Avon Grove, Other Schools Get Wi-Fi, Internet Connection Free

WEST CHESTER, PA — A new school year has launched, but last year's "homework gap" that leaves students without an internet connection at home remains a setback for some in Chester County and nearby.

AT&T said it is breaking down barriers to remote learning for students through free connectivity solutions as it announced its part in getting almost 800 free Wi-Fi hotspots and free internet connectivity to schools in need. The communications giant will work with Connected Nation to bring internet to students who might otherwise fall behind.

Four schools in southeastern Pennsylvania, including two in Chester County and one each in Delaware and Montgomery Counties, received the connectivity in a program called Connected Nation that works with providers like AT&T.

The schools benefitting from the program here are:

• Valley Youth House in West Chester.
• Avon Grove School District in Chester County.
• Elwyn Davidson School in Elwyn, in Delaware County.
• Fairwold Academy at Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) in Fort Washington in Montgomery County.

They are part of more than 100 organizations and school districts that are benefiting from a $10 million commitment first announced last year to provide free internet subscriptions and wireless hotspots to 35,000 vulnerable students across the country, according to a news statement from AT&T.

Joseph Lynch, Vice President of Development and Marketing, Valley Youth House, said, "Valley Youth House has been providing housing and educational resources for at-risk youth across Southeastern Pennsylvania since 2005. Valley Youth House is excited to partner with AT&T to address the lack of connectivity in underserved populations to ensure every young person can achieve their desired future."

Avon Grove School District Director of Technology Dr. Jason Kotch explained that Grove School District partnered with AT&T during the 2020-21 school year while students were attending the Online Academy, engaging through video conferencing, and the district's learning management system.

"We are excited to add Connected Nation to this partnership and to continue supporting families in our community who do not have access to broadband internet in their homes. This will be a positive impact that will greatly benefit our students as they grow into future-ready learners," Kotch said.

An estimated 17 million K-12 students nationwide currently lack access to the connectivity and devices required for successful online learning. While this homework gap is not new, the pandemic has heightened the challenges — most acutely in rural and under-resourced neighborhoods, where the effects disproportionately impact 1 in 3 students of color, as well as students with disabilities, and roughly 10 percent of all public-school teachers, AT&T said.

Whether students are learning remotely or in the classroom, having access to affordable high-speed internet and devices is a non-negotiable for successful learning outcomes, the company stated.

David Kerr, president, AT&T Pennsylvania, said, "These schools serve some of the most at-risk students in Southeastern Pennsylvania. By helping to expand connectivity for the students, we can play a role in narrowing the homework gap and helping address inequities associated with virtual learning."

Connected Nation Chairman and CEO Tom Ferree said, "What makes this program so critical is that it seeks to help students who have been disproportionately disconnected from formal learning opportunities due to COVID-19. The investment being made through the AT&T K-12 homework gap program will not only allow these kids to fully participate in remote learning now, but also to catch up on learning lost during the pandemic."

Ferree added, "We must all work together to minimize and mitigate the impact that the pandemic has had on our most vulnerable youth."

Maria Kreiter, Executive Director of Fairwold Academy at PHMC, said, "Fairwold Academy at PHMC is grateful to AT&T for prioritizing the virtual connection and learning opportunities for students in our region. The sensitivity brought to this initiative and the need to stay engaged is more important than ever for our students who face a wide range of emotional, behavioral and intellectual challenges."

Charles McLister, Elwyn CEO said, "Elwyn is honored to be the recipient of this meaningful award from AT&T, which will allow our students at the Davidson School to stay connected during these ever-changing times. This partnership will help to ensure successful learning outcomes for our students."

AT&T said it is expanding wireless affordability and flexibility for all schools in its service with unlimited wireless data plans that include content filtering services to support online safety protocols. More information about the offer can be found here.

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