Texas' big plan for closing the digital divide: at-home broadband internet for every student

After buying more than 4.5 million computers and hotspots for students over the last several months, Texas education officials have a new goal: making free at-home internet available to every public school student beyond the pandemic. The ambitious target, laid out in interviews and statements by education leaders, suggests Texas plans to ride momentum building across the nation to close the so-called digital divide. The issue has come into stark view as many students shifted to online-only classes when the novel coronavirus began sweeping the country last March. While many details of the state’s plans remain in the works, Texas Education Agency officials said they are building new systems, negotiating with internet service providers and starting to work with legislators to provide at-home broadband to more than 1 million students who currently lack access. State leaders hope to begin connecting some children and families as early as August.