{"id":120108,"date":"2020-08-11T13:00:32","date_gmt":"2020-08-11T13:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/webdomino.net\/?guid=d9980fab332cda00a4c371dce3e20ee4"},"modified":"2020-08-11T13:00:32","modified_gmt":"2020-08-11T13:00:32","slug":"intel-launches-expanded-initiative-to-help-underserved-students-school-districts-overcome-covid-19-barriers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webdomino.net\/index.php\/intel\/intel-launches-expanded-initiative-to-help-underserved-students-school-districts-overcome-covid-19-barriers\/","title":{"rendered":"Intel Launches Expanded Initiative to Help Underserved Students, School Districts Overcome COVID-19 Barriers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"IntelIntel has convened a partnership group with First Book to launch the\u00a0Creating Learning Connections Initiative<\/a>, which is designed to fuel education by supporting students in Title I-eligible school districts affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program gives underserved students and educators access to critical tools and resources, including internet connectivity, technology devices and hands-on STEAM learning solutions. Additional partners involved in the initiative include CDW-G, LEGO\u00ae\u00a0Education and the LEGO Foundation.<\/p>\n

Recently, First Book released the results of a\u00a0nationwide survey<\/a>\u00a0that shows 40% of children in the United States do not have reliable internet and almost 40% are without access to functioning devices. The closure of schools in response to the pandemic exacerbated an existing crisis in education for children in poverty, millions of whom do not have access to tools and resources that enable virtual learning.<\/p>\n

As part of the initiative, Intel and CDW-G are providing a total of $5 million in personal computers, software, configuration services and digital learning resources. They are also providing stipends of $4,000 to each awarded district to set up home internet connectivity for kids in need. Underserved students\u00a0in\u00a017\u00a0states\u00a0will receive\u00a0support with nearly 15,000\u00a0devices being delivered to\u00a045 school districts.<\/p>\n

\u201cCOVID-19 has exacerbated the technology and educational inequities in communities of need. Now more than ever, it is critical that we come together with partners to combine our unique assets and capabilities to ensure that students have access to a meaningful virtual learning experience,\u201d said Brian Gonzalez, senior director, Global Partnerships and Initiatives,\u00a0Governments, Markets and Trade Group\u00a0at Intel. \u201cEarlier this year, we pledged $50 million with our\u00a0Pandemic Response Technology Initiative<\/a>, which included supporting online learning initiatives like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

The grant application process ran May 19 through June 5. Recipients\u00a0have been notified and will work with First Book, Intel,\u00a0CDW-G,\u00a0LEGO\u00ae\u00a0Education\u00a0and the LEGO Foundation\u00a0to identify the families and resources needed.\u00a0Schools that\u202fwere not\u202fselected will receive\u202f$500\u202ffrom Intel\u202ffor use at the\u202fFirst Book Marketplace<\/a>\u00a0to purchase new, high-quality books and educational resources for their students.<\/p>\n