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Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Opinion: The Road to Educational Equity: Can Ed Tech Solve the Digital Divide?
In a nation where ZIP codes often determine opportunity, the promise of educational equity remains out of reach for millions of students. Despite years of reform, the link between a child's environment and their academic outcomes still remains. Today, as schools integrate digital tools into everyday learning, a new dimension of inequality has come into focus: access to technology. While some students benefit from personalized platforms and high-speed connectivity, others are still left behind, struggling to participate in a system that increasingly assumes digital access. The debate is no longer whether ed tech can improve education, but whether it will reach those who require it the most. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter The integration of technology into classrooms has the potential to improve learning, but only if access is universal. In reality, disparities in broadband connectivity, device availability, and digital literacy continue, especially in rural and low-income regions. A 2024 report by the Pew Charitable Trusts indicates that 43% of adults earning less than $30,000 annually lack broadband access, and nearly half of households making under $50,000 struggle to afford internet services. This leads to a 'homework gap' that disproportionately impacts students in excluded communities, limiting their ability to complete assignments and engage with digital learning resources. Beyond infrastructure, the challenge extends to technology deployment. Schools with more resources can invest in training educators, curating high-quality digital content, and supporting students with tailored interventions. In contrast, under-resourced schools may lack the technical assistance and instructional direction required for effective ed tech integration. Without thoughtful implementation, technology risks becoming a superficial fix rather than a meaningful equalizer. To bridge the gap, tech access should be treated as a foundational right, not a privilege. That means investing in affordable internet for all households, making sure every student has access to a reliable device, and providing the support systems that make digital learning meaningful and accessible. Ed tech, when designed and deployed with equity in mind, can be an effective tool to close learning gaps. AI-powered and gamified learning platforms, for example, offer the ability to personalize content to meet students where they are, regardless of age, ability, or background. Adaptive platforms, for instance, are able to recognise when a student is behind and make real-time material adjustments. Through milestones and rewards, gamified modules can keep students motivated. This is especially helpful for students who might otherwise lose interest in a strict, one-size-fits-all approach. These features can have a particularly significant effect on classrooms with a variety of learning demands but a small number of teachers. Too often, though, innovative learning technologies are piloted in affluent districts with the budget and infrastructure to support them, while the students who could benefit most remain out of reach. Without targeted strategies to expand access and usage, ed tech risks strengthening the very disparities it aims to address. True equity means creating educational technology that represents the diversity of the learners themselves. This includes considering various cognitive styles, linguistic backgrounds, and cultural situations. Platforms should offer multilingual support, dyslexia-friendly fonts, sensory-sensitive modes for neurodiverse kids, and culturally relevant material. Without these design considerations, ed tech may inadvertently exclude the very students it aims to uplift, even when devices and internet access are available. The answer lies not just in the tools themselves, but also in how and where they are deployed. Equity-focused implementation requires a commitment to both access and impact –- ensuring students can use the technology, and that the technology truly supports their learning journey. Related This is not a challenge educators can tackle alone. It requires coordinated action from policymakers, district leaders, nonprofit partners, and the tech community itself. Public investment should prioritize infrastructure development in under-served areas, such as expanding broadband coverage and subsidizing device distribution. Equally important is funding for professional development, helping teachers integrate digital tools into their pedagogy in ways that are culturally responsive, developmentally appropriate, and aligned with academic goals. At the policy level, educational equity must be embedded into procurement decisions, funding formulas, and accountability frameworks. Leaders must ask not just whether technology is available in schools, but whether it is making a measurable difference for students who have historically been left behind. Collaboration across sectors is critical. Nonprofits can help support communities in navigating the digital learning landscape. Tech providers can design solutions with accessibility and inclusion built in from the start. And local governments can act as conveners — aligning resources, reducing duplication, and ensuring families are supported beyond the school day. There is no silver bullet to educational inequity, but there is momentum. Across the country, districts are experimenting with community Wi-Fi programs, public-private partnerships, and learning models that prioritize flexibility and student engagement. These efforts prove that with the right intentions, innovation and inclusion can go hand in hand. What's needed now is sustained commitment. We should resist the temptation to view ed tech as a short-term fix or an optional add-on. Instead, it must be approached as a core element of a broader equity agenda, one that prioritizes student outcomes, not just new tools. Ed tech holds enormous promise, but only if we build systems that ensure its promise reaches every student. That starts with recognizing that the digital divide is not just a tech problem, it's an equity problem. And equity is something we must design for from the beginning.
