Most_DT0 parents_NN2 of_PRF school-age_AJ0 children_NN2 are_VBB able_AJ0 to_TO0 send_VVI their_DPS kids_NN2 off_AVP to_PRP school_NN1 each_DT0 morning_NN1 with_PRP backpacks_NN2 ,_PUN books_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC pencils_NN2 ._SENT But_CJC for_PRP many_DT0 of_PRF them_PNP ,_PUN there_EX0 's_VBZ a_AT0 gap_NN1 they_PNP just_AV0 ca_VM0 n't_XX0 bridge_VVI on_PRP their_DPS own_DT0 :_PUN the_AT0 digital_AJ0 divide_NN1 ._SENT Roughly_AV0 17_CRD million_CRD students_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 U.S._NP0 either_AV0 do_VDB n't_XX0 have_VHI a_AT0 web-enabled_AJ0 device_NN1 or_CJC lack_NN1 internet_NN1 access_NN1 ,_PUN making_VVG it_PNP difficult_AJ0 ,_PUN if_CJS not_XX0 impossible_AJ0 ,_PUN to_TO0 complete_VVI online_AJ0 schoolwork_NN1 ._SENT 
Leaving_VVG children_NN2 stranded_VVN on_PRP the_AT0 wrong_AJ0 side_NN1 of_PRF this_DT0 chasm_NN1 puts_VVZ them_PNP at_PRP a_AT0 disadvantage_NN1 now_AV0 and_CJC could_VM0 create_VVI social_AJ0 strains_NN2 and_CJC professional_AJ0 challenges_NN2 years_NN2 down_PRP the_AT0 road_NN1 ._SENT To_TO0 help_VVI parents_NN2 and_CJC students_NN2 close_VVB this_DT0 gap_NN1 ,_PUN AT_PRP &_NN1 T_ZZ0 ,_PUN along_AVP with_PRP other_AJ0 companies_NN2 ,_PUN governments_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC municipalities_NN2 ,_PUN is_VBZ expanding_VVG access_NN1 to_PRP technology_NN1 and_CJC reducing_VVG the_AT0 cost_NN1 of_PRF technology_NN1 among_PRP underserved_AJ0 communities_NN2 ._SENT 
A_AT0 gap_NN1 widened_VVN by_PRP a_AT0 pandemic_AJ0 
When_CJS the_AT0 pandemic_AJ0 shut_VVB down_AVP schools_NN2 ,_PUN educators_NN2 adapted_VVN ._SENT Online_AJ0 videoconferencing_NN1 ,_PUN digital_AJ0 libraries_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC other_AJ0 online_AJ0 platforms_NN2 were_VBD implemented_VVN to_TO0 replace_VVI the_AT0 in-person_AJ0 learning_NN1 experience_NN1 ._SENT But_CJC not_XX0 all_DT0 kids_NN2 could_VM0 log_VVI on_AVP ._SENT Some_DT0 families_NN2 ca_VM0 n't_XX0 afford_VVI the_AT0 cost_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 laptop_NN1 or_CJC high-speed_AJ0 internet_NN1 ._SENT Others_NN2 live_VVB in_PRP areas_NN2 that_CJT do_VDB n't_XX0 have_VHI a_AT0 broadband_AJ0 infrastructure_NN1 ._SENT 
According_VVG to_PRP the_AT0 National_AJ0 Education_NN1 Association_NN1 ,_PUN Black_AJ0 ,_PUN Hispanic_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC Native_AJ0 American_AJ0 students_NN2 ,_PUN as_CJS well_AV0 as_CJS those_DT0 who_PNQ live_VVB in_PRP rural_AJ0 areas_NN2 ,_PUN are_VBB less_AV0 likely_AJ0 to_TO0 have_VHI reliable_AJ0 internet_NN1 access_NN1 ._SENT With_PRP no_AT0 internet_NN1 at_PRP home_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC with_PRP libraries_NN2 and_CJC community_NN1 centers_NN2 closed_VVN ,_PUN some_DT0 students_NN2 turned_VVN to_PRP smartphones_NN2 ,_PUN but_CJC the_AT0 devices_NN2 can_VM0 be_VBI difficult_AJ0 to_TO0 use_VVI to_PRP complete_AJ0 schoolwork_NN1 ._SENT And_CJC even_AV0 as_CJS students_NN2 return_VVB to_PRP the_AT0 classroom_NN1 ,_PUN those_DT0 without_PRP devices_NN2 or_CJC broadband_AJ0 access_NN1 are_VBB still_AV0 at_PRP a_AT0 disadvantage_NN1 ._SENT 
