Education advocates to mayor: DCPS technology investments still needed to address digital divide

Two years into the pandemic, the District has made some progress on technology access, but it has yet to provide digital equity to all students and families. Long-term planning and investment are desperately needed to provide continued access to devices and tech support to prevent disruptions to learning. 

Earlier this month, a coalition of parents, educators and other education advocates — organized by Digital Equity in DC Education — sent a version of the letter below urging Mayor Muriel Bowser to commit funding for DC Public Schools technology tools and infrastructure to ensure equitable technology access for all students.

Jan. 18, 2022

Dear Mayor Bowser:

As you finalize your fiscal year 2023 budget proposal, we urge you to prioritize investment in robust technology supports and infrastructure for DC Public Schools (DCPS) to address the digital divide that continues to leave behind students, especially DC’s most vulnerable students. 

Technology learning tools, training and supports are critical to a 21st-century education and to provide flexibility during the pandemic to ensure continued learning during COVID-19 outbreaks and quarantines. While we appreciate your previous investments in DCPS technology, the school system still has not reached an equilibrium that supports regular refresh of technology and related infrastructure. Reliance on one-off, ad hoc investments is not a cost-effective way to support the school system’s long-term technology needs. To position our students for success, we ask you to commit funding in the four areas outlined below: 

1. 1:1 Student-Device Ratio and a Computer for Every Teacher. Funding is needed to provide a refresh of devices that ensures a 1:1 student-device ratio for DCPS and an up-to-date computer for every teacher. The funding level should support annual replacement of lost, damaged and out-of-date computers. In addition, we continue to encourage the use of appropriate tech devices and tools that meet student needs at every level. For example, we support a comprehensive investment in robust devices at the high school level to meet student coursework requirements for the upcoming 2022-23 school year. 
2. Staffing for IT Support and Asset Management. In a DCPS survey of school leaders during the summer of 2021, asset management was the No. 1 item identified for additional support. DCPS has invested more than $20 million in devices during the pandemic. Tech support and asset management are critical to maximizing this investment (including minimizing device loss) and providing a seamless teaching and learning experience. 
3. Digital Literacy Skills. The pandemic has accelerated the transition to digital curricula and tools in day-to-day instruction; however, knowledge and mastery of online learning platforms and tools vary widely among DCPS students, their families and school staff, contributing to increased inequities and barriers to learning. The integration of digital literacy skills-building should be adequately funded and supported across schools. Training must be responsive to student, teacher and family needs. 
4. Tech Infrastructure. DCPS has started upgrading Wi-Fi infrastructure at select schools and replacing outdated Smart Boards, but not at a pace that is adequate to address the significant backlog of outdated equipment and infrastructure. Last November, DCPS reported to the DC Council that more than 3,000 Smart Boards need to be replaced — a number significantly below its current annual refresh rate. DCPS must provide the funding to maintain and update classroom technology for all schools to prevent disruptions to instruction and learning. 

Comprehensive Technology Plan

Finally, we have yet to see a comprehensive, multiyear technology plan, as recommended by the DC auditor in 2017 and outlined in the proposed DC Public Schools Technology Equity Act of 2021, which was introduced a year ago. A public comprehensive plan — informed by parents, teachers and other stakeholders — is needed to outline how all aspects of school technology will be managed and funded. We urge you to direct DCPS to develop and publish a comprehensive technology plan by the time you submit your FY 2023 budget.

The asks we have outlined are consistent with the school system’s core value of equity and also consistent with your mission to provide a fair shot to all DC residents. We urge you to consider and act on our recommendations. 

Sincerely, 

Digital Equity in DC Education 

Co-signed by: 

Ward 2 Education Council

Ward 3-Wilson Feeder Education Network

Ward 4 Education Alliance

Ward 5 Education Equity Committee 

Ward 6 Public Schools Parent Organization

Ward 7 Education Council

Ward 8 Education Council

DC Education Coalition for Change (DECC)

DC Fiscal Policy Institute

The Village of Brookland Traditional Schools

Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs

Washington Teachers’ Union

The coalition of education advocacy groups listed above sent a version of this letter on Jan. 18 to Mayor Muriel Bowser with copies to Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn and DC Public Schools Chancellor Lewis Ferebee in support of increased planning and investment in DCPS technology. Similar letters were sent in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

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