Internet access crucial for students, says Collin County Boys & Girls Clubs CEO – CBS News

Internet Access Crucial for Students, says Collin County Boys & Girls Clubs CEO

Introduction

NORTH TEXAS – For students like Praise Louis, having access to the internet is crucial.

“We do our schoolwork on the computers,” she said. “Multiplication, division.”

“Very rarely are they coming in with books where you sit down with a paper and pen,” Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County CEO Shawn Wills said.

Wills noted that many students don’t have internet access at home.

“Over 51% of our kids are on free or reduced meals,” she said. “That may not be the top priority if families have to pay for rent and groceries and transportation, so we are very grateful for the partnership that we have with AT&T.”

AT&T’s Connected Learning Centers

AT&T’s Connected Learning Center inside the McKinney club is giving students like Praise a safe space to get online.

Three months ago, the Dallas-based company committed to opening 100 Connected Learning Centers across the country by 2027. They’re halfway there.

Each location is equipped with internet and technology supplied by corporate partners. In North Texas, multiple centers are up and running in underserved communities.

AT&T Connected Learning Centers in DFW:

• Family Gateway (opened 2021; 19373 Preston Rd., Dallas, TX 75252)
• For Oak Cliff (opened 2021; 907 E Ledbetter Dr., Dallas, TX 75216)
• City Square (opened 2021; 1610 S Malcolm X Blvd., Dallas, TX 75226)
• Jewish Family Service (opened 2023; 5402 Arapaho Rd., Dallas, TX 75248)
• Puede Network (opened 2024; 1113 E Jefferson Blvd Suite 120, Dallas, TX 75203)
• BGC of Collin County-McKinney Branch (opened 2024; 701 South Church Street, McKinney, TX 75069)

“The usage varies in the different types of centers, so of course the Boys & Girls Clubs and in addition, then we have adults that use many of our Connected Learning Centers,” said Mylayna Albright, AT&T’s assistant VP of corporate responsibility. “They use that for everything from going online to search for jobs to conducting online banking, just day-to-day things that we need.”

AT&T’s Contribution

AT&T has also given away more than 5,000 laptops to DFW-area families this year.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This initiative by AT&T aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations, including:

1. SDG 4: Quality Education – By providing internet access and technology to students, AT&T is contributing to improving the quality of education and ensuring inclusive and equitable access to education for all.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – AT&T’s commitment to opening Connected Learning Centers demonstrates their efforts to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – By focusing on underserved communities and providing internet access to students who may not have it at home, AT&T is working towards reducing inequalities and ensuring equal opportunities for all.

Conclusion

Internet access is crucial for students like Praise Louis, and initiatives like AT&T’s Connected Learning Centers are making a significant impact in providing access to technology and the internet. By addressing the issue of internet access, AT&T is contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and creating a more inclusive and equitable society.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The article highlights the importance of internet access for students, particularly those from underserved communities. This connects to SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all. It also relates to SDG 9, which focuses on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation. Additionally, the article mentions that a significant number of students come from families on free or reduced meals, indicating a potential inequality in access to resources, aligning with SDG 10.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 4.c: By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries.
• Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the internet in least developed countries by 2020.
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.

The article indirectly addresses Target 4.c by emphasizing the importance of internet access for students’ education. It also aligns with Target 9.c, as it highlights the efforts of AT&T to provide internet access through Connected Learning Centers. Furthermore, the mention of students from families on free or reduced meals suggests a need to address inequalities, which relates to Target 10.2.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 4.c.1: Proportion of teachers in: (a) pre-primary; (b) primary; (c) lower secondary; and (d) upper secondary education who have received at least the minimum organized teacher training (e.g., pedagogical training) pre-service or in-service required for teaching at the relevant level in a given country.
• Indicator 9.c.1: Proportion of the population covered by a mobile network, by technology.
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.

The article does not explicitly mention any indicators. However, the indicators mentioned above can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. Indicator 4.c.1 can assess the availability of qualified teachers, indicator 9.c.1 can measure the population’s access to mobile networks and the internet, and indicator 10.2.1 can evaluate the economic inclusion of different groups.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: cbsnews.com