Kendall Williams
Kendall Williams
Creative Assistant
Back for its third year, KCPS will continue its work as a Digital Promise/Verizon Innovative Learning initiative school district, now with 14 of its schools contributing as program participants. Four new KCPS campuses will additionally join the initiative this fall, KCPS Public Relations Coordinator Shain Bergan shared. Students and staff at KCPS participating schools receive free iPads and free data plans — so learning can continue at home regardless of WiFi access — and on-site digital learning coaches who work with teachers to enhance classroom learning through technology.
Digital Promise is a global, nonprofit organization, which works to expand learning opportunities for every student. In operation since 2011, this program gained its initial financial support from the U.S. Department of Education and various additional funders including Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Over its 14 years, the learning initiative has gone on to serve over 4.4 million students across 27 countries — including those attending select KCPS locations — according to its website. It’s Verizon Innovative Learning is an award-winning, education initiative, now in its 13th year.
This program works to support digital equity, while addressing digital inclusion barriers for students and teachers nationwide. Through providing free technology and internet access to learning institutions, this program has allowed students across the U.S. to develop additional skills and resources for innovative learning. Digital Promises’s goal with its Verizon Innovative Learning, according to its website, is to teach 10 million students digital skills by 2030.
Working to aid families in lower-income tax brackets, all schools and districts who are learning initiative members receive mobile devices and connectivity. It is this access, which the initiative believes will help to assist students with long-term professional development as well as establish inclusive, digital learning in preparation for future academic and career opportunities.
KCPS will host device distribution events as students return to campus, including at Southeast High School (3500 E. Meyer Blvd.), where families can pick up devices and receive hands-on tech support.
For additional information on KCPS or on the Verizon Learning initiative visit: https://www.kcpublicschools.org/, https://digitalpromise.org/.
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