OVERLAND PARK, Kan.,
Oct. 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Sprint
(NYSE: S) and the 1Million Project Foundation announced today that
Shelby County Public Schools will
receive a grant valued at more than $160,000 to connect 160 high school students who
don't already have access to the internet at home. The district
will receive an in-kind donation to give each eligible student a
free mobile hotspot and 10GB of high-speed wireless data access per
month.
The 1Million Project Foundation launched in August 2017 with a mission to help one million
high school students achieve their full potential by ensuring they
have the digital tools and connectivity they need to succeed in
school. During the past two school years, the initiative has
connected a total of 226,000 students total at over 1,900 high
schools in 33 states with internet access and devices. The
foundation expects more than 70 new school districts and more than
100,000 high school students nationwide to join the initiative in
its third year.
"Shelby County is the first
district in the State of Kentucky
to join the 1Million Project, and we are looking forward to making
an impact this school year and in the future," said Doug Michelman, president of the 1Million
Project Foundation. "Teachers today are using video games, apps and
social media to connect with and teach students. And, motivated
students want to explore areas that interest them on their own
time. None of this is possible without reliable, consistent
internet access at home. Students whose families cannot afford
internet connectivity are at a severe disadvantage. With the
support of Sprint, we are working hard to make a meaningful impact
in eligible students' lives by providing both a device and
connectivity to help level the playing field."
Right here in the U.S., there are more than five million
families with school-aged kids who do not have home internet
access.1 Unfortunately, this means that millions of
students lack the devices and connectivity needed to have an equal
shot at success.
"We are excited for this opportunity for our students. As a 1:1
district, our students living in rural areas without internet
connections, will be able to connect for homework, activities, and
to use our new digital data dashboard, Empower, which communicates
grades and progress with families," said Jill Tingle, Chief Operations Officer,
Shelby County Public Schools.
Each participating student in the program will receive either a
free smartphone or hotspot device and 10GB of high-speed LTE data
per month for up to four years while they are in high school.
Unlimited data is available at 265 kbps speeds if usage exceeds
10GB in a month. Every device has a Free Children's Internet
Protection Act (CIPA) compliant content filter to block adult
content and malware. Students who receive a smartphone receive
unlimited domestic voice and text while on the Sprint network and
may also use it as a hotspot.
In a survey of those who participated in the first year of the
program, the vast majority of students (84%) said the 1Million
Project made it easier for them to complete more of their homework
in a comfortable, convenient, and safe place. Looking forward, 74%
said they are more willing to work hard to graduate from high
school. And, 68% said they are more likely to go to college.
Administrators reported improved attitudes toward learnings,
homework completion rates and school attendance among students.
Schools or districts who want to apply for the fourth year of
the program, which begins with the 2020-2021 school year, can visit
www.1millionproject.org to learn more. Applicants will receive a
response by spring 2020.
Anyone looking to support the program can visit
1millionproject.org/donate to make a donation via credit
card.2
About The 1Million Project Foundation:
The 1Million
Project Foundation will help 1 million high school students who do
not have reliable Internet access at home reach their full
potential by giving them mobile devices and free high-speed
Internet access. Today's learning environment requires 24/7
internet access in order to study, learn, explore and complete
school work from home. Students that cannot connect when they leave
school are at disadvantage, and their chances of staying on track
in school are greatly limited. By working with school districts
across America, the 1Million Project seeks to remove a significant
hurdle in these students' lives by ensuring they have the same
access to the internet as any other student so that they too have a
fair shot at achieving their full potential. For more information,
visit www.1MillionProject.org.
About Sprint:
Sprint (NYSE: S) is a communications
services company that creates more and better ways to connect its
customers to the things they care about most. Sprint served 54.3
million connections as of June 30,
2019 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering
and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless
4G service from a national carrier in the
United States; leading no-contract brands including Virgin
Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and
Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk
capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Today,
Sprint's legacy of innovation and service continues with an
increased investment to dramatically improve coverage, reliability,
and speed across its nationwide network and commitment to launching
a 5G mobile network in the U.S. You can learn more and visit Sprint
at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and
www.twitter.com/sprint.
1 The Pew Research Center
(http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/04/20/the-numbers-behind-the-broadband-homework-gap/)
2
Cash donations for the 1Million Project Foundation are
tax-deductible charitable contributions.
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SOURCE Sprint