Information and Resources Related to Increasing Internet Connectivity

Educational leaders are struggling to provide internet connectivity to as many students as possible. Here are ways districts are working to do so:

Providing Hot Spots

Districts are placing orders for hot spots.  However, because demand is so high many of these orders are not being filled in a timely way. Some carriers, including T-mobile, are removing all functions of some of their entry-level cell phones or old unused phones and stripping them down to a hot spot only. These would be available sooner but might be best suited for smaller orders. Districts need to purchase the cell phone ($75) and the carrier plan. Other carriers are doing similar things and some organizations may have old cell phones around that could accomplish this.

Communicating Internet Provider Access Offers to Families

Districts are communicating far and wide to families about options to get connected for 'free' or to call their current cell carriers and ask for increased data limits. Many families are taking advantage of these offers.  Click here for current offers for internet and portable access.  Please note some districts have had great success with their local/small telephone company.

Providing Safe Opportunities to Use District Internet

Many schools and libraries are making Wi-Fi available to the public via their parking lots for drive-up connectivity.  This mapping tool is for families to identify the nearest drive up public Wi-Fi location.  If your district would like to be included on the map, simply fill out this survey.

Districts Receiving Money By May 1 to Help Connect Students

The DPI received a special $5.25 million fund allocation from the Common School Fund to assist students in accessing digital resources amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The money will be sent to public school districts by May 1. For more information, and for a full news release, visit here.

Has Your District Had Success Increasing Students Internet Access?

If your district has had success increasing student access please take a moment to complete this form to help your colleagues do the same.