Illinois School District Ponders How to Handle Lack of Home Internet Access

A planned mobile device initiative will take into account which students don't have Internet access and how they can get it.

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Students in an Illinois school district will be able to take home laptops or tablets starting in August. But not all of them have Internet access at home.

Springfield Public Schools surveyed families and discovered that about 12 percent of its students don't have Internet access. That equates to about 3,000 students — a lower number than the district expected, reports the Springfield News-Leader. The survey didn't break down what quality of Internet access they had, which could potentially reveal lower quality levels that inhibit consistent Internet use.

To make sure students can use new mobile devices for learning, Springfield Public Schools is considering portable WiFi hotspots that include filters on them. As the devices roll out over the next three years, the district will have time to see what works and fine-tune an application process that would help determine who qualifies for the hotspots. 

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