Axios
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Mayor Cherelle Parker polls favorably despite public safety concerns
Swayed by declines in gun violence and faith in the Parker administration, 59% of Philadelphians say the city is headed in the right direction, per a Pew Charitable Trusts poll released Wednesday. Why it matters: That positive outlook is a change-up from recent years — a 23% improvement from 2022. The big picture: Mayor Cherelle Parker's approval rating was 63% entering her second year in office — one of the highest achieved by an incumbent mayor since 2009, per the report. Almost half of the nearly 2,300 residents polled between January and March rated her handling of public safety as "good" or "excellent," per the survey. About a third believe Parker can deliver on her pledge to make the city greener and cleaner. Yes, but: Fewer are hopeful that her administration can tackle more entrenched issues, such as the opioid crisis in Kensington. 36% of people polled believe her actions addressing the city's drug issues will make "no real difference." Zoom in: That bubbling optimism wasn't shared by North Philly and the River Wards residents, where nearly half of those polled from both areas believe the city is on the wrong track. State of play: Despite a stark reduction in homicides last year, 61% of residents still cited public safety as their top concern this year. It's a drop from 70% in 2022, a year after violent crime hit a record high. More than half of Philadelphians reported hearing gunshots in their neighborhood, down from 65% in 2022. Poverty and homelessness were the city's No. 2 issue, followed by affordable housing and cost of living. By the numbers: Fewer than half of Philadelphians view gun violence as getting worse, a steep drop from 85% in 2022. But only 38% believed homicides had dropped over the last year, and young people between 18 and 29 years old were most likely to think the number of homicides had increased. The fine print: SSRS, an independent research company in Glen Mills, conducted the poll for Pew with a margin of error of ±2.7%. Between the lines: More than half of Philadelphians say they felt "completely" or "pretty" safe in their neighborhoods, compared with 44% in 2022. Philly's Asian residents felt the least safe of all groups, which Pew said was notable because it was the first time the group's sample size was big enough to analyze their responses.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Officials ban controversial deep-sea activity in protected waters: 'A strong signal of commitment to future generations'
The waters surrounding a small South Pacific nation have been ruled to be off-limits from deep-sea mining for at least the next 50 years. As RFI reported, lawmakers in New Caledonia have passed a moratorium that bans commercial exploration, prospecting, and mining of mineral resources within the country's exclusive economic zone. The area spreads across over 500,000 square miles (1.3 million square kilometers), granting New Caledonia the right to protect the development of marine resources. Jérémie Katidjo Monnier, a New Caledonia government member, offered up an explanation of the legislation's significance. "Rather than giving in to the logic of immediate profit, New Caledonia can choose to be a pioneer in ocean protection," Katidjo Monnier said. "It is also a strategic lever to assert our environmental sovereignty in the face of multinationals and a strong signal of commitment to future generations," Katidjo Monnier added. New Caledonia is home to one of the largest barrier reefs on Earth, recognized as one of the world's most diverse and extensive coral reef systems. The lagoons and reefs support over 400 coral species, 1,700 fish species, and a vast array of other marine life, according to The Pew Charitable Trusts. They have become so vital to the ecosystem that six of the marine clusters have even been designated UNESCO World Heritage sites. Coral reefs are an important natural resource to humans and nearby wildlife. Coral reefs protect coastlines from storms and erosion, offer the potential for jobs for local communities and their economy, and provide a diverse range of marine habitats for various species. Coral reefs are also essential for certain organisms used in pharmaceutical developments. In April 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order signaling America's "economic interest in maintaining leadership in deep-sea science and technology and seabed mineral resources." The order encourages deep-sea mining for mineral-rich nodules. Should we be harnessing the ocean to power our homes? Absolutely Leave it be It depends I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. However, Olivier Poivre d'Arvor, France's maritime ambassador, rebuked the plans made by Trump. "No one can claim the right to destroy the oceans, especially those over which they have no territorial rights," Poivre d'Arvor said in a press briefing, shared by France24. "This is the strict application of international law. The deep sea is not for sale." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Axios
14-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Even Utah — mostly-self-sufficient — relies on federal funds
