Indicator: Access to technology

Definition

Individuals have access to a reliable Internet connection and a personal desktop or laptop computer.

Recommended Metric(s)

Percentage of individuals who have both (1) access to at least one desktop or laptop computer owned by someone in the home and (2) reliable broadband Internet

Type(s) of Data Needed

Survey data

Why it matters

Access to technology is increasingly critical for participation in education and workforce systems. Although device ownership and connectivity have increased in recent years, research shows that both racial and socioeconomic digital divides persist.1 For example, 80 percent of White adults in the U.S. reported owning a desktop or laptop computer in 2021, compared to 69 percent of Black adults and 67 percent of Latino adults.2 Fifty-seven percent of adults from low-income households had access to home broadband in 2021, compared to 93 percent of adults with high incomes.3 Access to a personal computer with a high-quality Internet connection (rather than just a mobile device) is especially critical for conducting complex tasks, such as schoolwork and job applications.4 During the COVID-19 pandemic, 36 percent of parents from low-income households whose children’s schools were closed reported that it was somewhat or very likely that their children would not be able to complete their schoolwork because of lack of access to a computer at home, compared to 4 percent of parents with high incomes.5

What to know about measurement

The American Community Survey (ACS) asks three questions that cover type of computer device used, availability of Internet access, and type of Internet access6 (the survey does not capture whether the device is owned by someone in the home). ACS data can be viewed at the state, county, zip code, and/or school district levels. Alternatively, E-W systems could capture data on this indicator through surveys by adapting questions from the ACS for local use. Although schools and workplaces increasingly provide devices for temporary or conditional use, our definition suggests the device should ideally be owned by someone in the home to ensure consistent, reliable access. We also note that the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) initiative collects information on whether schools allow students to “take home school-issued devices that can be used to access the Internet for student learning.” However, it does not assess whether students have access to a reliable Internet connection at home.7

Source frameworks

This indicator appeared in five source frameworks reviewed for this report. The StriveTogether Guide to Racial and Ethnic Equity Systems Indicators cites the importance of both access to devices (including mobile, desktop, or laptop) and reliable broadband Internet. As noted above, we suggest refining the measure to specifically track access to a computer to support users’ ability to perform complex tasks.

References