Should school districts provide computers and WiFi for at home learning?

MonkeySeeMonkeyDo
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There’s a debate going on in a local Facebook group because one of the school districts around here has said that since parents have the option to do remote learning OR in person learning it’s up to the parents to provide computers and WiFi.

There are several people that feel that the school should provide the computers and WiFi period.

Of course then there are others that agree with the school that since in person learning is an option they will not be providing WiFi and computers for students to take home.

So what’s your opinion on it?
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Many schools already do. Perhaps districts should provide computers for students who cannot afford their own until we are back on track for in person learning.
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EarlGrayHot wrote: Thu Aug 06, 2020 8:19 am Many schools already do. Perhaps districts should provide computers for students who cannot afford their own until we are back on track for in person learning.
Some school districts in the area do, Houston Isd does. But this is a smaller suburb and they just don’t have the money for it.
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Yes, the schools should provide computers and WiFi to students who opt for remote learning.
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The local cable company offers free internet to
Low income families.

The school district also gave those same students and EVERY high school senior a chrome book last year.

With that said, if the district has the resources to do so then they should help those who don’t, but as a whole I don’t feel it’s a viable option.
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carterscutie85
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Ours does. They lend you a Chromebook if you don't have a computer. There's some sort of Wi-Fi you can get too.

I think it should be like that everywhere because the sad reality is there are many children who have parents that just don't care enough to provide those things. The school I went to from 4th-6th grade was like that. No one came prepared, it was on the teachers to supply everything.
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If the money isn't there, it isn't there. School budgets can be painfully finite. Since in person learning is offered, there is an option if a child doesn't have a computer or wifi. However these days wifi is often discounted by local cable companies for people with low income - in our area its 10 dollars a month.
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stilltfez
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Most districts provide tablets for the children at the beginning of the school (ex: grade school, middle school, HS) and many areas offer wifi for free or lower costs.
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highlandmum
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Our high school students get a Chromebook to use from grade 9 to grade 12. However is should not be the schools responsibility to provide WiFi for students. WiFi is not a one solution fits all and it could be a logistical nightmare to ensure students receive it. We have rural areas around us that can only use Mobile Satellite internet, others have DSL, others are on Fiber Optic. How would school also control who uses the internet, it could potentially be used by everyone in the household.
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highlandmum wrote: Thu Aug 06, 2020 8:53 am Our high school students get a Chromebook to use from grade 9 to grade 12. However is should not be the schools responsibility to provide WiFi for students. WiFi is not a one solution fits all and it could be a logistical nightmare to ensure students receive it. We have rural areas around us that can only use Mobile Satellite internet, others have DSL, others are on Fiber Optic. How would school also control who uses the internet, it could potentially be used by everyone in the household.
We received a letter from our Catholic school board. Our region is a "designated" school board, so it looks like our youngest will be back full time and our oldest as well but with a classroom with half the kids. For remote learning, the school board here is not providing Chromebooks, but has partnered with Staples so they can be purchased cheaper.

In some of the low income areas here, households without internet access is upward to 20 percent. This creates a problem. Also, theft of the Chromebooks was brought up as a potential problem.
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