Utah is one of the least federally-reliant states in the nation — yet more than a quarter of its revenue comes from D.C., per a recent analysis. Why it matters: The Trump administration and congressional Republicans are looking for ways to cut federal spending, and some states may be more vulnerable than others to major decreases. By the numbers: As of 2022, federal funding accounted for more than 29% of Utah's revenue, according to a Pew Charitable Trusts analysis of the latest available census data. Zoom out: Most states get an even bigger share of tax funding from federal sources. It accounts for more than half of revenue in Louisiana and Alaska and nearly 50% in Arizona. The intrigue: Utah is one of the few red states that isn't heavily reliant on federal funds. Of the four states that get a smaller share of their revenue from D.C., only oil-rich North Dakota went for Trump in November. Catch up quick: Utah, Wyoming and Nevada are the only three states that send more money to federal government coffers than they receive and also supported Trump. 13 states total give more to the feds than they get. Context: The federal share of a state's overall revenue can fluctuate from year-to-year depending on overall federal spending levels, state tax collections and more. States have been getting more federal funding than usual in the past few years due to COVID-19 and infrastructure spending. Stunning stat: Total federal grants exceeded $1 trillion in 2022 for the first time, per Pew. The big picture: Big losses in federal dollars can leave states scrambling for alternate funding for federally-supported programs and projects, or can cause states to cancel them entirely. Case in point: FEMA is cutting $325 million in grants largely meant for flood mitigation in New York.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Want to save America? Don't have kids with Trump's $5,000 baby bonus
Have you heard of the 'pronatalist movement?' It's a fancy name for what we used to call 'guilt tripping,' aimed at urging young people to have more babies. Pronatalists say the nation is facing a population decline that will collapse American society as we know it. Sorta reminds me of when my mother used to pressure me about having kids to 'carry on the family name.' ('You know, son, your sister has two, but they're not 'Moores.'') Listen, I'm sure the 'make more people' people have a point, but as a 40-something, divorced father of four young kids, I can say with absolute certainty to anyone considering whether to have children: Don't do it unless you're absolutely certain. The numbers suggest that's exactly what's happening. The U.S. birth rate has been declining for about a decade, except for a 1% increase during the pandemic. (Go figure.) There were only 3.6 million births in 2023, according to the most recent federal data. The general fertility rate was slightly more than 54 births per 1,000 females between the ages of 15 and 44, a record low. Birth rates were down in nearly all categories: teens, women in their early 20s, women between the ages of 20 and 39. The decline has been especially sharp in Arizona, where the birth rate was down a whopping 31% from 2001-2010 averages, according to Pew Charitable Trusts. Economists and demographers predict the steadily declining numbers will cause all sorts of problems, including workforce shortages and reduced tax revenue for local and state budgets. Plus, an aging population will strain doctors and hospitals without younger people to help provide care. Clearly, the pronatalists have a point. But what's good for society isn't always ideal for an individual. And take it from me, once you have a kid, you're no longer an individual. Your time isn't your own. Your money isn't your own. Your schedule isn't your own. And, if you're a woman, your body isn't your own. American society is gonna do what it does, and it's not your responsibility to save it. (And if you think it is, I know a couple of therapists who can treat a messiah complex.) And your family legacy might be important, but Grandma isn't going to raise your kids. (She might not even babysit.) Remember that as Donald Trump's advisers are calling for $5,000 checks for women who give birth. That's nice, but $5,000 wouldn't cover formula and diapers, let alone the cost of a crib, a car seat, baby clothes, all those special lotions, doctor visits or preschool. (It could maybe pay for one of those gender reveal parties where expecting parents get covered in pink or blue powder. But we won't worry about what happens if one of those kids decides to switch genders in high school.) Elon Musk is perhaps the most prominent pronatalist. And if he's the president of the movement, he's also a client, so to speak. Musk practices what he preaches as a father of 14 kids by four different women. My four kids, for whatever it's worth, all have the same mother. Not that I'm judging anyone else's family structure, but you can imagine my shock as a Black man that conservatives are taking advice about family planning from Musk, an African immigrant with a bunch of kids by a bunch of women. Bottom line, having a kid today isn't the same as it was in previous generations. Conversations about racism, sexism and gender issues are vastly more complex. Public schools are crumbling, and the charter school bureaucracy practically requires a degree in paperwork. And did I mention how much everything costs? I could easily spend $5,000 on basketball camps for my sons or twice that much on dance lessons for my daughters. Opinion: Help! I'm a single dad trying to survive a 2-week spring break All that, and I still haven't bought a protractor or a compass, nor have we talked about putting money away for college. It should go without saying, but these factors only apply if you actually want to be a good parent. If you're just out here making kids that you don't intend to take care of, that's another conversation. Please don't take this as a criticism of Musk or anyone else with a large family. By all means, have all the kids you can afford. But don't grow a family because the government or Elon or your mom told you to. Raising children changes you in every way you can imagine and many that you can't. It's not easy. It's not always fun. And sometimes, you just want to hide in the bathroom until everyone turns 18. And if this doesn't sound like something you want any parts of, I don't blame you. I wouldn't trade being a father for anything, but I'm not advising anyone to rush into parenthood, either. Don't do it unless you're certain. Reach Moore at gmoore@ or 602-444-2236. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @SayingMoore. Like this column? Get more opinions in your email inbox by signing up for our free opinions newsletter, which publishes Monday through Friday. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Elon Musk is wrong. Not everyone needs to have kids | Opinion
