BROOKLYN PARK, Md. — A big concern for school this fall is the digital divide. The concern students who can't afford laptops or tablets to learn virtually will fall even further behind.
The United Way of Central Maryland is helping to bridge that gap.
On Friday, they gave tablets to 650 students at Ben Franklin High School over in Brooklyn Park. The school's principal says the donation will help keep students on track.
"Our students need to be with teachers to get the maximum learning," he said. "But when you factor in the pandemic where that's not a possibility, then any amount of contact with students is even more crucial. So if we try to eliminate the barriers of technology and at least have them be able to interact with their teachers on a more consistent basis with the technology, it helps us keep them up to speed until we can actually return."
He adds the tablets are with juniors and seniors and they'll get to keep them to help with college down the road.
The United Way says they will also get students in need other school supplies for the fall as well as pay for internet access to help students learn.
