Washington, DC - Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF), myCollegeOptions, Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) and other partners will announce the findings from a comprehensive research project aimed at gaining a better understanding of high school students’ views on various topics titled Taking the Pulse of High School Student Experience in America, will be conducted in multiple stages starting with Phase One: Access to Technology.

A briefing is scheduled on Capitol Hill for policymakers and other stakeholders to present and discuss the findings: 2 – 3:45 p.m., April 29, Senate Visitors Center, Room 208 in Washington, DC. FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel and Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-CA) who is a Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee will make remarks. The event will feature a panel of thought leaders moderated by FOSI’s CEO Stephen Balkam and include Roberto Rodríguez, White House Domestic Policy Council as Special Assistant to the President for Education; Dr. Nicol Turner-Lee, VP and Chief Research and Policy Officer for Minority Media Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC); Neil Campbell, Policy Director for Personalized and Blended Learning for Foundation for Excellence in Education; and Rosa Mendoza, Executive Director for Hispanic Technology and Telecommunications Partnership (HTTP).

“While the Taking the Pulse study illustrates the exciting potential the Internet has for the future of education, it also demonstrates the real limitations for students without broadband access at home—because completing basic schoolwork, researching a paper, or applying for scholarships is exceedingly difficult,” FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said. “This study should be the jumping-off point for an important policy conversation: How do we fix this Homework Gap so that we can make it possible for all students to have a fair shot in the digital age?”

Highlights of the study, which has a sample size of over 3,000 students, include:

* Nearly 60 percent of students use their smart phone to access the internet but nearly 80 percent of Hispanic students who do not have regular access to a computer at home use their smart phones to access the internet

* Hispanics and African Americans are mostly likely to use a smart phone to complete a homework assignment

* Overall, nearly 50 percent of all students say they have been unable to complete a homework assignment because they didn’t have access to the internet or a computer (Hispanics report to be most likely to not complete assignment because of lack of access)

* Overall, 42 percent of students feel they received a lower grade on an assignment because they didn’t have access to the internet (Hispanics most likely to feel they received a lower grade)

* Although 97 percent of students say technology makes life easier, more than 40 percent of students answered it makes life harder (isolation and cyberbullying cited among reasons)

* Only 54 percent of students say they feel safe online and 70 percent of students have known someone who has been cyberbullied

* 66 percent of students who posted comments or photos online were concerned how that content would be perceived by colleges, friends, family and employers

* 74 percent of students say they care about the potential effects of their online reputations (Hispanics least likely to say they care)

* Overall, 12 percent of students report they have 1-5 apps, 24 percent 6-10 apps, 20 percent 11-15 apps, and 38 percent more than 16 apps on their smartphones

“’Taking the Pulse’ is a unique study which will turn our ears toward the voices, opinions and guidance of our youth on various topics we believe shape America,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO of HHF. “HHF truly believes in the power of our youth to move America forward and as an organization serving young people, we also believe listening to them on key issues is a critical step in mapping out effective strategies going forward. There is no better place to start with America’s youth than Access to Technology which is Phase One of the study. The findings are eye-opening and will serve to inform not just nonprofits serving youth but also policymakers, educators and the private sector focused on this dynamic consumer base. I’m grateful to myCollegeOptions.org for their partnership and serving as resource not just for students but for organizations and stakeholders serving the needs of our youth.”

Phase Two of the study will focus on Parental Involvement and Education (findings for Phase Two will be available in June). A total of seven phases will complete the study which is an omnibus online survey of students (sampling size nearly 5,000). In parallel with the primary study, HHF, myCollegeOptions.org, and partners will re-examine previous data sets and research findings to uncover new discoveries to drive the student experience forward. Attitudinal Trends of High School Students in America.

About HHF

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit originally established by the White House in 1987, inspires, prepares, positions and connects minority leaders in the classroom, community and workforce to meet America’s priorities. HHF also promotes cultural pride, accomplishment, and the great promise of the community through public awareness campaigns seen by millions. HHF is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Miami (Visit www.HispanicHeritage.org). Follow Hispanic Heritage Foundation on Facebook and @HHFoundation on Twitter.

About FOSI

The Family Online Safety Institute is an international, non-profit organization which works to make the online world safer for kids and their families (visit www.FOSI.org). FOSI convenes leaders in industry, government and the non-profit sectors to collaborate and innovate new solutions and policies in the field of online safety. Through research, resources, events and special projects, FOSI promotes a culture of responsibility online and encourages a sense of digital citizenship for all.

About NRCCUA (myCollegeOptions.org)

NRCCUA® (National Research Center for College & University Admissions™) is a 43-year old membership organization that administers the nation’s largest college planning program, myCollegeOptions® (visit www.nrccua.org and www.myCollegeOptions.org). As a mission driven research organization, it maintains relationships with millions of students, thousands of educators and key educational partners nationwide and develops industry-unique capabilities to connect and engage their constituents.

NRCCUA is considered a premier provider of comprehensive student data, collected early, solely for the purpose of college planning, and maintained throughout the high school lifecycle. Over 1,000 higher education institutions are members.