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School2Home is a pilot program rolling out across California that’s designed to reduce the technology gap between rich and poor. It’s the gap that’s also known as the “digital divide.”
The program started in Southern California’s Los Angeles and Riverside county school districts and has now expanded to Northern California’s Oakland Unified School District.
The problem this program solves is obvious: Work in many classes requires home access to computers and high speed broadband internet. Unfortunately, many low income families can’t afford these tools. So how can those children learn the skills they’ll need in an increasingly technological world if they don’t have access to computers and free high-speed internet? How can they succeed in an increasingly digital future? How can they escape poverty in the 21st century if they only learn to use 20th century tools?
But the program doesn’t begin and end with the students. Far from it. Teachers are trained to integrate technology into their classrooms and lessons. And children can’t get their computers until their parents complete the first of three training sessions.
School2Home has set an ambitious goal: To give computers to more than 500 low-performing middle schools and 400,000 students across California.
If you’re wondering how School2Home can afford such an expensive giveaway, the answer is simple. Generous public and private groups such the California Emerging Technology Fund, L.A. Unified, AT&T, Comcast, Google, IBM and Verizon have all made major contributions. For example, AT&T and Verizon are contributing more than $60 million to get the program off the ground.
Although we certainly appreciate the effort and the money, do not confuse AT&T’s and Verizon’s their contribution with magnanimity. They were actually strong-armed into making thw contributions by the California Public Utilities Commission. The PUC ordered the establishment of the California Emerging Technology Fund and mandated the contributions before it would approve the mergers of SBC and AT&T and Verizon and MCI back in 2005. But no matter what the companies’ motivations may have been, they have pitched in enthusiastically.
And how does School2Home define itself? The organization’s website says, “School2Home recognizes the equal importance of the school and home environments as places for learning, and works to enrich student opportunity by creating stronger connections between the two. Its large scale, evidence-based approach, and public-private partnership make it an unprecedented effort, both in California and nationally.”
As we said at the top of this article, School2Home is currently available only in certain test schools in Los Angeles, Riverside and Oakland, California schools. But we’re confident it will be successful and quickly roll out statewide. We can only hope that others states look at their success and roll out similar programs.
We’re behind you 100%, School2Home. And we’re behind the kids 110%.
Please let us know if we at Cheap Internet can do anything to help.
Program information: School2Home
pam Lewis says
We need laptops or tablets for our elementary age children in Orange County CA as next week on line classes are starting from our homes due to all of the school closures in orange county these are grades kindergarten through sixth grade. The children will be taught via online classes and Nolan can’t afford laptops or tablets and the schools don’t have enough to loan out. We are all in financial desperation due to the coronavirus I can’t tell you how much of us are losing our incomes but our children still need to learn. How can we apply for loaner laptops or tablet
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out EveryoneOn.org for programs available in your area. Good luck, Pam. This moderator spent many years in the OC.
Betty McNew says
Yes I am the first home on Z highway which ******, Gatewood, MO 63942 and my husband lives at the very end which is 300 Post Oak Trail *******. Our children would love to have internet & phone where we live. We are low income and in a rural area. Please help
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
It’s impossible for us to know which low-income internet plans are available in your area, Betty, but you can check them all out at this link to find the one that fits your needs best:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
We’ll tell you right up front that rural residents often have trouble finding internet service, but check them all out carefully and contact the companies to find out who might be able to help you out.
Karma says
I am assisting a high school student enrolled in a independent study program to fit around his work schedule. He is trying hard, but told me yesterday that he is struggling because he doesn’t have a computer at home. He has been trying to get the library and into the schools computer lab as much as possible, but it isn’t enough. I was wondering if you might be able to help, or point me to a different program that might.
Thank you,
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
The simplest way to find out what is available in your area is to visit EveryoneOn.org and plug in your zip code. It will tell you exactly what services are available in your area.
Tino Lalusa says
Is there a program ‘School2home’ in Las Vegas , NV,?..do you have any program thats similar for a friend of mine that lives in Las Vegas …89156 area?…she has 2 kidz in there 13boy and 13girl, twins…there were getting bullied from school, so she took them out of the school which not far from home…the school didnt help either..so, im writting this letter to ask for your help, they are really great kidz…please if you can find time in your schedule to help my friend…
my cell number is 702 936 or email, ********@gmail.com. she doesnt know im writting this letter to help her out. thank you very much…God Bless
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
There are a number of low-income plans available in the Las Vegas area, Tino. You can check them all out at this link:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Kim Kuiper says
Is there a program for computers for kids in Minnesota?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
If you’re just looking for computers and not low-income internet, you should check out this website:
EveryoneOn.org
Just plug in your zip code and it will tell you what services and products are available in your area.
