COVID-19 Education Innovations Solution Spotlights in California, Pennsylvania and Louisiana

California, Louisiana, Pennsylvania

Cross-Sector Partnership to Bridge the Digital Divide in California  

To address inequities in student access to computers, technology tools and connectivity, companies, business leaders and philanthropists in California are providing internet access and Chromebooks to hundreds of thousands of households across the state. The coalition of business, philanthropists, the Public Utilities Commission and the State Transportation Agency is a new approach to meeting student needs. 

The California State Transportation Agency is partnering with the City of Sacramento for a 60-day pilot program to outfit transit buses with super hotspots to provide high-speed Internet service to surrounding locations. Lessons learned from the pilot program will be converted into a model for cities throughout California to replicate. 

 

More information:
Governor Newsom Press Release

Pennsylvania Awards Equity Grants to Overcome Gaps in Access to Instructional Materials  

Pennsylvania schools are developing and implementing continuity of education plans for their students. Not all students have access to the equipment or materials that enables them to learn remotely. The Pennsylvania Department of Education will award $5 million in equity grants to help schools overcome gaps in student access to instructional materials. Grant funding may be used for any of the following:  


Lyft to Provide free rides to food distribution sites in New Orleans 

NOLA Public Schools is teaming up with Lyft to provide free rides to and from food distribution sites. Families can use promo code CV19NOLAPS20 to access the Citywide Feeding Program during designated service hours. This program consists of 45 sites across Orleans Parish that ensure families can easily access breakfast and lunch during this prolonged school closure. Since March 16, approximately 660,000 meals and counting have been served to students in Orleans Parish. 

 

Topics:

COVID-19