Comcast is expanding the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) K-12 Internet Access Program, designed to connect students in need to internet access at home. Now more than 50,000 low-income student households across 75 school districts statewide are eligible to receive Comcast’s Internet Essentials high-speed broadband service (25/3 Mbps) for up to the remainder of the 2020/2021 school year.
“Now more than ever, all of our students should have access to reliable internet at home,” said Chris Reykdal, Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction. “I’m thankful for our partnership with Comcast and their work to get as many students connected as possible.”
Since the Washington K–12 Internet Access Program launch on Oct. 1, 39 additional school districts in the Comcast service area have joined the public-private partnership. This makes an additional 15,000 students eligible to take advantage of Internet Essentials, a Comcast program helping low-income students acquire access to the internet to connect to their learning online from home. Comcast has worked with the state office to ensure students in our footprint can get access to this program and that they can utilize Comcast internet services.
Funding for Washington’s K–12 Internet Access Program comes from the federal CARES Act. To help with COVID-related costs, Congress provided $195 million to Washington’s school districts and $21 million to OSPI for statewide coordination and support. The $195 million has already been provided to districts to address COVID-related needs. For more information, visit: https://www.k12.wa.us/about-ospi/press-releases/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-resources/k%E2%80%9312-internet-access-program