The Digital Divide in Educating African-American Students and Workers

Abstract

This paper uses data from the October Current Population Survey (CPS) School Enrollment Supplement in 1984, 1989, 1993 and 1997 to calculate the gap in computer use between African-American, Hispanic and White Students. Black students were 16 percentage points less likely than White students to use a computer in school in 1984, and only 6 percentage points less likely in 1997. The Hispanic-White gap in computer use is now larger than the Black-White gap in computer use. Differences in the use of the internet at school are also documented. Black and Hispanic students seem to lag behind in using the latest technology in school, and their teachers seem to lag behind in their preparation to use the latest technology. Potential causes of this digital divide are evaluated. Consequences of the digital divide are also considered.

JEL Classification: J24