PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Department of Education, in partnership with the Providence Public Library and the Federal Communication Commission’s Emergency Connectivity Fund, will distribute more than 1,200 Chromebooks directly to eligible adult education learners under long-term loan agreements this spring.
RIDE said the Chromebooks were partially funded from the federal $7.2 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund that was signed into law in March as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. The department said Providence Public Library led the application process, in which it asked for more than $375,500 in ECF funds to purchase the devices. RIDE said that, in turn, it will distribute the devices to lower-skilled Rhode Island adults who otherwise would not have access to such devices.
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RIDE also said that it and the library are also distributing the Chromebooks to help close digital equity gaps in the state.
“Our adult learners are highly motivated adults who are committed to their education but have been hampered by a lack of access to internet connectivity and devices, and have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic,” R.I. Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green said in a statement.
Providence Public Library Executive Director Jack Martin said in a statement these devices will “go a long way” in meeting the challenge of helping many adult learners in the state.
James Bessette is the PBN special projects editor, and also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You may reach him at Bessette@PBN.com. You may also follow him on Twitter at @James_Bessette.
