• by Morgan Craven, J.D. • IDRA Federal Education Policy Update • August 15, 2024
In December 2023, IDRA and long-time partner organization, ARISE Adelante, launched a Digital Ambassadors pilot program to model ways students can develop STEM skills and provide leadership in their communities to help narrow digital literacy gaps.
When the pandemic put the digital divide crisis on the front burner, significant gaps in broadband infrastructure and Internet access, particularly among communities of color and those with few resources, became clear to many more people, including policymakers and school leaders.
IDRA identified the opportunity to adapt its model of cross-age tutoring to tap the skills of young people and support them in teaching adults in their communities various technology skills. Digitial Ambassadors, and other IDRA student programs emphasize the intelligence, assets and leadership potential of youth, particularly those who are of color, economically disadvantaged, emergent bilingual students and recent immigrants.
These initiatives have been shown to impact some of the most pressing needs of students, teachers and schools, including by improving academic achievement and attendance for students, reducing schools’ reliance on harmful school discipline, improving teacher experiences, promoting strong family and community connections with campuses, and strengthening school climates.
More federal resources must be allocated to developing and growing student support programs in schools. Federal technical support, grants and other resources are critical to expanding access to programs that support youth leadership and learning, and family and community engagement. These resources can spur education innovation by helping to pilot new projects, build a base of research, and expand the reach of evidence-based programs.
For more information about Digital Ambassadors and other youth-centered programs that can be adopted in communities across the country, see IDRA’s resources on student programming.
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