Student Internet Access???

I just read an article on Yahoo . It discusses the problems that many poor and/or rural students have in accessing the Internet to do their homework.

Some schools have asked teachers to limit homework assignments requiring use of the Web. Some go to a local McDonalds in which Wi-Fi is free, in some of them anyway.

So, I was wondering what the situation is like here in Seekonk and Attleboro areas? How many families and students do you know of that do not have Internet access at home? What is the solution?

Yes, the Attleboro Library  offers access, but how late in the evening? Do the local McDonalds have free Wi-Fi? There is no Starbucks in the local area to use—except in South Seekonk , and it is pretty small and it's too cold to sit outside and connect.

I had a couple of ideas. Perhaps our schools and local businesses could offer a secure space within their buildings, supervised by volunteers, that students could use until maybe 9 or 10 o'clock. How about Bristol Community College, here in Attleboro? They must have places where public school students could connect to the Web and get their homework done.

Then again, the Yahoo article opened with information about students in a rural Alabama community, which is certainly different from our local area. So, how many students might need this in our neighborhood? If there are only a few, some accommodation should be made for them. Let's not allow their education be made more difficult for lack of Internet connection at home.

Let's hear what you have to say.