Overview

March 19

Access to technology is a cornerstone of modern education, yet too many students still lack reliable access to the digital tools and resources they need to succeed. This digital access divide hinders learning, limits opportunities, and widens achievement gaps.

Join the Center for Digital Education for a live webinar where we break down key findings from the Universal Connectivity Imperative (UCI) report by SETDA. This comprehensive report provides a detailed roadmap for overcoming the digital access divide, offering actionable strategies and expert advice across four critical focus areas:

Affordable, Reliable Broadband & Devices: Learn about strategies for ensuring all students have access to reliable broadband and devices, both in and out of school.
Digital Skills for Students, Families, & Caregivers: Discover how to build digital skills for students, families, and caregivers to promote digital citizenship and resilience.
Technical Support, Online Privacy, & Cybersecurity: Learn about cost-effective cybersecurity practices, data privacy compliance tools, and how to balance security and privacy in K-12 environments.
Inclusive Digital Tools & Platforms: Explore how to select and implement digital tools and platforms that are inclusive and responsive to the needs of all learners.

Whether you’re looking for ways to improve digital access in your district or strengthen your school’s cybersecurity posture, this session will give you the insights you need to move forward with confidence.

Speakers

Michael Martirano — Moderator

Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Education

Dr. Michael J. Martirano is a Senior Fellow for the Center for Digital Government. He is a seasoned educational leader, serving over 40 years in the public education sector. He has served as a science and math teacher, a principal and assistant principal at the elementary, middle and high school levels, a central office administrator, a local superintendent in two counties in the state of Maryland and as the state superintendent of schools for the great state of West Virginia.

Ji Soo Song

Director of Projects & Initiatives, SETDA

Ji Soo Song is the Director of Projects and Initiatives at SETDA, where he designs, executes, and evaluates the organization’s efforts to support member states advocate for federal edtech policies and implement promising practices on topics such as digital equity, procurement, and professional learning. Previously, Ji Soo served as a digital equity advisor and Federation of American Scientists Impact Fellow at the U.S. Department of Education. In this role, he led the Office of Educational Technology’s work to bridge the digital access divide. His responsibilities included crafting federal policy guidance on broadband adoption, organizing national campaigns and convenings, and supporting development and implementation of the 2024 National Educational Technology Plan.

Heather Gate

Executive Vice President, Digital Inclusion, Connected Nation

As Executive Vice President of Digital Inclusion for Connected Nation (CN), Heather Gate is responsible for strategy development and implementation of programs that impact digital inclusion for all people in all places. Ms. Gate has more than 18 years of experience working in digital inclusion with the mission of improving the lives of vulnerable populations across the country. In addition, she has extensive experience engaging with minority populations, rural communities, families, and others on the frontlines of the digital divide and working behind the scenes as an advocate and tactician with local, state, and federal leaders. Heather served on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment (ACDDE) from 2017 to 2021 and, in November 2021, was appointed as Chair to the rechartered committee which was redesignated as the Communications Equity and Diversity Council (2021-2025).

Webinar

Bridging the Digital Access Divide: New Insights on Digital Equity and Security in K-12 Education