs, and workforce development agencies to expand internet access, including through free public Wi-Fi locations.
- Partnering with schools to engage students and families in digital literacy programs.
Highlights from the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation and ConnectRI Initiative's digital equity plan include:
- Partnering with career and technical education (CTE) programs, IHEs, Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training, and workforce agencies to provide devices, refurbishment services, and technical support.
- Collaborating with adult education providers, CAIs, labor organizations, IHEs, libraries, schools, workforce agencies, and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) to invest in digital inclusion services and skill building pathways for employment, education, and entrepreneurship.
- Providing technical assistance for digital skills integration into workforce training, education, and small business support.
- Working with adult education providers, CAIs, labor organizations, IHEs, libraries, schools, workforce agencies, and RIDE, to develop a process for covered populations to submit feedback to improve accessibility of online public resources.
- Working with adult education providers, CAIs, labor organizations, IHEs, libraries, schools, workforce agencies, and RIDE to incorporate online privacy and cybersecurity skill-building into digital inclusion services.
Highlights from the Washington State Department of Commerce’s digital equity plan include:
- Partnering with libraries, schools, and other CAIs to expand public Wi-Fi access, promote ACP enrollment, and bolster hotspot and device lending programs.
- Collaborating with counties, schools, libraries, and IHEs to develop a statewide device recycling and upcycling program.
- Funding libraries, community and technical colleges, workforce boards, and other educational institutions to build workforce-ready digital skills and embed a digital navigator curriculum into relevant programs.
- Working with the Washington State Board of Education to explore new ways of engaging students and families with digital literacy services.
All states have concluded their 30-day public comment periods, and Maine recently became the first state to have its digital equity plan approved by NTIA. Leaders and advocates can find out about their state’s digital equity leadership and NTIA federal programs officer, as well as their contact information, on this page to stay up to speed on how the education sector can contribute to upcoming statewide efforts.
For more information, education leaders can join the Office of Educational Technology’s webinar and workshop series over the coming weeks to learn about how the adult and K-12 education sector can serve as effective digital inclusion partners.
