The COVID-19 pandemic spurred unprecedented investment in digital access — connecting students to the internet, providing devices and expanding infrastructure in ways never seen before. With the end of many temporary programs, we now face the question of how to sustain and accelerate progress so every K-12 student, regardless of income or geography, has the digital foundation needed to thrive. Developed through a robust, collaborative process with government leaders, researchers, nonprofit organizations, educators and students, SETDA’s Universal Connectivity Imperative (UCI) answers this question.
Why Universal Connectivity Matters
Research shows that students without reliable access to the Internet outside of school exhibit significantly lower GPAs. This academic disparity is correlated with a projected 4-6% decrease in annual income and an estimated $22-33 billion annual GDP loss across affected cohorts.
Beyond academics, connectivity is tied to student well-being and opportunity. With appropriate support from families and caregivers, connectivity can enable access to telehealth, mental wellness resources, and digital career pathways. With 92% of jobs now requiring digital skills and AI accelerating that trend, it is imperative that students develop these competencies in K-12 environments.
Where Connectivity Stands Today
While most school buildings are connected, affordability continues to impact access to devices and high-speed connections from home. With the end of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program, which connected over 23 million households, states can play a role by considering permanent broadband affordability solutions, as well as shared data standards to track investments.
However, connectivity alone isn’t enough. Many families lack the support needed to safely navigate devices, education tools and digital systems. According to U.S. Department of Education data, only 24% of families report receiving digital skills support through their schools. Leaders can consider investing in digital and AI literacy for students and families along with technical assistance for districts to create edtech plans.
Additionally, cybersecurity remains for state education agencies. While some states have formed K-12 cybersecurity task forces and procurement guidance, there is a clear need for ongoing technical support for end users. Leaders can also consider evaluating the impact of the FCC’s E-Rate Cybersecurity Pilot Program to inform future investments, as well as coordinated guidance for education leaders.
Finally, popular digital tools too often fail to reflect the needs of all learners. The absence of learner variability in design — especially for students with disabilities or language barriers — stems from gaps in representation and inclusive design principles. Adopting the Universal Design for Learning framework at the system level, meeting new accessibility rules, and investing in research and development on inclusive tools can help ensure all students are served by digital solutions.
Policy Considerations for the Future
With this information in mind, UCI outlines five central policy considerations:
- Guarantee internet service that meets or exceeds 100/20 Mbps for all K-12 students.
- Ensure access to internet-enabled devices supported by regular refresh cycles.
- Provide digital skills training through schools and community partners.
- Protect student and family data.
- Promote tools that are designed to support learner variability.
Since UCI’s publication, many states have taken additional steps to meet its recommendations. In the 2025 State EdTech Trends Survey, most leaders responded that their state is taking steps to meet at least one of the goals outlined above. Washington’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction provides an example of a state working on several of these goals in a coordinated approach. OSPI ensures that the unique needs and voices of K-12 students are represented in statewide digital inclusion strategies. With the support of the Legislature, OSPI extended more than 100 grants to districts focused on digital navigation to build connections with students and families through district resource training, family support events, devices, community helpdesks, and more.
The past few years have shown what’s possible with coordinated policy and funding. The challenge now is to make universal connectivity permanent — to create systems, policies and partnerships that ensure every student, regardless of income or geography, can learn, grow and thrive in a connected world.
