From the blog: "California’s digital divide created problems for many students during remote instruction last spring—and it continues to impede student learning this fall. Since the onset of the pandemic, the state has invested in a patchwork of efforts to address disparities and mitigate learning loss. These investments have helped improve student access to digital devices at home, but internet access remains a formidable challenge for many families. There is still a long way to go to ensure that all students—especially low-income, African American, and Latino students—can fully participate in distance learning. It is imperative that state and local policymakers find a remedy to guarantee adequate internet access for all students learning remotely. Direct subsidies to low-income families and expanding available wi-fi hotspots would help address some of the need. Additional federal support and funding beyond the CARES Act will also be critical to ensure the necessary conditions for student learning during these extraordinary circumstances."