YOLANDA RUBIO says
LOOKING FOR 91325 CHEAP INTERNET. I CURRENTLY DONT GET SNAP IM ON EDD AS OF MAY DUE TO LOSE IN JOB AND I HAVE 2 CHILDREN ONE WHICH IS IN SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM. IM CURRENTLY WITH ATT..I CALLED A TON OF THESE AND NON SEEM TO HELP .. IF SOMEONE CAN PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHICH INTERNET PROVIDER COULD HELP ME.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out our low-income internet page, Yolanda. It lists all the low-income programs currently available.
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Tania says
Will this be available to Colton district san bernandino county ?
I have 2 boys 5th and 8th grade we are at the library after school 3-5 hrs every other day using the computers .. I really need help with this free program and low budget wifi
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Editor’s Note: Colton, California? My old hometown where I lived the first 20 years of my life? Believe it or not, I’m back in town tonight for my high school reunion. Go, Yellowjackets, go!
But now back to business. Here’s what we’d suggest, Tania. Check out this article because it lists all the low-income internet plans available. You’ll need to go through them one-by-one to find out which ones are available in Colton and which ones you’re eligible for.
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Shirlen Dreyer says
I live in Dayton Ohio where can I find free internet service and how do I apply . Thank you very much Shirlen Dreyer
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out list of low-income service providers, Shirlen. Check each of them carefully because they each offer different ways to qualify and they’re each available in different parts of the country:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Susana Cruz says
interested on more information for my two kids need Internet access at home.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out all the programs available here, Susana. There are multiple programs and they each vary in terms of where they’re available and how you qualify:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Doreen Juarez says
My granddaughter is in 5th grade she will be going to Jr high next year like her to have access to a computer and internet please help her mom lives with me no father involved at all thank you
stephanie says
Hi I have a son who just started 8th and one in 4th grade. I am a single mother we live in low income housing, my 8th grader is thriving grades are excellent but my son who is in 4th is struggling very bad . I can not afford a tablet or computer I do not receive no income child support stopped last month. I do get food stamps an I collect recyclabls for to get by. I know u hear this story all the time but we are in need of internet and a tablet or computer. I would like information on programs out there to help me I do let him down load learning apps on my government life line phone but after a couple times the web runs out and we have to wait a whole month and my son can not read or or solve basic math. Please in information in programs out there that can help our family out.
Barbara says
I need help!! Need number to call?
Chenoa Cram says
Hi, my daughter is going into 7th grade and I was wondering how this works and what you have to do to qualify.
Sergio Paredes says
Hello my name is Sergio. I work for Learning for Life Charter School. I’m the Student Support Coordinator. We just moved our student work from textbook to electronic tablets. We need to be able to provide internet access to all of those who can’t afford it. Is there any way our companies can work with each other so our student can receive free internet service or a lower cost to the school. Please email me back or call our office at(831) 582-9820.
sincerely,
Sergio Paredes
Student Support Coordinator
Bronwyn Waltrip says
I am interested in low cost Internet and a computer for my children who are home schooled
lena tyson says
I will like to get this service in my home for my 12 year old he’s in middle school we are on low income programs
Julia motta says
I am not work and i am deaf and my son and my hubby that all i need to house hud ok
sherry says
hi there , my name is sherry here, and have a 9 yr old daughter who just got transferred back to regular school due to her having Chronic asthma..She was diagnosed when she 5 years old and in the first year of kindegarten. and finally got kindegarten, (2 x’s) plus entered 1st grade and was doing homeschool till 2nd. grade.. and so now she will be going into 3rd. she needs a computer to help with her homework, but we cant actually buy one due to being on a way fixed budget of 285 a nonth,, with that i pay bills and and food and we are also lowincome family as well. My daughter needs to have a one on one tutoring to help with math, and doing reaing as well. and thinking maybe a computer can help her .. What do you suggest..? Or do we actually qualify ? I am not working , and have a hearing diability as well .. tank you if you get back with us ..
