Georgia Department of Education Technology Case Study

As a nation and as an educational community, we are truly in this together as we respond to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This partnership allows us to come together with other states to leverage buying power and deliver connectivity solutions for our students.
— Richard Woods, Georgia State School Superintendent

Challenge

As the 2020-21 academic year approached, schools in 11 states needed a quick way to enable distance learning
The solution needed to help eliminate the digital divide that occurs when some students have Wi-Fi to access remote learning and others do not
Thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots had to be distributed before the school year started

Solution

The Georgia Sponsor State Distance Learning Initiative with Verizon provides discounted service plans for up to 12.5 million students in 11 states; school districts pay with funds from the federal Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act
Service plans include unlimited 4G LTE Internet access, Mobile Device Management (MDM) and applications that promote compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
Students who need them receive 4G LTE wireless connectivity devices with an unlimited data plan

Outcome

Students can participate in remote learning regardless of whether they have a broadband internet connection at home
School districts have the flexibility to order devices on their own schedules; once inventory is confirmed, Verizon delivers devices in three to five days
Schools can switch from in-class learning to remote as needed
Schools are covered in 11 states: Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia

3-5 days
Delivery time for 4G LTE wireless connectivity devices once inventory is confirmed
12.5 M
Number of K-12 public school students in 11 states that could be covered by the agreement

How we built the solution

Verizon Distance Learning

Give schools the technology they need to connect students, teachers, families and schools.

Verizon Internet Devices

Share your Verizon Wireless connection with laptops, tablets and other devices so they can access the internet.

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