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Digital Equity Gap

 

Students & Families

 

Districts & Libraries

Wisconsin Digital Equity Dashboard on the WISEdash Public Portal

Wisconsin Public Digital Equity Map

Indicators of Broadband Need Nationwide Map

Improving Digital Equity in Wisconsin

Closing the digital equity gap is a priority to ensure high-quality learning for all children in Wisconsin through access to robust broadband and digital learning resources, especially in rural areas and other groups lacking internet access.

The Department of Public Instruction is leading a variety of initiatives to help bridge the gap in digital learning access faced by many children and families in Wisconsin and provides leadership as a member of the Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access. As part of these initiatives, DPI is working with several organizations to raise awareness of funding opportunities to expand high-speed broadband access and providing technical assistance and support for school districts that are working with their local broadband task force groups.

Below, you can read about some of the tools, resources, and opportunities available to help improve broadband access in Wisconsin.

Learning from Digital Equity Data

DPI is helping school districts collect and use their data on broadband speed and availability to better target initiatives to help get access to those who need it. Some of these tools include:

  • Providing internet survey tools to help school districts gather information on broadband connectivity and device access for students and families.
  • Collecting digital equity data through the WISEdata application, which lets districts use DPI-provided reporting tools such as WISEdash to analyze their local data.

Wisconsin Digital Learning Bridge

CESA Purchasing and DPI have partnered to create the Wisconsin Digital Learning Bridge, a program that allows school districts to purchase discounted hardware, software, and internet access for families to support blended learning.  Visit the CESA Purchasing Digital Learning Bridge page to learn more.

Technology Expansion Funding Opportunities

Districts can work with local partners to support applications for funding to expand high-quality broadband access. Some of these funding opportunities include:

  • Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation's (WEDC) Broadband Connectors Pilot program

  • Public Service Commission's (PSC) Broadband Expansion Grant program
  • Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL) Trust Fund Loan program