IRVINGTON - Gov. Phil Murphy Thursday announced $54 million in aid for schools to close the digital divide that has left more than 230,000 students without proper internet access for remote learning sparked by the coronavirus pandemic.
The governor also urged private individuals and corporate entities to step up and donate for the need that he estimates will cost $115 million to rectify.
“One thing the 2019-2020 school year taught us is just how resilient and innovative our students and educators can be, particularly in times of crisis,” Murphy said during the announcement at Madison Avenue School in Irvington. “By taking these steps to close the digital divide and equip students in need with personal device access and internet connectivity, we can ensure that students continue to succeed in these unprecedented times.”
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The first portion of funding will be a state Department of Education $10 million formula grant using a portion of the state’s federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds.
That funding will be disbursed to public school districts to purchase digital devices and internet connectivity for one-to-one student use based on need and the availability of philanthropic donations. Districts will be required to submit an application to state Education Department, which will be released next week, and demonstrate a plan for appropriate use of funds.
After that is spent, the administration will redirect up to $44 million in Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) funds to “close any remaining gap and fill the unmet digital device and internet connectivity needs of New Jersey students.” There also will be another $6 million available for nonpublic schools.
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority also set up a request for information, seeking private donation plans that can be submitted until July 31.
“Last month, the DOE released guidance to assist schools in preparing for the upcoming school year and establishing a learning model that includes the possibility of employing both remote and in-person learning, meaning that students will need continued access to the internet and digital devices,” the governor's office said in a news release.
“After considering other available district funding sources and estimating need based on June 2020 survey data and low-income enrollment data, the DOE estimates that the cost to close the digital divide is approximately $54 million,” the release continued.
“The digital divide leaves too many students in need at a severe disadvantage in gaining equal opportunities in education and much more needs to be done,” state Senate President Steve Sweeney said at the event. “Reading, writing and arithmetic are not enough without a laptop. The coronavirus and resulting school shutdowns have exposed how punishing this divide is for students who just can’t afford computers and other modern technologies that are considered a basic supply in most communities. Let’s take advantage of the lessons we are learning from this crisis to help close the divide and give our students the technological supplies they need.”
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“In March, schools throughout New Jersey did an extraordinary job of shifting instruction for their entire student population to a system of remote learning,” said Kevin Dehmer, the state's interim education commissioner. “However, it also became clear that we need to address the digital divide among the students who lack access to technology. Our plan will help put structures in place to help districts focus on families with the greatest need.”
On June 26, Murphy issued initial guidelines for returning to school in the fall, which left many things up to local districts but required in-class options be included. However, it is clear many districts will rely on virtual learning for part of each student's curriculum.
Those guidelines include the following:
- Social distancing must be practiced in classrooms and on buses. If students can't be seated 6 feet apart, barriers should be installed between desks or desks should all face one direction.
- Face coverings are required for teachers, other staff and visitors (unless they have a medical reason not to). Students are strongly encouraged to wear masks and must wear them if they can't distance.
- Screening policies must be adopted by districts to detect if students and staff have symptoms or have been exposed to the novel coronavirus.
- If districts continue to use shared cafeterias, meal times must be staggered to allow for social distancing and cleaning between groups of students. Districts must stop self-service or buffet style lunches, opting instead for grab-and-go meals, for example.
- Recess must be staggered and schools should consider closing locker rooms, but physical education classes may continue.
State officials recently revealed that, despite progress during the coronavirus lockdown, about 89,000 students across New Jersey were home without learning devices or internet access in June.
In April, the Department of Education surveyed districts about technology needs and found almost 111,000 students could not access the internet at home, including about 7,400 students in Passaic County and 3,200 in Bergen County. Essex and Mercer had the largest numbers of students without access — 17,900 and 13,100, respectively.
By late April, after a flurry of laptop-buying and other efforts, the state total had dropped to 98,424 students.
Yet by early June, progress had stalled. About 89,000 students statewide — or over 6% of students — still didn't have technology to allow remote learning, then- Education Commissioner Lamont Repollet said at a Senate hearing last month.
Many local districts were waiting for funding from the CARES Act to buy technology, with checks expected to begin arriving earlier this month, Repollet said. About $310 million is headed to New Jersey to aid education needs, and of that, 90% must go directly to districts, department spokesman Michael Yaple said in an email.
The state will use part of the remaining 10% on grants for schools to invest in computer devices and internet connectivity, Yaple said.
Repollet said he expected 90% of districts to provide learning devices for each student by September.
Some districts say they have decided to use CARES funding so every child will be equipped with a computer in the fall. School officials say it’s crucial since they may have to continue remote learning, at least part time, due to the continuing coronavirus threat.
Joe Strupp is an award-winning journalist with 30 years’ experience who covers education and Monmouth County for APP.com and the Asbury Park Press. He is also the author of two books, including "Killing Journalism" on the state of the news media, and an adjunct media professor at Rutgers University and Fairleigh Dickinson University. Reach him at jstrupp@gannettnj.com and at 732-413-3840. Follow him on Twitter at @joestrupp
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