NASHVILLE (AP) - The secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development visited a Nashville high school on Wednesday to tout President Barack Obama's initiative to bring broadband Internet access to students living in public housing.

Julian Castro spoke to students at Stratford High School on Wednesday about the ConnectHome program that is being rolled out in 28 communities around the country, including in Nashville and Memphis.

Castro noted that college and work applications increasingly require forms to be filled out online and that making free or low-cost broadband available in public housing will give students a better chance at succeeding in life.

Obama cited his administration's efforts to improve broadband access for students and low-income Americans in his State of the Union address on Tuesday.