Laptop shortage throws curve ball at teachers

Pandemic challenges continued education

Nationwide laptop shortage./// a nationwide laptop shortage threatens to derail distance learning plans for schools across the nation.

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"*m* news 3's anthony monzon shows us how one school district's forward thinking payed off during the pandemic.

A plea for help from john marshall high school in rochester.

Administrators ... taking to facebook... asking for laptop donations.

The pandemic is throwing educators yet another coronavirus curveball ?

"* a nationwide shortage of affordable laptops for low?

"*income students.

"distance learning and the pandemic have really thrown into sharp relief how much of a digital divide there is in our communities."

A shortage of technology everywhere is making distance learning a long shot.

"the devices, the laptops, are absolutely a basic part of... can we or can we not meet the need of our students, our own children.

But not all schools are encountering these distance learning difficulties ... even here in southeast minnesota.

"as far as i know... the laptop shortage really hasn't affected us."

Ryan mayers of austin public schools says the district has avoided the shortage.

"we actually have a one?

"*to?

"* one laptop progra students in grades 5 through 12... so every student at i?

"*j colton... at ellis middle school... and at the austin high school receives a laptop."

Mayers says the program ensures lower?

"* income students aren't left behind.

"we're really looking to get rid of as many of those disparities as we can to make it so that just because somebody might not be able to afford a laptop on their own, they are able to get one from the school."

Now... while some schools scramble to find technology.

Austin can focus solely education.

"being able to provide technology... being able to provide the tools for all students to do these things is something that if you are having difficulty finding an affordable laptop for your child's distance learning needs... diversity council in rochester is offering several programs to help purchase essential electronics and