Greenwald, Taliaferro & Quijano Bill to Bridge the “Digital Divide” in Schools Under Grant Program Clears Assembly

Measure to Provide Funding for Purchase of Technology and Equipment

(TRENTON) – To address the obstacles faced by students without computers or internet capabilities and bridge the ‘digital divide’ in student access to technology, the Assembly advanced a measure 59-3-3 on Monday to establish the “Bridging the Digital Divide in Schools Grant Program” in the Department of Education.

Under the bill (A-3842), funds would be allocated to provide or expand access to laptops, tablets, hot spot devices and other technology for students to use in both a school setting or at home.

Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D-Camden, Burlington), Assemblyman Adam Taliaferro (D-Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem) and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-Union), sponsors of the bill, issued the following joint statement:

“We need to ensure every child has access to the tools their peers have to make way for equitable learning opportunities and outcomes. In a time when schools are moving to distance learning due to COVID-19, the inequities in technology access and associated challenges have become even more pronounced.

“It is estimated that roughly 12 percent of New Jersey’s 3.2 million households are without a computer and that 18 percent don’t have high-speed internet access. This bill would help ensure no student or schools falls on the wrong side of the digital divide whether we’re in a state of emergency or not.”

The bill is part of the Assembly’s package of legislation in response to coronavirus. It now heads to the Senate for consideration.