ConnectED Partners Pledge $2 Billion Toward K-12 School Technology Needs

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In June 2013, President Obama unveiled the ConnectED initiative to “enrich K-12 education for every student in America.” In February 2014, the President announced more than $750 million in commitments from seven private sector companies to deliver cutting-edge technologies to the classroom. Subsequently, three additional companies have made similar substantial commitments (in February 2014 and May 2014), bringing the total value of private sector commitments to over $2 billion.

SETDA is committed to ensuring that the needs identified in the launch of the ConnectED initiative are addressed through meaningful federal actions in concert with public-private partnerships. To that end, SETDA is pleased to announce that we will be hosting two public events to showcase the commitments being made by participating companies and to offer the opportunity for dialogue with company representatives about their commitments.

Back to School Private Sector Webinar

On Thursday, September 11, 2014, SETDA hosted a ConnectED Back-to-School Webinar that was a follow up to ConnectED Private Sector Showcase, conducted June 28 in Atlanta, GA.

During the webinar, ConnectED companies described their ConnectED offerings and provided updates on how educators and school leaders can take advantage of their programs.

ConnectED Private Sector Showcase

On Saturday, June 28th, 2014, SETDA invited representatives from the U.S. Department of Education and all ten of the participating companies that have committed resources to ConnectED to share information about this initiative and their commitments.  Below is the presentation to learn more.

Participating Companies

Adobe

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Company Description: Adobe is changing the world through digital experiences. Adobe is the global leader in digital marketing and digital media solutions. Our tools and services allow our customers to create groundbreaking digital content, deploy it across media and devices, measure and optimize it over time, and achieve success.

ConnectED Commitment: Adobe believes creativity is essential for students, for teachers, and for schools. Adobe has committed over $300 million in software and professional development services to the White House’s ConnectED initiative. As part of this $2 billion+ effort from the private sector, Adobe will deliver creative tools and teacher professional development to schools across the United States — all with the goal of helping youth express their creativity and build their digital skills for future success. Applications are now being accepted on a rolling basis.

For More Information: http://edex.adobe.com/connected

Further details may be available at the White House ConnectED hub

Apple

Company Description: Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, the Mac and Apple Watch. Apple’s three software platforms — iOS, OS X and watchOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud. Apple’s 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.

ConnectED Commitment: Apple has pledged $100 million in iPads, MacBooks, and other products along with content and professional development to enrich learning in disadvantaged schools, including interactive learning tools and ongoing support that can have a profound impact for students and teachers in the communities that need it most.

For More Information:  http://www.apple.com/education/connectED/

For More Information: Further details may be available at the White House ConnectED hub

AT&T

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Company Description: AT&T provides innovative solutions to enhance the delivery and administration of K-12 education. AT&T can help to mobilize teaching and learning, secure the learning environment, optimize network performance and develop campus mobility applications. We deliver secure, high-speed access to 21st century teaching and learning applications over one of the worlds most advanced and powerful backbone networks.

ConnectED Commitment: AT&T has pledged $100 million to this initiative. The funds will provide 50,000 middle and high school students in Title 1 schools free Internet connectivity for educational devices over their wireless network for three years. AT&T’s mobile broadband service will enable students to utilize tablets and potentially other mobile devices for educational purposes that support student learning in new and more effective ways. The company will provide:

  • 4G mobile broadband data services for student access to learning-based websites, applications, and services;
  • Mobile device management to support tracking and usage of devices;
  • Security software to protect access, safety and security of students;
  • Solution integration for schools to support device configuration, logistics and care services; and
  • Training for teachers and administrators on effective ways to integrate this solution into classrooms and learning. We welcome middle and high schools to learn more and to apply to receive AT&T broadband services as part of this program.

To learn more about the criteria for applicants and to apply, we invite you to take a look at this Connected Nation website: http://www.connectednation.org/attaspire. Connected Nation is an independent, non-profit organization focused on promoting the power of broadband and related technology to energize the economy, transform communities, and improve lives. The organization will administer the application and selection process on behalf of AT&T.