According_VVG to_PRP new_AJ0 research_NN1 conducted_VVN by_PRP Morning_NN1 Consult_VVB on_PRP behalf_NN1 of_PRF AT_PRP &_NN1 T_ZZ0 ,_PUN 70_CRD %_NN0 of_PRF parents_NN2 and_CJC teachers_NN2 said_VVD their_DPS children_NN2 or_CJC students_NN2 were_VBD affected_VVN by_PRP the_AT0 homework_NN1 gap_NN1 due_AJ0 to_PRP a_AT0 lack_NN1 of_PRF technology_NN1 ._SENT To_TO0 cope_VVI ,_PUN children_NN2 use_VVB mobile_AJ0 devices_NN2 (_PUL 35_CRD %_NN0 )_PUR or_CJC go_VVB to_PRP a_AT0 friend_NN1 or_CJC family_NN1 member_NN1 's_POS house_NN1 to_PRP complete_AJ0 assignments_NN2 (_PUL 17_CRD %_NN0 )_PUR ._SENT Pew_NN1 Research_NN1 echoes_VVZ these_DT0 findings_NN2 ,_PUN with_PRP one-third_CRD of_PRF parents_NN2 saying_VVG it_PNP is_VBZ at_PRP least_AV0 somewhat_AV0 likely_AJ0 that_CJT their_DPS children_NN2 cannot_VVB complete_AJ0 schoolwork_NN1 because_CJS they_PNP ca_VM0 n't_XX0 access_VVI a_AT0 computer_NN1 at_PRP home_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 need_NN1 for_PRP collaboration_NN1 
The_AT0 solution_NN1 to_PRP this_DT0 problem_NN1 is_VBZ complex_AJ0 ,_PUN says_VVZ Jeff_NP0 McElfresh_NP0 ,_PUN CEO_NN1 of_PRF AT_PRP &_NN1 T_ZZ0 Communications_NN2 ._SENT He_PNP likens_VVZ it_PNP to_PRP a_AT0 three-legged_AJ0 stool_NN1 ,_PUN where_AVQ all_DT0 three_CRD legs_NN2 are_VBB critical_AJ0 for_PRP balance_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 first_ORD leg_NN1 is_VBZ building_VVG broadband_AJ0 networks_NN2 ,_PUN which_DTQ includes_VVZ both_DT0 wireless_NN1 and_CJC wireline_NN1 networks_NN2 ,_PUN he_PNP says_VVZ ._SENT The_AT0 second_NN1 is_VBZ making_VVG sure_AJ0 connections_NN2 are_VBB affordable_AJ0 for_PRP underserved_AJ0 populations_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 third_ORD is_VBZ promoting_VVG digital_AJ0 literacy_NN1 —_PUN helping_VVG to_TO0 ensure_VVI educators_NN2 ,_PUN as_CJS well_AV0 as_CJS students_NN2 ,_PUN their_DPS parents_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC their_DPS communities_NN2 ,_PUN are_VBB comfortable_AJ0 using_VVG the_AT0 digital_AJ0 interfaces_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 digital_AJ0 divide_NN1 affects_VVZ more_AV0 than_CJS just_AV0 the_AT0 students_NN2 who_PNQ ca_VM0 n't_XX0 do_VDI their_DPS homework_NN1 online_AV0 ;_PUN it_PNP has_VHZ long-term_AJ0 implications_NN2 for_PRP jobs_NN2 and_CJC the_AT0 economy_NN1 ,_PUN McElfresh_NP0 says_VVZ ._SENT 
"_PUQ When_CJS you_PNP give_VVB every_AT0 individual_NN1 the_AT0 same_DT0 opportunities_NN2 and_CJC tools_NN2 to_TO0 learn_VVI ,_PUN grow_VVB ,_PUN and_CJC be_VBI productive_AJ0 ,_PUN communities_NN2 flourish_VVB ._SENT They_PNP have_VHB a_AT0 stronger_AJC presence_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 digital_AJ0 economy_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC that_DT0 's_VBZ what_DTQ we_PNP 're_VBB trying_VVG to_TO0 cultivate_VVI as_PRP a_AT0 nation_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ he_PNP adds_VVZ ._SENT 
Addressing_VVG this_DT0 gap_NN1 takes_VVZ commitment_NN1 ,_PUN collaboration_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC a_AT0 multifaceted_AJ0 strategy_NN1 ._SENT That_DT0 's_VBZ why_AVQ AT_PRP &_NN1 T_ZZ0 and_CJC others_NN2 are_VBB taking_VVG strides_NN2 to_TO0 narrow_VVI the_AT0 divide_NN1 ._SENT Over_PRP the_AT0 past_AJ0 three_CRD years_NN2 ,_PUN AT_PRP &_NP0 T_NP0 contributed_VVD $_NN0 1_CRD billion_CRD in_PRP low-cost_AJ0 broadband_AJ0 service_NN1 and_CJC charitable_AJ0 contributions_NN2 to_PRP the_AT0 country_NN1 's_POS underserved_AJ0 communities_NN2 ._SENT In_PRP April_NP0 2021_CRD ,_PUN it_PNP announced_VVD an_AT0 additional_AJ0 $_NN0 2_CRD billion_CRD investment_NN1 to_PRP further_AV0 those_DT0 objectives_NN2 over_PRP the_AT0 next_ORD three_CRD years_NN2 ._SENT And_CJC the_AT0 AT_PRP &_NN1 T_ZZ0 programs_NN2 are_VBB designed_VVN to_TO0 address_VVI the_AT0 digital_AJ0 divide_NN1 from_PRP all_DT0 three_CRD sides_NN2 :_PUN accessible_AJ0 networks_NN2 ,_PUN affordability_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC digital_AJ0 literacy_NN1 ._SENT 