LAURA says
IM A COLLEGE STUDENT WHO HAD 2 YOUNG CHILDREN IM VERY INTERESTED IN FREE INTERNET SO I CAN DO MY ONLINE CLASSES WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT PICKING UP A SIGNAL….. I WOULD LOVE TO AFFORD THE INTERNET BUT I HAVE NO INCOME WHATSOEVER AND BARELY GETTING BY THANK GOD FOR THE ASSISTANCE I GET FROM MEDICAID AND FOOD STAMPS OR I WOULDN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO… HOW CAN I GET FREE INTERNET OR IS THERE A SUCH THING?
Cheap Internet Administrator says
They should teach college students not to SHOUT in all caps.
For more information, go to:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/get-help
me says
Brilliant.
Phillip says
Do you know of any programs that provide affordable/reduced priced broadband internet to low income individuals, seniors, or disabled persons? It seems the only programs that exist only cater to “families.”
Cheap Internet Administrator says
Internet Essentials
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet/internet-basics
Gina says
“So let me get this straight: The FCC has bollixed negotiations with various companies that have walked away with sweet “approval and merger deals” that benefit a few executives with fabulous golden parachutes, which obligate them to offer “at cost” or slight profit deals to a “select few” “low income” people. That “low income” group doesn’t include ANY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE, or seniors or damned near anyone, EXCEPT for the class of people who uncontrollably and irresponsibly breeds children they can’t afford to take care of and expects the rest of the citizenry to foot the bill for their basic existence, (which is about the only life these children will ever know because they came out of the gate with the genetic short-straw, being from a parent without the sense to breed responsibly and thus likely of low IQ; doomed to grow up in an impoverished educational void for which computer equipment is likely useless and will be sold for beer/liquor/drugs/cigarettes by mom/dad).So let me get this straight: The FCC has bollixed negotiations with various companies that have walked away with sweet “approval and merger deals” that benefit a few executives with fabulous golden parachutes, which obligate them to offer “at cost” or slight profit deals to a “select few” “low income” people. That “low income” group doesn’t include ANY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE, or seniors or damned near anyone, EXCEPT for the class of people who uncontrollably and irresponsibly breeds children they can’t afford to take care of and expects the rest of the citizenry to foot the bill for their basic existence, (which is about the only life these children will ever know because they came out of the gate with the genetic short-straw, being from a parent without the sense to breed responsibly and thus likely of low IQ; doomed to grow up in an impoverished educational void for which computer equipment is likely useless and will be sold for beer/liquor/drugs/cigarettes by mom/dad).”
Yep, you got it. There is no incentive for responsible poor people who forgo breeding in favor of quality of life and the environment.
Concerned Citizen says
So let me get this straight: The FCC has bollixed negotiations with various companies that have walked away with sweet “approval and merger deals” that benefit a few executives with fabulous golden parachutes, which obligate them to offer “at cost” or slight profit deals to a “select few” “low income” people. That “low income” group doesn’t include ANY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE, or seniors or damned near anyone, EXCEPT for the class of people who uncontrollably and irresponsibly breeds children they can’t afford to take care of and expects the rest of the citizenry to foot the bill for their basic existence, (which is about the only life these children will ever know because they came out of the gate with the genetic short-straw, being from a parent without the sense to breed responsibly and thus likely of low IQ; doomed to grow up in an impoverished educational void for which computer equipment is likely useless and will be sold for beer/liquor/drugs/cigarettes by mom/dad).
