NYSED Digital Equity Survey

NYSED Digital Equity Survey Question Guidance

Overall:

“Device” is defined as a computing device, such as a laptop, desktop, Chromebook, iPad, or full-size tablet. “Device” for the purposes of this survey, is NOT a phone or mini tablet, nor is it a mobile internet access point, such as a MIFI.

“Dedicated” devices are devices that are not shared, where the student is allowed to take the device when they leave the school building to participate in learning outside of school. They are for single student use and are not shared with other students or household members.

“Sufficient” access means that the student does not regularly experience issues (slowdowns, buffering, disconnections, unreliable connection, etc.) while participating in required or assigned instruction and learning activities, as measured during peak household usage. 

“Reliable” access should be judged against the goal of “All the Time” access, as indicated in the National Educational Technology Plan.  The Plan states the expectation that technology-enabled learning should be available for all students, everywhere, all the time (NETP 2017). 
 

Question 10: Did the school district issue your child a dedicated school or district owned device for their use during the school year?

“Yes” means the school district issued the student a dedicated device to use at home.

 “No” means that the school district has not issued a dedicated device to the student to use at home.
 

Question 11: What is the device your child uses most often to complete learning activities away from school? (This can be a school-provided device or another device, whichever the student is most often using to complete their schoolwork.)

Choice can be a school-provided device or another device, whichever the student is most often using to complete their schoolwork.

DESKTOP     LAPTOP   TABLET   CHROMEBOOK    SMARTPHONE        NO DEVICE

Please select a response other than “No Device” if you previously responded “Yes” to Question 10.
 

Question 12: Who is the provider of the primary learning device identified in question 11? (This can be a school-provided device or another device, whichever the student is most often using to complete their schoolwork.)

“School” means that the school district provided the device for the student to use.

“Personal” means that the student uses a device not provided by the school district.

“No Device” means the student does not have a device to use.

You should answer “No Device” if you previously responded “No Device” to Question 11.
 

Question 13: Is the primary learning device (identified in question 11) shared with anyone else in the household?

“Shared” means multiple students/people share the device for school or work. This can be a school provided device or another device, whichever the student is most often using to complete their schoolwork.

“Not Shared” means dedicated to one student. This can be a school provided device or another device, whichever the student is most often using to complete their schoolwork.

“No Device” means the student does not have a device to use.

You should answer “No Device” if you previously responded “No Device” to Questions 11 and 12 respectively.
 

Question 14: Is the primary learning device (identified in question 11) sufficient for your child to fully participate in all learning activities away from school?     

“Yes” means the student has a sufficient device (a computer or computing device such as a laptop, desktop, Chromebook, or full-sized iPad or other tablet), that is able to connect to the internet (even if an internet connection is not always available); has a screen size of at least 9.7”; has a keyboard (on-screen or external) and a mouse, touchscreen, or touchpad; and can run all applications, allowing for full participation in learning without or with very limited issues.

“No” means that the student does not have a device that meets the criteria above.

You should answer “No” if you previously responded “No Device” to Questions 11, 12, and 13 respectively.

 

Question 15: Is your child able to access the internet in their primary place of residence?  

“Yes” means the student has internet access in their primary residence where the student typically resides.

“No” means the student does not have internet access in their primary residence.

Note: If student has multiple residences that share equal time, answer this question according to the residence that has the more limited access

 

Question 16: What is the primary type of internet service used in your child’s primary place of residence?

“Residential Broadband” means a high-bandwidth connection to the Internet at your home by using a cable (fiber or coaxial) connected to an Internet service provider such as Spectrum, AT+T, Frontier, etc.

“Cellular” means wireless Internet access delivered through cellular towers to computers and other devices.  Uses your cell phone provider for internet access.

“Mobile Hotspot” means a wireless access point created by a dedicated hardware device or a smartphone feature that shares the phone's cellular data. For example, a cellphone or a device like a Kajeet, Verizon Jetpack, Netgear Nighthawk or MiFi.

“Community WiFi” means allowing Internet connection to visitors and guests using an existing Wi-Fi infrastructure in the community such as a library, café, hotel, etc.

“Satellite” means a wireless connection through the use of a satellite dish located on your property.

“Dial up” means a service that allows connectivity to the Internet by using a modem and a standard telephone line.

“DSL” Digital Subscriber Line means a high-speed bandwidth connection from a phone wall jack on an existing telephone network that works within the frequencies so you can use the Internet while making phone calls.

“Other” means none of the other choices apply.

“None” means that you do not have Internet access in your home.

You should answer “None” if you previously responded “No” to Question 15. 

 

Question 17: In their primary residence, can your child complete the full range of learning activities, including video streaming and assignment upload, without interruptions caused by slow or poor internet performance?  

“Yes” means the student experiences very few or no interruptions in learning activities caused by poor internet performance in their primary place of residence.

“No” means the student regularly experiences interruptions and is unable to complete all learning activities due to poor internet performance in their primary place of residence or lack of internet access.

You should answer “No” if you previously responded “No” and “None” to Questions 15 and 16 respectively.

 

Question 18: What, if any, is the primary barrier to having sufficient and reliable internet access in your child’s primary place of residence?

“Availability” means you cannot actually get fiber (or satellite or cell service) at your home. 

“Cost” means the service available to your neighborhood is cost prohibitive.

“None” means that your child has sufficient and reliable access to the internet.

“Other” means none of the other choices apply.

You should answer “None” if you previously responded “Yes” to Question 17.

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