Part_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 new_AJ0 $_NN0 2_CRD billion_CRD pledge_NN1 makes_VVZ it_PNP easier_AJC for_PRP students_NN2 to_TO0 connect_VVI to_PRP broadband_NN1 ._SENT AT_PRP &_NN1 T_ZZ0 is_VBZ extending_VVG discounted_AJ0 plans_NN2 to_PRP schools_NN2 and_CJC is_VBZ continuing_VVG its_DPS Access_NN1 from_PRP AT_PRP &_NN1 T_ZZ0 program_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ offers_VVZ reduced_AJ0 internet_NN1 rates_NN2 for_PRP residents_NN2 who_PNQ qualify_VVB ._SENT The_AT0 company_NN1 is_VBZ also_AV0 participating_VVG in_PRP the_AT0 Federal_AJ0 Emergency_NN1 Broadband_AJ0 Benefit_NN1 program_NN1 through_PRP the_AT0 Federal_AJ0 Communications_NN2 Commission_NN1 ,_PUN allowing_VVG eligible_AJ0 customers_NN2 to_TO0 reduce_VVI their_DPS broadband_AJ0 costs_NN2 temporarily_AV0 through_PRP discounts_NN2 ._SENT 
This_DT0 year_NN1 ,_PUN AT_PRP &_NN1 T_ZZ0 is_VBZ launching_VVG 20_CRD Connected_AJ0 Learning_NN1 centers_NN2 in_PRP traditionally_AV0 underserved_AJ0 communities_NN2 ,_PUN McElfresh_NP0 says_VVZ ._SENT The_AT0 company_NN1 will_VM0 provide_VVI high-speed_AJ0 fiber_NN1 and_CJC WiFi_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC it_PNP will_VM0 ensure_VVI that_CJT the_AT0 centers_NN2 have_VHB laptops_NN2 and_CJC tablets_NN2 for_PRP students_NN2 to_TO0 use_VVI ._SENT Additionally_AV0 ,_PUN AT_PRP &_NN1 T_ZZ0 employee_NN1 volunteers_NN2 will_VM0 be_VBI available_AJ0 for_PRP mentoring_AJ0 and_CJC tutoring_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC students_NN2 can_VM0 learn_VVI virtually_AV0 from_PRP collaborators_NN2 like_PRP Khan_NP0 Academy_NN1 ._SENT AT_PRP &_NN1 T_ZZ0 is_VBZ also_AV0 leveraging_VVG the_AT0 creativity_NN1 from_PRP its_DPS entertainment_NN1 unit_NN1 ,_PUN WarnerMedia_NP0 ,_PUN to_TO0 develop_VVI a_AT0 digital_AJ0 learning_NN1 platform_NN1 with_PRP educational_AJ0 content_NN1 and_CJC a_AT0 curriculum_NN1 that_CJT students_NN2 can_VM0 use_VVI at_PRP school_NN1 or_CJC at_PRP home_NN1 to_TO0 improve_VVI academic_AJ0 success_NN1 ._SENT Narrowing_VVG the_AT0 digital_AJ0 divide_NN1 means_VVZ getting_VVG parents_NN2 ,_PUN families_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC communities_NN2 involved_VVN too_AV0 ._SENT 
AT_PRP &_NN1 T_ZZ0 works_VVZ with_PRP the_AT0 Public_AJ0 Library_NN1 Association_NN1 to_TO0 offer_VVI digital_AJ0 literacy_NN1 courses_NN2 that_CJT help_VVB parents_NN2 and_CJC families_NN2 advance_VVB their_DPS technology_NN1 skills_NN2 ,_PUN so_AV0 they_PNP can_VM0 continue_VVI to_TO0 grow_VVI alongside_PRP their_DPS children_NN2 ._SENT As_CJS technology_NN1 advances_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 digital_AJ0 divide_NN1 may_VM0 always_AV0 exist_VVI to_PRP some_DT0 degree_NN1 ._SENT Still_AV0 ,_PUN the_AT0 quality_NN1 of_PRF broadband_AJ0 networks_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 U.S._NP0 ,_PUN even_AV0 in_PRP the_AT0 most_AV0 challenged_VVN parts_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 country_NN1 ,_PUN is_VBZ something_PNI to_TO0 be_VBI proud_AJ0 of_PRF ,_PUN says_VVZ McElfresh_NP0 ._SENT 
"_PUQ With_PRP that_DT0 success_NN1 ,_PUN let_VVB 's_VBZ lean_AJ0 in_PRP a_AT0 little_AJ0 bit_NN1 harder_AV0 ._SENT Let_VVB 's_VBZ solve_VVI this_DT0 problem_NN1 once_AV0 and_CJC for_PRP all_DT0 ,_PUN and_CJC do_VDB it_PNP from_PRP a_AT0 position_NN1 of_PRF success_NN1 and_CJC strength_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
