Verizon Bridges the Digital Divide for Middle Schools Across the Country With 24/7 Internet Access, Tablets and Technology Coaches

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., September 5, 2017 /3BL Media/ - Today Verizon Innovative Learning, in partnership with the technology education nonprofit Digital Promise, announced it has added twenty-eight underserved middle schools to its program that equips students and teachers with free mobile devices and two-year data plans for access to the internet both in the classroom and at home.

Launched in 2012, the Verizon Innovative Learning program also provides full-time technology coaches to participating schools for two years, to ensure students are taught how to use these powerful tools responsibly, and teachers are trained to use them effectively in their lessons.

Results from the program during the 2015-16 school year saw 57 percent of students reporting that having the technology makes science more interesting and 47 percent saying they feel more confident in what they can do. More than 28,000 students and 2,500 teachers have participated in the Verizon Innovative Learning program to date.

“It's very challenging for a child to be successful today without access to the internet, technology, or hands-on learning opportunities at school.  This is even more difficult for students in low-income areas who are most affected by the digital divide.” said Justina Nixon-Saintil, Director of Education for the Verizon Foundation. "This initiative is helping teachers transform their classrooms into innovative environments that are providing students with the knowledge and skills they will need to be college and career ready in the future."

The twenty-eight schools joining Verizon Innovative Learning this year include middle schools located in San Jose, CA, Compton, CA, Boston, MA, Houston, TX, Irving, TX, Miami, FL, Pittsburgh, PA, Copperhill, TN and Benton, TN.

Verizon Innovative Learning is the education initiative of the Verizon Foundation. It gives free technology, access and hands-on immersive learning experiences to kids in need to prepare them to thrive in a digital economy. Verizon has committed $160 million to the initiative and has reached more than 300,000 students nationwide over the past five years. This year, Verizon launched #weneedmore, an effort to bring attention to the critical need for more kids to see the world of possibilities waiting for them in STEM fields. Learn more at www.weneedmore.com.

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About Verizon Innovative Learning

Verizon Innovative Learning, the education initiative of the Verizon Foundation, brings technology and hands-on learning opportunities to middle and high school students in underserved schools and communities. We not only fund the programs, but we also create and administer them in partnership with leading nonprofits. We diligently measure the impact of our work and refine our programs to ensure we’re making a difference. We’ve reached more than 300,000 students so far – and we’re just getting started. For more information about Verizon’s philanthropic work, visit www.verizon.com/about/responsibility; or for regular updates, visit Facebook (www.facebook.com/verizonfoundation) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/VZFoundation).