For More Information: http://about.att.com/csr/aspire/connected

  • Kevin CarmanDirector, Education Segment Marketing |  [email protected] |  404-927-5005
  • Richard Marvin,  Channel Marketing Manager, Education|  [email protected]  | 214-647-2086

Further details may be available at the White House ConnectED hub

Autodesk

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Company Description: Autodesk helps people imagine, design and create a better world. Everyone—from design professionals, engineers and architects to digital artists, students and hobbyists—uses Autodesk software to unlock their creativity and solve important challenges. For more information visit autodesk.com/education or follow @autodeskedu.

ConnectED Commitment: Autodesk, a world leader in 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software extends $250 million in its commitment to U.S. secondary schools through the Autodesk Design the Future program to support President Obama’s ConnectED initiative. Autodesk’s Design the Future program empowers U.S. secondary schools by providing free* access to Autodesk 3D design software, curricula aligned to national standards, e-Training, and certification. Thousands of schools have registered for the program to support STEAM education.  Register now: www.autodesk.com/designthefutureus.

For More Information: www.autodesk.com/designthefutureus

Further details may be available at the White House ConnectED hub

Esri

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Company Description: Esri is a GIS company. We build software for making maps and analyzing data, on computers and in the cloud. Esri GIS tools are used in all walks of life, around the world, from agriculture to law enforcement to climate change and everywhere between. Using computers to analyze data and create dynamic maps helps people understand complex conditions, make better decisions, use resources carefully, preserve the most critical, and support more sustainable patterns. Geography matters, and we make software for computers large and small to help people understand it.

ConnectED Commitment: Esri offers to all US K12 schools (public, non-public, and homeschool) a professional ArcGIS Online Organization subscription, plus instructional materials, links to mentors, and connection to a community of GIS-using educators. These accounts let students and educators investigate the world with unlimited content from professionals; build, save, and share maps about any topic; design and program custom apps; conduct robust analyses; and access content anytime, anywhere, on any connected device. These are powerful learning environments for high schools, middle schools, and even elementary schools. Getting started is easy, and many GIS professionals around the country are anxious to help local schools use GIS.

For More Information: http://connected.esri.com

  • Charlie Fitzpatrick, Schools Program Manager | [email protected] | 651-994-0823 x.1-8349

Further details may be available at the White House ConnectED hub

Microsoft

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Company Description: Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services, and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. At Microsoft, we are deeply committed to working with governments, communities, schools and educators to use the power of information technology to deliver technology, services and programs that provide anytime, anywhere learning for all. Since 2003, Microsoft has partnered with educators to impact more than 207 million students in 119 countries to date. For more information: http://www.microsoft.com/education.

ConnectED Commitment: Together with our Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) partners, Microsoft created a new offer to all U.S. K-12 public schools to connect 99 percent of America’s students to the digital age within five years. We’ve designed this offer to include options for schools of all sizes and with varying levels of need for technology and services. In addition, because the devices included in the offer are available at a lower price point, cost is much less of a barrier for schools that want to give their students the best technology has to offer. We believe that schools across the U.S. need more than a single offer and reduced prices to benefit beyond cloud services and devices; they also need access to programs and resources in order to meet the needs of our students and our future. The offer includes:

For More Information: Districts and schools are encouraged to contact their local technology reseller or Microsoft representative today to get started. For email requests please contact: [email protected]

Further details may be available at the White House ConnectED hub

Prezi

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Company Description: Prezi is a cloud-based presentation platform that helps you connect more powerfully with your audience. Unlike slides, Prezi’s open, zoom-able canvas lets you show relationships between the big picture and fine details, putting your ideas in context. Your message is more likely to resonate, motivate, and be remembered, whether you’re delivering a sales pitch to a high-value client or a TED Talk to the world’s foremost thinkers. Founded in 2009, and with offices in San Francisco and Budapest, Prezi now fosters a community of over 40 million users and over 120 million prezis around the world. With investors including TED Conferences and Accel Partners, Prezi is in the business of making presenters great.

ConnectED Commitment: Prezi is providing $100 million in four-year Edu Pro licenses for Title 1 high schools and all Title 1 K-12 educators across America, to give them tools to create memorable and engaging presentations.

For More Information: https://prezi.com/connected

Further details may be available at the White House ConnectED hub

Safari Books Online

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Company Description: Safari Books Online, founded in 2001 as a joint venture between pre-eminent technology publishers O’Reilly Media, Inc., and Pearson Education, is an on-demand digital library delivering expert content—books, video and more—from the leading authors in technology and business.

