The Central Valley’s broadband disparity -- an inability to access reliable internet -- is not a new story. However, in true pandemic fashion, COVID restrictions forced us all to face the reality of Central Valley students’ struggles to reach academic goals and work through remote learning with foiled attempts due to limited or no access to broadband in parts of the region.
Everyone has a story. But this internet disparity hits at the heart of what CVHEC is attempting to accomplish -- improve the Central Valley’s degree attainment rates.
“Pursuing the Last Mile: Broadband in the Central Valley” is a three-minute video CVHEC commissioned Fenceline Media Group to create and tell the Central Valley broadband story. This video not only highlights three students’personal struggles but, more importantly, shines a light on the perseverance and resiliency they exhibited while striving to reach their academic goals.
Our hope is that the California Legislature and the federal government consider the Central Valley story in building the last mile of broadband infrastructure that has been lacking far too
long, and is creating even greater disparity.
Our Central Valley students shouldn’t have to prove themselves worthy of education by showing how creative they can be to secure some form of internet access. Reliable broadband should be afforded to all California students -- even those who are attempting to gain access from our rural agricultural fields.
California needs reliable broadband infrastructure to ensure all Californians are able to pursue their educational pursuits.
As fall plans begin to emerge, a hybrid learning/work environment will likely be a reality. To ensure our Central Valley is afforded the same opportunities as the rest of California, thelast mile of broadband infrastructure cannot wait.
