Digital Promise and Verizon partnership celebrates 10th anniversary, providing free technology, internet access, and professional development to select Title 1 middle and high schools nationwide.
March 15, 2023 | Washington, D.C. – Digital Promise and Verizon today announced that 32 Title 1 middle and high schools from 11 districts across the country will join the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program’s 10th cohort in the fall. This cohort marks the 10th anniversary of the partnership between Digital Promise and Verizon for the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program, which equips students and teachers at select schools with free technology devices and internet access. In addition, all Verizon Innovative Learning Schools receive access to professional learning and opportunities to collaborate with a national network of innovative, technology-driven school leaders and educators.
The new cohort expands the program’s reach to 593 schools in 105 school districts across 38 states and Washington, D.C., over the last 10 years.
“We are so proud to celebrate 10 years of transforming education in partnership with Verizon by welcoming this new cohort of schools,” said Jean-Claude Brizard, president and CEO of Digital Promise. “As we work to advance digital equity, Digital Promise is committed to supporting learners from historically and systematically excluded communities. The Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program is about more than just giving devices and internet to the students who need it the most; we also provide access to powerful learning experiences by supporting teachers, schools, and districts on how to leverage the technology in meaningful ways.”
Title I schools with a 65 percent or higher free and reduced-price lunch population are eligible for the program; however, 82 percent of students in this cohort of Verizon Innovative Learning Schools qualify for free and reduced-price lunch.
Participating schools receive free mobile devices (either tablets or laptops) with up to a four-year Verizon data plan for every student and teacher. Teachers gain access to extensive professional development that supports powerful teaching and learning with technology in and out of the classroom. In addition, these schools receive a subsidy toward a full-time technology coach to support teachers with effectively integrating technology into learning.
“We are thrilled to expand the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program to a 10th cohort, supporting Verizon’s longstanding digital inclusion efforts,” said Alex Servello, director of corporate social responsibility at Verizon. “This program builds toward sustainable change, working with all levels of each school district on how to meaningfully leverage technology in support of student learning. We are grateful to continue to partner with Digital Promise on this impactful program.”
As part of Verizon’s commitment to digital inclusion under Citizen Verizon, the company’s responsible business plan for economic, environmental, and social advancement, Verizon Innovative Learning is driving academic improvements. Eighty-eight percent of Verizon Innovative Learning Schools teachers reported that the program helped them explore new ways of teaching, and 81 percent said the program enhanced student engagement. Additionally, 88 percent of teachers reported that the program allowed for more individualized instruction in their classrooms.[1]
The 32 new Verizon Innovative Learning Schools comprising the program’s 10th cohort are:
For more information, visit the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools website.
About Digital Promise
Digital Promise is a global nonprofit working to expand opportunity for every learner. We work with educators, researchers, technology leaders, and communities to design, investigate, and scale innovations that support learners, especially those who’ve been historically and systematically excluded. Our vision is that every person engages in powerful learning experiences that lead to a life of well-being, fulfillment, and economic mobility. For more information, visit the Digital Promise website and follow @digitalpromise for updates.
About Verizon Innovative Learning
Verizon Innovative Learning, Verizon’s award-winning education initiative, is celebrating over a decade of commitment to addressing barriers to digital inclusion for students and teachers. Since 2012, the program has committed $1 billion in market value to support digital equity, reaching over 3 million students. Verizon Innovative Learning provides free technology, internet access and emerging technology-infused learning programs to students in under-resourced communities—enabling students to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to build an innovative workforce of the future. In 2021, Verizon launched Verizon Innovative Learning HQ, a next-gen online education portal that provides free access to immersive extended reality (XR) educational experiences to all educators, including K–12 teachers, nationwide. A key program under Citizen Verizon, the company’s responsible business plan for economic, environmental and social advancement, Verizon Innovative Learning is helping to drive the company’s goal to provide 10 million youths with digital skills training by 2030. Learn more at citizenverizon.com.
[1] Source: Westat (2019).Verizon Innovative Learning Schools Survey Result Dashboard Dec 2019
Press Contact:
Jessica Schuler
Digital Promise
410-598-9848
jschuler@digitalpromise.org
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