By Devna Bose, Chalkbeat Newark



Originally published on Friday, March 20 As learning increasingly moves online during nationwide school closures, Newark is taking steps to close the digital divide for students at home.

Newark will begin providing laptops to students who don't have them, Mayor Ras Baraka said Thursday, adding that a recent survey by the district found that 7,000 Newark students lack internet-equipped devices. Meanwhile, efforts are also underway to provide free internet access to families who need it. The district has tried to accommodate families with limited home technology by creating paper assignment packets for every grade level, and some schools have loaned out laptops. Next week, the district will begin distributing the additional laptops, Baraka said at Thursday's press briefing.

Become a Chalkbeat sponsor "I think as early as Monday, the superintendent and his team, along with the city, will begin delivering laptops to homes or providing them to families who do not have laptop access or access to the internet," he said.

Schoolwork is going digital all over the country as districts shutter in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus. The Newark school district cancelled classes last Friday, Gov. Phil Murphy this week ordered any schools in New Jersey that remained open to close.

One in three Newark households doesn't have an internet subscription at home, while a little more than 20% of households don't have a smartphone or computer, according to an NJ Spotlight analysis of 2013-2017 Census data.

The state legislature approved a package of emergency bills on Thursday in response to the coronavirus crisis that includes a grant for New Jersey school districts to purchase technology including laptops, tablets, and internet hotspots for students in need. Meanwhile, Optimum — a subsidiary of the cable company Altice that serves Essex County — announced that it will provide free internet access for two months to any new customers in its services areas who have children in grades K-12 or college and who do not already have internet. Families can enroll in the free service by calling 866-200-9522.