In this digital age it's almost impossible to imagine life without laptops, cellphones and access to the World Wide Web. But after school, some 25,000 Hamilton County Schools students leave their high-tech classrooms behind for home - and what could be termed as the modern dark ages.
That's a problem if they're ever going to keep up with a curriculum and culture that embraces and encourages the use of techonolgy, said Rick Smith, Hamilton County Schools superintendent.
"What's the point in a school system with 57 percent [of students] on free and reduced lunch, and they go home and there's no connectivity? The whole thing is a 24/7 experience," he said during his annual State of the Schools PTA address last week. "I think it's an obligation to all of our kids to provide that connectivity."
The school system's STEM schools and others that are heavily using technology, even as far as providing students with iPads that they take home, are seeing a benefit so far, he said.
But until the school system can support the thousands and thousands of devices needed, kids need to be digitally connected outside of the classroom.
"We want our graduates to be technology-fluent," Smith said. "Technology is a big, big issue. We're being very innovative and intentional."
He added that he hopes to appeal to local technology providers like EPB and Comcast to help connect students digitally outside of the classroom.
"I keep working with our business and political community. ... I am very encouraged that this community will take care of that issue," he said.
Smith also said the school system is working on a policy for teachers and students to bring their own devices to use in school.
"It's not easy. I want parents to understand ... you have to protect the infrastructure, the kids and the system. We're exploring what we can do to get there," he said.