Few issues in education technology have proven as persistent as the homework gap.
For more than a decade, E-rate applicants have identified insufficient home internet access as a barrier for students and library patrons. While progress has been made in expanding broadband infrastructure, the challenge remains visible in communities across the country.
What the 2025 Data Shows
Survey responses in the 2025 E-rate Trends Report continue to highlight concerns about off-campus connectivity. Many respondents indicate that internet access at home remains uneven, particularly in rural and lower-income communities.
Applicants also express strong interest in approaches that extend connectivity beyond traditional school and library buildings.
This feedback reflects a simple reality. Learning does not stop when the school day ends, and access to digital resources increasingly extends beyond classroom walls.
From the Data
A strong majority of respondents say insufficient home internet access remains a significant issue in their community, underscoring the continuing relevance of the homework gap.
Why This Matters in 2026
During the pandemic years, emergency programs temporarily expanded off-campus access. Those efforts demonstrated how valuable connectivity can be for students learning outside the classroom.
As those temporary programs have concluded, schools and libraries are once again confronting long-standing connectivity gaps.
Applicants are navigating a complicated landscape that includes:
- varying levels of broadband availability
- affordability challenges for families
- and differing policy approaches across states and communities
The Role of Schools and Libraries
Schools and libraries are not broadband providers. But they are often the institutions closest to the problem.
Many applicants describe extending Wi-Fi coverage, providing community access points, or partnering with local organizations to support connectivity. These solutions vary widely, but they share a common goal: ensuring that students and patrons can access essential digital resources.
The 2025 E-rate Trends Report places these experiences within a longer narrative of applicant feedback, documenting how the homework gap has persisted even as technology and networks have evolved.
