Digital Access for Rural Students

Context

In many rural regions, students rely on slow connections or mobile data to complete coursework. Digital access directly affects college readiness, standardized test performance, and confidence with essential tools. Our goal was to understand the on-the-ground barriers and identify ways schools and communities can better support equitable digital access.

Objective

Understand digital access challenges for rural high school students and translate findings into clear, actionable communication tools for schools and families.

My Contributions

• Planned and conducted stakeholder interviews (state education officials, teacher, student)
• Structured and synthesized qualitative data (affinity mapping, themes)
• Translated research insights into concise storylines and visuals
• Designed community-facing content directions (posters, pamphlets, short-form social content)
• Co-presented findings and next steps to NTCA partner

Methodology

• Secondary research: State and federal broadband policy landscape
• Interviews:
  • Michigan Department of Education (3 officials)
  • Rural high school teacher
  • Student from rural Michigan district
• Analysis: Affinity synthesis and insights mapping

Key Insights

• Funding exists but community priorities and awareness shape whether infrastructure reaches students
• Device availability and basic digital literacy courses significantly increase student readiness
• Students using only mobile data face measurable academic disadvantages
• Families and local leaders are key decision-makers, not only policymakers

Opportunities

• Explain digital access value in everyday language (grades, applications, career tools)
• Equip schools with simple, flexible student-facing assets they can adapt
• Support parents and educators with scripts, templates, and resource guides

Outputs

Lightweight, repeatable resources for schools and community spaces:

• Poster and pamphlet templates for libraries and school offices
• Short-form social content concepts for students (Instagram, TikTok)
• Workshop outline to help schools introduce digital skill basics

Reflection

This project strengthened my ability to translate policy-level complexity into simple narratives and practical tools for families and educators. I also practiced navigating ambiguity, working across stakeholders, and keeping goals focused when access to participants was limited.

Next Steps

• Test materials with one rural high school
• Expand student interviews
• Package workshop toolkit for schools and libraries

Materials available on request (interview protocol, synthesis notes, report, slides)