The Impact of Home Internet Access on Test Scores By Steve Macho

Chapter 2:

Background

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The web-based workshop, which was only available to those who have Internet access, clearly draws the connection between the potential of a parent to participate in their child’s education and the availability of technology.

This registration document for the June 2003 event also illustrates another important aspect that may be potentially exacerbated, parent access to the students’ education process. The parents’ role in the notion of the digital divide is important in two ways: providing access for themselves (the parent) to participate in the education process, and providing the technology in the home for their child to use as a learning tool. Most parents believe in providing Internet access, as indicated by the findings of The Pew Internet & American Life Project.

Parents agree with their online children that Internet helps with learning. Fully 93% believe that the Internet helps children learn new things. Eighty-seven percent of these parents say the Internet helps children with their schoolwork. And 95% of these parents say it is important for children to learn about the Internet in order to be a success later in life; 55% say it is essential. (Lenhart et al., 2001, p. 4)

The use of the Internet not only supports the students’ activities; it also helps the parents as directors of their children’s learning. Those without access to these technology resources will be at a disadvantage compared to those who have Internet access at home.

Technology has also become a powerful tool to help parents stay involved in their child’s education. School Web sites, message boards and the like now provide mothers and fathers with access to everything from assignments and lunch menus to specific information on their children’s academic performance and offer an almost infinite number of learning resources. (U.S. Department of Education, 2003, ¶ 2)

As a result, parents who have home Internet access can be active participants in their students’ academic life beyond attending parent teacher conferences. They can communicate with their child’s teachers and may take part in the curriculum and do a better job of helping their children with homework, because they can go on line and see the homework.