Michigan student broadband internet access begins to wane post-pandemic | Bridge Michigan

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Broadband Access in Michigan

Introduction

A recent report highlights the challenges faced by rural students in Michigan in accessing reliable internet, which has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The decline in broadband access particularly affects rural students, who already face difficulties in accessing the internet. This article explores the implications of this issue and the efforts being made to address it.

The Impact on Rural Students

• Rural students in Michigan face challenges in accessing reliable internet.
• Despite the provision of school-provided hotspots during the pandemic, one in three rural students still lack adequate broadband access at home.
• This lack of access hinders their ability to participate fully in online learning and access educational resources.

Government Initiatives

In response to the growing need for improved broadband access, Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced new funding to expand broadband access in rural Michigan. The state will receive $1.5 billion in federal infrastructure funds to deliver high-speed internet to 210,000 underserved homes in Michigan. These funds are expected to be distributed next year, aiming to bridge the digital divide and ensure equal opportunities for all residents.

The Current State of Broadband Access

• According to a November 2021 report from the Michigan High Speed Internet Office, more than 1.2 million homes in Michigan, accounting for approximately 31.5 percent of all households, lack a fixed broadband home connection.
• Rural counties, particularly those in the Upper Peninsula, have some of the lowest broadband access rates in the state.
• For example, in Luce County, less than 40 percent of households have access to broadband internet.

Impact of COVID-19 and School-Sponsored Hotspots

During the COVID-19 pandemic, school-sponsored hotspots played a crucial role in facilitating internet access for students. The report highlights that almost 44 percent of hotspot recipients replaced it with home internet, indicating an increased adoption of broadband services.

However, some students still lost internet access in 2022 due to financial constraints. The inability to consistently pay for internet access, broken or outdated computing devices, and access insecurities for students living in multiple households were identified as key factors contributing to this issue.

Access to Computer Devices

The report also notes a decrease in the number of computer devices provided by schools since students returned to in-person instruction. Only 40.3 percent of all students received a laptop from their school during the 2021-2022 school year, compared to 55.7 percent the previous year.

Despite this decline, rural students have seen an increase in access to computer devices over the years. In the 2021-2022 school year, 91.2 percent of rural students had access to either a laptop or a desktop computer, compared to 89.2 percent in 2021 and 75.6 percent in 2019.

Conclusion

The lack of reliable broadband access in rural Michigan continues to be a significant challenge, particularly for students. Efforts are being made by the government to address this issue through funding and infrastructure development. However, sustained focus and investment are necessary to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to universal access to affordable and reliable internet services.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article:

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Based on the Article’s Content:

• SDG 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
• SDG 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.
• SDG 11.c: Support least developed countries, including through financial and technical assistance, in building sustainable and resilient buildings utilizing local materials.
• SDG 17.8: Fully operationalize the technology bank and science, technology, and innovation capacity-building mechanism for least developed countries by 2017 and enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress towards the Identified Targets:

• Percentage of rural students with adequate, fast, broadband home internet access
• Percentage of households with fixed broadband home connection
• Percentage of households with access to broadband in rural counties
• Percentage of students receiving laptops from their schools
• Percentage of rural students with access to computer devices (laptop or desktop)

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: bridgemi.com

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