We’re nearly halfway through summer break, and kids have sent thoughts of final exams and end-of-year testing to the memory dump. Vacations, camps, and warm, lazy days are now at the top of to-do lists. Outdoor summer concerts and sleepovers aside, it’s important your student doesn’t lose the knowledge they gained over the course of the school year. 

One sure way to counteract this “summer slide” is to be connected to the internet. Access to the internet is essential to learning, and like the brownie recipe that includes spinach, there are many ways to disguise online learning as fun. Of course, outside activities are the hallmark of summer, but free game-based programs are a terrific way to stimulate a young mind following a day at the beach or camp. So, too, are blogs or websites dedicated to students’ interests. The simple act of your child reading a blog post or news article out loud to you or another family member can help with reading comprehension.

Despite significant progress over the last decade, internet access remains a major challenge for low-income households across the United States. This forces some families to turn to restaurants, libraries, and other public places to connect. This can be both inconvenient and cumbersome for already busy families.

That’s why Cox offers several low-cost internet plans and works with community partners to raise awareness about initiatives that help bridge the digital divide. Since its launch in 2013, Cox’s Connect2Compete program has connected thousands of Santa Barbara households with school-age children by providing service to for less than $10/month.

In 2021, Cox built on the success of Connect2Compete with the launch of ConnectAssist, a program that bridges the gap for qualifying low-income households that don’t include students. Cox is also a participating partner in the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides an additional subsidy of $30/month for these customers — for some, this results in a monthly broadband bill of $0.

Cox customers can qualify for the ACP discount if they participate in the National School Lunch Program, SNAP, TANF, federal public housing, LIHEAP, WIC, Head Start or Tribal programs. Other eligible customers include those who received a Pell Grant for the current academic year; those who receive Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI); those who receive a veteran’s pension and survivors’ benefits; and anyone who can show proof that their income falls at or below 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines. Applicants may be required to provide additional documentation to verify their identity, income or participation in a federal program.

Getting connected is just the beginning of any online learning journey. Because many first-time internet users lack the digital literacy skills necessary to make the most of their internet connection, Cox created the Cox Digital Academy.  With free educational videos, tutorials, games and resources, anyone — families, educators, community members, and students of all ages — can sharpen their skills and optimize their learning. Spanish-language resources are also available.

If you or someone you know could benefit from these offerings, visit our website so the only sliding your family is doing this summer is at the park or the pool.