To further exacerbate the situation, the FCC has managed to EXCLUDE ALL LOW INCOME PEOPLE WHO ARE LOW INCOME AS THE RESULT OF DISABILITIES AND HANDICAPS. So these people, who had the good common sense to not irresponsibly breed children they couldn’t take care of thus saving the taxpayer a small fortune, ARE CLOSED OUT OF THE FCC’s “allocation” of technology. Well HELL, why would anyone in the government want those damned GIMPS to have access to technology at an affordable prices? They have to save that to pimp votes in largely illegal alien communities; one of the VERY FEW GROUPS that continue to drop babies with little regard of how they will support them. Even the traditional \ly recognized “low income” icon: the black underclass, has moved away from spawning hordes of kids they don’t want to deal with and cannot afford. But the government of the US wants those illegal aliens voting someday….and their illegitimate/anchor baby children from as many daddies as mommy gets paid to deal with, because naturally, just like in European contries, the foundation of marriage before child bearing has become”passe'” (OH, and don’t looked so shocked. I live on the border. I”M BARELY GIVING YOU THE TOP LAYER OF THE FILTHY REALITY. You can count on those semi-bilingual anchor babies running amuck and cutting off heads of rival Hispanic gangs in droves over the next few years, after they drop out of school at staggering record numbers at shockingly young ages)
So people ensuring the next low IQ underclass survives in hordes get a free toy to sell off for contraband while they send junior off to the freeway to sell oranges, run drugs or generally fall into the stunningly HIGH percentage of “lost cause kids”, while handicapped people and senior citizens are excluded all because they don’t get “free school lunches”. The FCC actually wrote a program directly targeted at a core of illegal alien children across the country; to hell with the taxpayers and the smattering of citizens who might actually fit the criteria, because clearly the program was targeted at the overwhelmingly catholic & Mexican/South American demographic: a demographic that is throwing school performance ratings all out of kilter all over California, in two languages no less. (perhaps that’s a bigger commentary on the failing school system and it’s administrators who have guaranteed failures across all demographics than it is the children of illegals. Time will tell)
Not to digress: So what exactly do handicapped people have to do to get anyone in government to pay attention to real citizens with real problems, or the elderly that were fighting real wars that actually saved the nation? Go and get knocked up and drop a kid they cant care for? ARE YOU PEOPLE INSANE? The last thing this country needs is a bigger underclass and writing incentives to create that is appalling. What do real citizens who aren’t grabbing free food out of the tax treasury in the form of kiddie lunches have to do to “keep up” with the technology that all your supporting arguments express is your noble cause when in reality there is no means since the narrowly crafted language of eligibility demands a childfor which their adult parent cannot, by your own definition, take care of?
I WANT AN EXPLANATION. I think all of AMERICA DESERVES AN EXPLANATION FOR THIS HUGE STACK OF ONE SIDED CONFISCATION OF CITIZENS TAX DOLLARS THROUGH EXCESSIVE PHONE FEES WHILE GIVING IT AWAY TO INCOMPETENT / RECKLESS AMERICANS AND QUITE FREQUENTLY ILLEGAL ALIENS BORN INTO A GUARANTEED ABUSIVE ENVIRONMENT BY THE VERY DEFINITION THAT CREATES YOUR “ELIGIBILITY” STANDARDS; “A PARENT THAT CANNOT CARE FOR THEM OF THEIR OWN VOLITION AND ABILITY!” And meanwhile, people with difficulties they cannot avoid such as age or health issues are shut out because they were responsible adults and considered their ability to provide for a child before spawning a child.
Granted, responsible people fall on hard times, but the overwhelming majority by a hefty percentage is a permanent underclass whose breeding was for no better reason that to secure free housing and a bigger FOOD STAMP/EBT allotment. If you don’t believe that, go and sit in a homeless shelter and watch one of the habituals with an IQ of about 92 act like they hit the lottery when they find out they are having twins by someone they can’t even name. Or someone who came here from here from the bottom caste from India whose homeless career has been funded through petty theft and sleeping with paroled felons becomes ecstatic when she finds herself finally pregnant by one of said felons and can thus get immediate free housing after years of living in doorways on the street. Seriously, the FCC is contributing to creating a nation of ignorant bastard with no future with a lot of votes to sell but without the reason or desire to even bother to participate in the process, a; while ignoring the truly needy and worthy
Dora Baker says
I’m a single mother, disabled and no longer able to work. My daughter was chosen for National Honor Roll but being in 7th grade the use of a computer and the internet is very important and unfortunately her grade point average dropped a little. We live in San Bernardino County, any idea when this might be approved for us?
Mary says
I am actively attending college classes and interested in the online classes that are offered through the college I attend, due to my conflicting employment and schooling schedules. Is this program strictly for children in grades K-12 and not offered to struggling poor adult college students?
Cheap Internet Administrator says
Mary, it does not include college students, sorry.
francine says
how do we see if are children qualify i live in southernca
Cheap Internet Administrator says
Follow the school2home link and look around.