ConnectED NY

THE OPPORTUNITY

At-home internet access is essential for students to learn, complete homework, and engage in virtual learning. Across New York State, many young students lack the internet service and devices needed to participate in remote learning. The new ConnectED NY program, from Schmidt Futures and the Ford Foundation in partnership with New York State, will provide hotspots and data plans for students in the most economically disadvantaged school districts. Managed by Digital Promise, ConnectED NY is a project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

The New York State Education Department (NYSED)’s Fall 2020 survey of educational institutions suggests that as many as 166,000 students remain without internet access at home. With $10 million in initial funds, ConnectED NY will provide data-enabled hotspots to approximately 50,000 students.

School districts where the percent of students that are economically disadvantaged exceeds the state average are eligible for this program. Funds will be allocated to all requests from the most economically disadvantaged districts in priority order until funding is exhausted. (NYC will be capped initially at 40 percent of the total statewide award.) List of eligible districts in priority order.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Eligible New York school districts will:

1. The deadline for the Intent to Apply has passed. Contactconnectedny@digitalpromise.org with questions.
2. Outreach to Students and Caregivers. Verify connectivity needs, gather address information for coverage and delivery, and collect waivers to release information to AT&T.
3. Secure At-Home Learning Devices. Districts should either: 1) confirm that students who will receive internet already have a dedicated at-home learning device; 2) confirm they have submitted a concurrent Smart Schools Bond Act request for devices; or, 3) have identified an alternative funding source to procure required at-home learning devices.
4. Submit Application with Address Spreadsheet.

Application Materials:
– Optional Flyer for Families/Caregivers (English l 11 translations available)
– Template for Families/Caregivers: Student Interest Form / FERPA waiver document | Spanish version FERPA waiver document
– Address Spreadsheet

*Alternative Internet Service Providers: Districts may include in their program application a request to work with an alternative service provider should AT&T not adequately serve the needs of their students. The alternative service provider may only serve a subset of students, or the entire district. 

In cases where districts have been approved to use an alternative service provider, Digital Promise and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors will work with those districts to determine whether a reimbursement model is required or whether the alternative service provider may be paid directly.

For more information, review our Frequently Asked Questions or email ConnectEDNY@digitalpromise.org