Five Indianapolis schools from the Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township have joined Verizon Innovative Learning, Verizon’s education initiative addressing barriers to digital inclusion and a key program under Citizen Verizon, the company’s responsible business plan for economic, environmental and social advancement. Verizon reports:
The program provides hotspots with two-year data plans for students who lack reliable internet access at home, as well as on-demand professional learning opportunities for educators, IT implementation support, and a stipend for an instructional liaison to support teachers.
To officially announce the schools’ participation, the district hosted a news conference today at Ben Davis University High School. The event featured remarks from school and district leaders and Verizon representatives.
“This pandemic has clearly exposed inequities in student access to digital content. The MSD of Wayne Township is honored to be the first district in Indiana to be selected for participation in the Verizon Innovative Learning initiative,” said Dr. Jeff Butts, MSD Wayne superintendent. “As a result, we are better able to serve our learners in the school house, at home, or anywhere they are able to access a Verizon signal. And, as Verizon is ‘America’s Most Reliable Network,’ we know that our students will be able to access their coursework and connect with teachers wherever they are. This ability removes a significant barrier for many of our students and allows our educators to more effectively engage them in the curriculum and instruction.”
“This transformative program will help address a significant learning barrier for so many unserved and underserved students by providing access to the technology and resources they need to thrive in a digital world,” said Tupac Hunter, Director of State & Local Government Affairs at Verizon. “Verizon is very proud to help enable students in MSD Wayne Township schools to develop the skills, knowledge and capabilities to pursue their highest ambition and secure a promising future.”
The five Wayne Township schools participating in Verizon Innovative Learning are Ben Davis High School, Ben Davis Ninth Grade Center, Ben Davis University High School, Chapel Hill 7th and 8th Grade Center and Lynhurst 7th and 8th Grade Center. These schools will receive a total of 875 hotspots for students in need of reliable home internet access.
