CARES Act to provide free internet to families with kids so they can access classes
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has announced a new K-12 Internet Access program to connect students to their online learning from home.
OSPI has finalized contracts with three internet service providers — Ziply, Presidio and Comcast — which will 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 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 program is reserved for students who are low-income and did not have internet access before August. Eligible students and families should receive an offer or promo code from their school. Families can sign up with a particular provider, install the equipment and will be able to join in the remote learning.
OSPI also will reimburse school districts that have agreements in place with selected service providers.
More information is available on the OSPI website.
This story was originally published October 6, 2020 at 5:45 AM.
