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Council backs study bill on student home internet access; DOE prefers targeted outreach over biannual survey
Summary
Council Member Brooke Powers sponsored Intro. 142, which would require the Department of Education to conduct a biannual study of student access to home internet and devices. DOE officials said they support closing the digital divide but argued a biannual survey is not the best tool and described alternative outreach plans.
Council Member Brooke Powers told a joint hearing she sponsored Intro. 142 to require a biannual study of student access to home internet and devices, arguing the data are necessary to close the academic divide revealed during the pandemic.
DOE Chancellor Melissa Aviles Ramos and staff said the department supports efforts to close the digital divide but does not believe a biannual household survey is the best mechanism. The chancellor described existing DOE efforts to provide devices to students in need and said the department plans an outreach campaign this fall with the New York City Office of Technology and Innovation to publicize discount broadband options and device resources.
Why it matters: Council members framed the bill as an equity measure: students without reliable home internet miss tutoring, test prep and college‑application resources. DOE officials emphasized the department already maintains device distribution responsibilities at the school level and argued that periodic outreach and targeted supports would be more effective than broad recurring surveys.
Speakers (selected): Council Member Brooke Powers; Melissa Aviles Ramos, Chancellor
Authorities: Intro. 142 (sponsored; hearing testimony), no vote taken (hearing only).
