Starkville Schools Aim To Make Computers More Accessible
Starkville, MS – A Major Boost to Home Learning
As a bold step towards making learning more accessible to all students, Starkville Oktibbeha County School District is planning to provide free computers for homes. This ambitious program is targeted at low-income families and homes without a computing device, especially those with children between kindergarten and seventh grade.
The district recently received a large grant courtesy of the “Emergency Connectivity Fund,” which allowed for the acquisition of a little over 2,100 Chromebooks. This initiative marks a significant advancement in leveling the educational playing field by removing tech access barriers for students within the community.
Selection Process
The district isn’t just randomly dispersing devices to families. There’s a meticulous application process in place to ensure the devices end up in the hands of those who lack them at home. The selection process ensures that the initiative achieves its objective by closing the tech divide within the district.
The Chromebooks will further be distributed during a special Distribution Day event to be held at all kindergarten through seventh-grade schools on August 21st.
Impact of the Initiative
“We know there’s a lot of boys and girls at home that may not have a device,” shared Superintendent Tony McGee. “Having that available at home will allow them to do their homework and access some of their assignments comfortably. We’ve also installed a lot of the educational software the children use during the school day on these computers, so we’re hoping they’ll get the chance to practice these applications at home as well. We are thankful and blessed to have this opportunity for our students and we hope it makes a positive impact at home.”
These new tools won’t be that different from what the students are used to. The Chromebooks come pre-loaded with the same educational software and applications students use on the devices provided to them at school. This ensures a seamless transition and means that learners can hit the ground running.
Summary
This initiative seeks to bridge the gap between students who have access to academic resources and those that don’t, thanks to the generous grant from the “Emergency Connectivity Fund.” With over 2,100 Chromebooks on board for distribution, the Starkville Oktibbeha County School District aims to usher in a new era of home learning, seamlessly blending classroom and home study for students up to seventh-grade.
This is an excellent leap forward for the region as it not only benefits the students but also extends to their families, and it’s especially crucial now, considering the significant shift towards digital learning platforms.
