How ICOE is bridging the homework gap facing valley students

Web access is crucial in today’s education system. But not every student has access to the internet at home. Creating a disadvantage to those whose family simply can’t afford it.

But the Imperial County Office of Education is giving those students an even playing field. Borderlink, gives Mi-Fi devices to students to tap into a Wi-Fi signal from antennas installed by ICOE. “Flipping the switch, borderlink closes that gap. It provides internet activity for those students,” said Todd Evangelist, ICOE Director of Development and Community Relations.

ICOE hopes that this will allow teachers the opportunity to teach students without being restricted.
Todd Finnell, County Superintendent of Schools said, “It is going to affect what assignments you give to those students. what expectations you have of the students. Because right out of the gate, you know that two thirds of your class are going to be able to have access to resources, one third are not.”

ICOE says it’s leading the way for innovating how education facilities in rural area can give internet access to students. Luis Wong, ICOE Chief Technology Officer said, ” To work with county agencies to string fiber all across the county, to start lining up antennas out there, to help our schools and member agencies be able to provide the services that they need. I would say yes we are pioneers.”

Brawley Union High was the first schools to use the borderlink program. For them it was a chance for their students to have an equal opportunity. Simon Canalez, Brawley Superintendent said, “Really, that was the focus of Where we’re going is looking at how do we bridge that digital divide? Provide equity and access to those that don’t have the ability to have the internet and the capabilities at home. And level the playing field for those types of students. ”

Like many students in the valley, Alyssa Bravo didn’t have internet access at home. Thanks to borderlink she was able to apply for college without having to go to a library or a friends house. Bravo, a Brawley Union High Student said, “I feel like…you know having Wi-Fi in general and the border link was really important because senior year is where you have to basically use everything online.With the college applications, with the scholarships.”

One school principal says that technology lets students create innovative ideas. Esther Green, Margaret Hedrick Elementary School Principal said, “Technology is the future. It’s not going away. It is here. And it’s here to stay. And we need to make sure that our students understand that there are such positive ways we can use technology. In order to change our world. And they are the change.”

Pen, pencil and paper are no longer the staple tools for education. Jesus Huerta, Margaret Hedrick Elementary School Teacher said, “Yea it’s an impact because, when we talk about, ok so you know go home and you’re gonna work on this assignment through google drive, you know google slides. They have to have a connection. I think it can hit them like okay I’m not part of my class now. Because when I go home, I’m left out.”

Giving students access to technology allows them limitless knowledge. Huerta said, “When they don’t have it’s like we cut them off from knowledge. And the fact that if they have internet access at home, they have any device really. I mean they have almost unlimited knowledge.”

Thanks to a state grant, all this is possible. While borderlink is only being used in three school districts, ICOE hopes to reach all the districts in the valley and provide this service for every student by the new school year.