Title
Digital Divide Solution Update
Description
This report provides an update to the Workforce and Economic Development Subcommittee on the activities related to the implementation of the Digital Divide Solution, including the partnerships and concepts being utilized to provide digital access/connectivity to all areas of the City served by Phoenix Union High School District and related community colleges. This solution and its subsequent testing is working to remove the digital divide and provide equitable educational, training and workforce opportunities in under-served communities.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
On May 14, 2020, City Council approved the allocation of $2 million from the City's allocation of federal Coronavirus Relief Funds to broaden Citywide Wi-Fi. Shortly thereafter, a core public and private group came together to discuss long-term solutions for the digital divide in Phoenix. Members of the core group included the City of Phoenix, Phoenix College (PC), Phoenix Union High School District (PUHSD), the Greater Phoenix Economic Council and the Arizona Commerce Authority. This group has been working together since that time.
The Digital Divide is defined as the economic, education, and social inequalities between those who have computers and online access, and those who do not. As was reported at the Oct. 27, 2020 City Council Policy meeting, many areas of the country have little or no access/connection to the internet, including areas in the City of Phoenix and throughout Arizona. Even when there is internet availability, economic barriers prevent many residents from accessing the internet. As the working group presented to the City Council, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the gap in the digital divide has become wider and wider. Households that have internet connection are able to provide the opportunity for their children to continue their education at home during a time when schools are closed. Coming out of the pandemic, and as schools are opening again, that gap remains. Students who have connectivity are able to continue with a robust hybrid learning program and can complete their online homework in their home, while students who do not have connectivity struggle with completing their work assignments and must go to a public location to access the internet.
During the October 2020 presentation, it was identified that this particularly affects students in under-served areas. Even as their respective educational institutions provided tablets/computers to families and students to do their schoolwork, there was not an internet connection for them to be able to log on to participate in the educational programs. Furthermore, it was quickly discovered that families had been utilizing internet connections in libraries, community centers, restaurants and other public facilities, which were now closed, causing additional challenges to the students.
As the core group has continued to work together during the last 12 months, hardware and software concepts have been researched and tested as solutions that could be installed, and scaled. The most viable technology selected by the core group has now been installed on two public school buildings, a Micro Proof of Concept (POC), and tested by a team of IT professionals and students at PC in a real-world environment. The technology is reporting back with strong connectivity for the students and is providing them robust access to their educational materials through a secure connection. It is important to note that these solutions to provide digital access are for educational purposes only.
With the Micro POC now completed and tested, installation will now begin on the larger four-square mile area for a full POC test. Once the final real world testing is completed with students from elementary, high school and college levels, the installations will be guided by a future Request for Proposals to leverage economies of scale throughout PUHSD and related elementary schools, as well as Phoenix-area community colleges that are located within PUHSD's boundaries.
On Dec. 16, 2020, City Council approved entering into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with PUHSD and its feeder elementary schools, Maricopa County Community Colleges District, and the State of Arizona relating to digital divide solutions for under-served areas. In order to continue this formal partnership and the roll-out of the Digital Divide Solution, the IGA was created and signed.
Following the success of the Micro POC, staff will continue with the implementation of the Digital Divide Solution with City partners, creating a path to a robust digital network that will provide connectivity for the City's under-served communities to provide equitable educational, training and workforce opportunities. Through this identified solution, and through a long-term plan, this will provide a path for all other Phoenix school districts that are challenged by the digital divide, even if it is only a small area of the service territory.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The City Council:
- Approved allocation of $2 million from Coronavirus Relief Funds to broaden Citywide Wi-Fi on May 14, 2020 at the Policy meeting;
- Heard an update of the activities of the Digital Divide efforts on Oct. 27, 2020 at the Policy meeting; and
- Approved entering into an Intergovernmental Agreement relating to Digital Divide Solutions for under-served areas on Dec. 16, 2020 at the Formal meeting.
Location
Council Districts: 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Managers Ginger Spencer and Toni Maccarone, and the Community and Economic Development and Information Technology Services departments.