In an effort to improve equity and use of technology in its schools, the Lincoln County School District will provide a wireless device and free internet connectivity for high school students who do not have reliable Internet access at home.
Beginning in the 2019-20 school year, under an award from the 1Million Project Foundation, 3GB per month of free internet connectivity will be available to high school students at no cost, while no personal information about students or their families can be accessed.
Internet access through www.1millionproject.org is critical for homework, college and career research and applications, financial aid, social services, health care and more to achieve and excel in today’s digital environment.
To determine eligibility for the program, ninth grade students are being surveyed about their use of Internet, and parent permission is then required to participate.
Eligible students will receive:
— A mobile hotspot device;
— 3GB per month of free high-speed LTE data (if usage exceeds 3 GB in a month, unlimited data is available at 2G speeds for the remainder of the month);
— Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) compliant content filter;
— Wireless service for up to four years while still in a participating high school.
The program might be expanded to students in other grade levels if there are devices available. The award provides 50 wireless devices for the 2019-20 school year.
Meanwhile, under the EveryOne:1 program, eligible students in grades 2 through 12 will be assigned their own Chromebook for access to technology that contributes to them being future ready.
Grade 9-12 students will be allowed to take the Chromebook home during the summer. LCSD will charge a $15 technology fee at registration, which will support the maintenance of the nearly 5,000 devices.
The Chromebook has an 11-inch screen and functions as a laptop. If a family is financially stressed, the $15 technology fee might be waived.
More information about technology in LCSD will be posted on the district’s website.
