Academic achievement, technology and race: Experimental evidence

Although a large literature explores the achievement gap between minority and non-minority students, very little is known about whether disparities in access to technology are partly responsible. Data from the first-ever field experiment involving the random provision of free computers to low-income community college students for home use are used to explore whether home computers are beneficial to minority students. I find that minority students receiving free computers achieved better educational outcomes than the control group that did not receive free computers. Minority students may have benefitted more from receiving free computers because of fewer alternatives for accessing home computers due to lower rates of computer ownership among family, friends, and relatives. Implications for the achievement gap and policy are discussed.

► A random experiment is used to study the educational effects of home computers for community college students.
► Minority students receiving free computers have better educational outcomes than minority students not receiving free computers.
► Minority students may have benefited more from free computers because of fewer alternatives for accessing home computers.