As another school year begins, the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools (VILS) initiative is excited to welcome its largest cohort ever. Nearly 250 Title I middle and high schools from 50 districts across the country are joining the program in 2021, bringing the total number of schools impacted to 511.
The continued partnership between Digital Promise and Verizon Innovative Learning equips students and teachers at select schools with devices and internet access, as well as professional learning for educators and opportunities to collaborate with a national network of innovative, technology-driven school leaders and educators.
This fall, 101 schools will receive a mobile device with up to a four-year 30GB data plan for every student and teacher, as well as extensive professional development that supports powerful teaching and learning with technology in and out of the classroom. Moreover, 145 schools with existing one-to-one device programs for students will receive hotspots with two-year data plans for students who lack reliable internet access at home.
“Last year showed us how imperative it is that our students have access to technology and the internet—without it, many simply couldn’t attend class or complete their schoolwork,” said Jean-Claude Brizard, president and CEO of Digital Promise. “We are proud to continue our partnership with Verizon to support schools and provide devices and access to the students who need it the most.”
Here’s a closer look at the eighth cohort of Verizon Innovative Learning Schools by the numbers:
246 middle and high schools in Cohort 8 (our largest cohort ever!)
50 school districts in Cohort 8
27 states and Washington, D.C., represented in Cohort 8
16 districts expanding their participation in Cohort 8
101 schools receiving mobile devices for every student and teacher
145 schools receiving hotspots for students who lack reliable home internet access
511 total Verizon Innovative Learning Schools in eight years
34 districts with every eligible middle school participating
432,812 students impacted by VILS since 2014
Learn more about the largest cohort of Verizon Innovative Learning Schools in our press release. Learn more about the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools initiative at verizon.digitalpromise.org.
