OSPI NEWS RELEASE: K–12 Internet Access Program Allows More Students to Learn from Home

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 10/01/2020 02:17 PM PDT

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K–12 Internet Access Program Allows More Students to Learn from Home

The program, officially launched today, allows students from low-income families to connect to their learning online from home at no cost to them. OSPI will cover the costs of internet connectivity for eligible students for the remainder of the 2020–21 school year.

OLYMPIA—October 1, 2020—In mid-August, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) announced a new program to connect students to their online learning from home.

This week, OSPI finalized contracts with three internet service providers—Ziply, Presidio, and Comcast—to provide the service to up to 60,000 students and their families through the end of the 2020–21 school year at no cost to the family. The program is reserved for students who are low-income and did not have internet access before August 2020.

Steps to Participate in the K-12 Internet Access Program

To participate in the program, potentially eligible families should receive information, including a promo/offer code from a provider, from their local school district. Families may also contact their district to request information. OSPI is compiling a list with a contact person for this program at each district.

Families will sign up with the provider, install the equipment, and then be able to connect to remote learning.

OSPI will also reimburse school districts who have similar agreements in place with internet service providers in their community.

The funding for the program comes from the federal CARES Act. To help with COVID-related costs, Congress provided $195 million to Washington’s school districts and $21 million to OSPI for statewide coordination and support. The $195 million has already been provided to districts to address COVID-related needs.

Of the $21 million provided to OSPI, $8.8 million will support this connectivity initiative. The other nearly $12 million is being used for educator professional learning as well as grants to community-based organizations to support students most impacted by the disruption of in-person learning.

For More Information

About the K–12 Internet Access Program
Contact Person for Families at Each School District (spreadsheet – in progress)
Available Internet Service Providers by School District (spreadsheet)

ALL STUDENTS PREPARED FOR POST-SECONDARY PATHWAYS, CAREERS, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington state. Our mission is to provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives.

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OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Equity and Civil Rights Director, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200, 360-725-6162 (TTY: 360-664-3631), equity@k12.wa.us.