The city of Phoenix and School Connect are teaming up to offer internet-enabled laptops to area schools in order to try to ensure all students have access to vital technology.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the digital divide has become even more difficult for local school districts. One problem is often devices and laptops are returned to schools damaged. As part of this partnership, the city and School Connect will help schools achieve and maintain a 1:1 student-to-teacher device ratio for grades K-12. The Phoenix City Council approved $2 million in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding and School Connect received a $1 million donation from Scottsdale Bible Church to purchase devices for students. These laptops will become the property of the school districts, which will be responsible for issuing, monitoring and maintaining the student devices.
The city of Phoenix has carried out various measures to help tackle the local digital divide including providing devices to families and senior citizens in local housing facilities, as well as expanding mobile Wi-Fi access in the community.
