Digital Promise Releases Digital Equity Framework

AUGUST 14, 2024 | Washington, D.C. – Global education nonprofit Digital Promise has released its new Digital Equity Framework, which provides guidance and policy recommendations for states and K-12 education systems to bridge digital divides and improve outcomes for all learners.

Digital literacy is essential to living and working today in the United States, but digital skill gaps are preventing individuals from reaching their highest potential in the job market, impacting their earning opportunities. The Digital Equity Framework conveys a systematic approach to advancing digital equity at the state level and for K-12 systems. The guidelines are designed to ensure equitable access, opportunities, and outcomes for all learners and households in a digitally driven society.

“We believe school and system leaders can use our Digital Equity Framework not only to transform current teaching and learning, but also future-proof their schools for the evolving digital landscape,” said Dr. D’Andre Weaver, Chief Digital Equity Officer at Digital Promise. “Similarly, states can use the framework to develop and grow programs and policies that ensure all individuals have the opportunity to participate fully in our digital society.”

K-12 schools are a crucial pathway for developing digital literacy, ensuring equitable access to technology, and preparing students for success in the digital age. The K-12 Digital Equity Framework is a systematic way for leaders, teachers, and coaches to advance digital equity by closing the digital teaching and learning gap in schools. It provides strategies to bridge the digital access, design, and use divides outlined in the 2024 National Educational Technology Plan.

The framework is composed of five interdependent domains:

1. Leadership for Digital Transformation: Strategic and inclusive guidance by district, school, and community leaders that enact a vision for deep technology integration across the education system.
2. Coherent Systems, Resources, and Policies: The alignment and activation of systems, resources, and policies with a defined strategic and continuous improvement plan for deep technology integration.
3. Consistent Access to Devices and Connectivity: Every learner has adequate and consistent access to high-speed internet, devices, and emerging technologies and learning tools, both within and outside the classroom.
4. Digital Competency: The digital skills, mindsets, dispositions, and behaviors that are essential for people to effectively use technology to fully participate in a digitally driven society.
5. Powerful Learning Propelled by Technology: A learner-centered model that seamlessly integrates emerging technologies, digital resources, and tools into instruction, resulting in engaging and relevant teaching and learning experiences that lead to deep understanding.

Competencies play a key role in supporting the Digital Equity Framework by defining the professional knowledge, skills, and mindsets needed by educators, coaches, and leaders to advance digital equity.

The State Digital Equity and Opportunity Framework sets enabling conditions for equitable access, use, and workforce readiness for all people in an increasingly digital society. It outlines strategies to expand state-supported programs designed to improve broadband infrastructure and enhance digital literacy. Its holistic approach places learners at the center of policies originating from three economic sectors: Education, Housing, and Workforce, with a focus on historically and systematically excluded communities, as well as citizens with learning variability.

An additional framework which will provide similar guidance for institutions of higher education will be released in the near future.

To learn more about Digital Promise’s work to advance digital equity, visit digitalpromise.org/digital-equity.

Press Contact:

Jessica Schuler
Digital Promise
jschuler@digitalpromise.org
410.598.9848

About Digital Promise

Digital Promise is a global nonprofit working to expand opportunity for every learner. We work with educators, researchers, technology leaders, and communities to design, investigate, and scale innovations that support learners, especially those who’ve been historically and systematically excluded. Our vision is that every person engages in powerful learning experiences that lead to a life of well-being, fulfillment, and economic mobility. For more information, visit the Digital Promise website and follow @digitalpromise for updates.

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