The School District of Manatee County is getting technology in the hands of families who need it, in order to help erase 'the digital divide'. Tech4Students is a project led by the school district's Migrant and Information Technology departments.
During last week's Fall Festival at Myakka City Elementary, approximately 100 laptop computers and hotspots were given to families of migrant students. The devices are surplused from T-Mobile.
According to the Deb Estes, Director of ESOL, Migrant and Dual Language Programs, this will be a game-changer to families with limited access to technology. Not only will this benefit migrant students, but many of these students are ESOL (English language learners), members of Project HEART (Helping students in housing transition) or attending Title I schools.
More distributions are being planned throughout the school year. The Migrant department is mobilizing the devices based on student enrollment.