ConnectED Commitment: Safari has already launched our site for the Safari K12 service it committed to create in partnership with O’Reilly Media as part of the ConnectED initiative: http://safaribooksonline.com/connected. Starting today, we’re accepting registrations at http://k12.safari.do for the first 500 US high school students (13 years old or older) who want early access to our free program. Every student accepted in this early access stage will have a summer of on-demand online access to all O’Reilly Media ebooks and videos currently available in the Safari Premium Library. These 2,000+ O’Reilly Media ebooks and videos cover a wonderful range of software, programming, and technical subjects, from Python to Powerpoint to Photography. In September 2014, we’ll open the program to let every US high school student sign up for on-demand access and in January 2015 we’ll expand even further to allow access for any K-12 students or teachers in America. This on-demand online access will allow them to read every O’Reilly Media ebook and watch every O’Reilly Media video currently in Safari for free.

For More Information: http://safaribooksonline.com/connected

Further details may be available at the White House ConnectED hub

Sprint Corporation

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Company Description: Sprint offers a comprehensive range of wireless communications services that bring the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint served nearly 57 million customers as of June 30, 2015, and Sprint’s 4G LTE service is now available in more than 470 markets across the nation. To learn more, visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

ConnectED Commitment: Through Sprint’s in-kind support of ConnectED, up to 50,000 K-12 students across the U.S. will be able to take advantage of their school’s digital learning curriculum and resources outside the classroom. Educational institutions, school districts, and certain public housing authorities can apply to receive up to four years of Sprint high-speed wireless broadband connectivity to support off-campus digital learning. Participating schools will be selected based on a comprehensive process that will assess, among other factors, applicants’ current 1:1 digital learning program and off-campus strategy, and the availability of Sprint service in their surrounding market. In addition, selected schools may purchase discounted digital broadband devices from Sprint for students’ connectivity away from school. With each line having access to 3GB monthly of Sprint’s wireless data service, participating students can obtain extended and engaging digital instruction in subjects such as math, science, arts and foreign languages, innovative learning resources, and additional access to critical on-line course tools.

For More Information: To learn more about Sprint’s rich history of providing and supporting digital literacy and education platforms visit: www.sprint.com/connected

Further details may be available at the White House ConnectED hub

Verizon

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Company Description: Verizon offers K-12 education solutions that make learning easier and more engaging for students, and help teachers, parents, and administrators work more efficiently. Our K-12 education technologies help expand classroom opportunities and enrich homework assignments, help teachers communicate and collaborate more easily, provide parents with new tools to interact with teachers and stay informed about their children, and control costs and keep campuses safe.

ConnectED Commitment: The Verizon Foundation announced a multi-year program to support the ConnectED vision through up to $100 million in cash and in-kind commitments, significantly expanding existing and launching new digital learning initiatives.  These include expanding the Innovative Learning Schools program to all fifty states, the creation of an Innovative App Challenge to drive more development in underserved curricular areas, and new professional development opportunities for teachers.

For More Information: 

  • Harry J Mitchell, Director-Media/Public Relations, Verizon Communications  |  [email protected]  |  304.356.3404

Further details may be available at the White House ConnectED hub

New Participating Companies

In April 2015, the President announced commitments from the following publishers, who will provide thousands of eBooks — valued at over $250 million — to students in low-income families:

  • Bloomsbury, providing unlimited access to over 1,000 of its most popular titles
  • Candlewick, providing unlimited access to all relevant children’s and young-adult e-book titles in their catalog
  • Cricket Media, offering full digital access to all of its market-leading magazines for children and young adults, including Ladybug and Cricket
  • Hachette, offering participating students access to a robust catalogue of their popular and award-winning titles
  • HarperCollins, providing a robust selection of their award-winning and popular titles
  • Lee & Low, the leading independent publisher of multicultural books, is providing unlimited access to over 700 of its titles
  • Macmillan, providing unlimited access to all of the K-12 age-appropriate titles in their title catalog of approximately 2,500 books
  • Penguin Random House, committing to provide a robust offering of their popular and award-winning books
  • Simon & Schuster, providing access to their entire e-catalog of books for children ages 4-14, comprised of 3,000 titles
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