How Rural Pennsylvania Students Struggle with Online Learning

Online learning has become the norm for many students across the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, not all students have equal access to the internet and the devices needed to participate in virtual classes. This is especially true for rural Pennsylvania students, who face significant challenges in accessing reliable and affordable broadband service.

According to a report by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, about 800,000 Pennsylvanians lack access to broadband service that meets the Federal Communications Commission's minimum speed standard of 25 megabits per second download and 3 megabits per second upload. Of those, about 520,000 live in rural areas. The report also found that rural areas have fewer broadband providers and higher prices than urban areas.

The lack of internet access has serious implications for rural students' ability to learn and succeed in school. Many rural students have to rely on mobile hotspots, public Wi-Fi, or dial-up connections that are slow, unreliable, and expensive. Some students have to travel to libraries, schools, or other locations to access the internet, which poses health and safety risks during the pandemic. Some students have no internet access at all and have to rely on paper packets or phone calls from their teachers.

The digital divide also affects rural students' academic performance and outcomes. According to a study by the Pennsylvania State Data Center, rural students have lower standardized test scores, graduation rates, and college enrollment rates than urban students. The study also found that rural students have less access to advanced courses, extracurricular activities, and career and technical education programs than urban students.

The digital divide is not only a problem for rural students, but also for the future of rural communities. Without adequate broadband service, rural areas will have a harder time attracting and retaining businesses, workers, and residents. Broadband access is essential for economic development, health care, education, and civic engagement in the 21st century.

To address the digital divide, several initiatives have been launched at the federal, state, and local levels. For example, the Federal Communications Commission has allocated $20.4 billion over 10 years to expand broadband service to unserved and underserved areas through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. The Pennsylvania Department of Education has distributed $17 million in federal funds to help schools provide devices and internet access to students in need. The Pennsylvania Broadband Investment Incentive Program has offered tax credits to broadband providers that deploy service in rural areas.

However, these initiatives are not enough to close the gap between rural and urban areas. More funding, coordination, and innovation are needed to ensure that all Pennsylvanians have access to high-quality broadband service that meets their educational and economic needs. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgency of bridging the digital divide and ensuring that no student is left behind in the digital age.