LCSD Announces Free Internet For Students

Lincoln County School District is proud to share exciting changes to improve equity and use of technology in our schools starting in 2019-20. To start, LCSD has received an

award from the 1Million Project Foundation to provide free internet connectivity for high school students who do not have reliable internet access at home, starting with the 2019-20 school year. This will include a wireless device and 3GB per month of free internet connectivity during the time they are in high school.

There is no cost to students to participate in the 1Million Project and no personally identifiable

information about students or their families will be captured as part of their program

participation. www.1millionproject.org Internet access is critical for homework and for college and career research and applications, financial aid, social services, health care and much more. Participation in this program will give students a tool that has the potential to help them grow, achieve and excel in today’s digital learning environment.

This preparation is essential as we face a dynamic and challenging future work environment.

To determine eligibility for the program, ninth grade students are being surveyed about their use of home internet for homework, and parent permission is then required to participate. The program may be expanded to students in other grade levels if there are devices available.  The award provides 50 wireless devices for the 2019-20 school year.

Eligible students will receive:

·        A mobile hotspot device

·        3GB per month of free high-speed LTE data (If usage exceeds 3 GB in a month, unlimited data is available at 2G speeds for the remainder of the month.)

·        Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) compliant content filter with every device

·        Wireless service for up to four years while still in a participating high school

Beginning in fall 2019, students in grades 2 through 12 will be assigned their own Chromebook. Through the EveryOne:1 program, the district will be very close to providing every student, everyday access to technology that contributes to them being future ready.  Grade 9-12 students are going to be allowed to take the Chromebook home and keep it during the summer. 

The Lincoln County School District will be collecting a $15 technology fee at registration which will support the ongoing maintenance of the nearly 5,000 devices.  The Chromebook has an 11" screen and functions as a laptop.  More information about technology in LCSD and these specific programs will be posted on the website in the near future.  Currently, high school students should expect a survey to determine eligibility for the hotspots.  If a family is financially stressed, the $15 technology fee may be waived.

Information provided by LCSD