Digital Promise and Verizon today announced that 34 Title 1 middle and high schools from nine districts across the country will join the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program in the fall. Through the continued partnership between Digital Promise and Verizon, the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program works side-by-side with schools and districts to get internet-connected devices into the hands of students and to enhance how teachers use technology in the classroom through dedicated coaches, professional development, and community building, with an ultimate goal of sustainable digital access throughout the school district.
The 12th cohort expands the initiative’s reach to 660 schools in 120 school districts across 39 states and Washington, D.C.
Schools with a 65 percent or higher free and reduced-price lunch population are eligible for Verizon Innovative Learning Schools; however, 83 percent of students in this cohort qualify for free and reduced-price lunch.
“Access to digital technology is foundational to preparing all students for future success,” said Jean-Claude Brizard, president and CEO of Digital Promise. “We are proud that our partnership with Verizon enables us to further our efforts to support students, teachers, and schools with not just access to technology and connectivity, but also ongoing professional development to use that technology for powerful teaching and learning.”
Participating schools receive free mobile devices (either tablets or laptops) with up to a four-year Verizon data plan for every student and teacher. Teachers gain access to extensive professional development that supports powerful teaching and learning with technology in and out of the classroom. In addition, these schools receive a subsidy toward a full-time technology coach to support teachers with effectively integrating technology into learning.
“Verizon Innovative Learning Schools continues to have a significant impact on building teacher confidence, enhancing educator job satisfaction, and strengthening tech use in the classroom,” said Alex Servello, associate vice president of responsible business at Verizon. “We are thankful for this partnership with Digital Promise and the rigorous support this program provides to students and educators.”
As part of Verizon’s commitment to digital inclusion under the company’s responsible business plan, Verizon Innovative Learning is driving academic improvements. Eighty percent of teachers reported they felt more confident leveraging technology in teaching because of Verizon Innovative Learning Schools, and 80 percent said the program increased student engagement.
The 34 new Verizon Innovative Learning Schools comprising the program’s 12th cohort are:
- Allentown School District (PA): Building 21 Allentown; Harrison-Morton Middle School; Raub Middle School; South Mountain Middle School; Trexler Middle School
- Bastrop Independent School District (TX): Bastrop Middle School; Cedar Creek Middle School
- Chicago Public Schools (IL): Chicago Vocational Career Academy; Collins STEAM Academy; Langston Hughes Elementary School
- Compton Unified School District: Bursch Elementary School; Emerson Elementary School; Kelly Elementary School
- Dove Schools (OK): Dove School of Discovery; Dove Science Academy High School Oklahoma City; Dove Science Academy High School South Oklahoma City; Dove Science Academy High School Tulsa; Dove Science Academy Middle School Oklahoma City; Dove Science Academy Middle School South Oklahoma City; Dove Science Academy Tulsa; Dove Virtual Academy
- Kansas City Public Schools (MO): Lincoln Middle School; Manual Career and Technical Center; Southeast High School; Success Academy at Anderson
- LISA Academy Public Charter Schools (AR): LISA North Middle-High School; LISA West High School; LISA West Middle School
- Orange Public Schools (NJ): Cleveland Street School; Rosa Parks Community School
- Vineland Public Schools (NJ): Edward Johnstone School; Sgt. Dominick Pilla Middle School; Thomas Wallace Middle School; Veterans Memorial Middle School
For more information, visit the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools website.
About Digital Promise
Digital Promise is a global, nonpartisan nonprofit working to expand opportunity for every learner. We work with educators, researchers, technology leaders, and communities to design, investigate, and scale innovations that support learners, especially those who’ve been historically and systematically excluded. Our vision is that every person engages in powerful learning experiences that lead to a life of well-being, fulfillment, and economic mobility. For more information, visit the Digital Promise website and follow @digitalpromise for updates.
About Verizon Innovative Learning
Verizon Innovative Learning, Verizon’s award-winning education initiative, is celebrating over a decade of commitment to addressing barriers to digital inclusion for students and teachers. Since 2012, the program has committed over $1 billion in market value to support digital equity, reaching over 8.5 million students. Verizon Innovative Learning provides free technology, internet access and emerging technology-infused learning programs to students in under-resourced communities—enabling students to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to build an innovative workforce of the future. In 2021, Verizon launched Verizon Innovative Learning HQ, a next-gen online education portal that provides free access to immersive extended reality (XR) educational experiences to all educators, including K–12 teachers, nationwide. A key program under the company’s responsible business plan, Verizon Innovative Learning is helping to achieve the company’s goal to provide 10 million youths with digital skills training by 2030. Learn more at citizenverizon.com.