‘Connecting Kids’ Announces 96.6 Percent of Students Engaged in Distance Learning Connected to Reliable Internet Throughout State of Nevada for 2020-2021 School Year

94 Percent of Students Identified in State-wide Roll Call, Marking Progress Toward Goal of Closing the Technology Gap Among All School Districts.

Las Vegas, NV — ‘Connecting Kids’, a statewide community coalition formed in partnership with The Nevada COVID-19 Response, Relief and Recovery Task Force, The Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation, Communities In Schools Nevada, and The Public Education Foundation to ensure that all students across the State of Nevada have equitable access to virtual learning for the 2020-2021 school year, announced today several State-wide milestones including confirmation that 96.6 percent of students engaged in distance learning have access to reliable internet, 96.4 percent have a device, and that 94.2 percent responded to the roll call.

The Nevada Department of Education and the Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation & Technology have been working in close coordination to track technology needs and support solutions in communities across Nevada. As a result of those efforts, ten county school districts have achieved green status which indicates that that all students in the district who are participating in distance learning have access to a device and the internet. Green districts include Carson City, Churchill, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, Lincoln, Nye, Pershing, Storey, and White Pine. Currently, Esmeralda, Eureka, Lincoln, Pershing, and White Pine County School Districts are providing in-person instruction for all students, while the remaining districts are offering hybrid learning models that combine in-person and virtual instruction.

“We are grateful that the philanthropic and business communities have come together to urgently support efforts to connect every student with high-quality learning opportunities,” says Jhone Ebert, Superintendent of Public Instruction. “Our district and school leaders have been working tirelessly to meet the needs of all students and families and have made tremendous strides since Connecting Kids launched on August 10. However, we still have more work to do to reach our goal of ensuring that all students are properly equipped to participate in virtual learning.”

As of September 9, 2020, there were 489,817 students enrolled in schools across the state. 28,585 have not yet responded to the roll call, 15,836 have an expressed need for reliable internet connectivity and 16,506 have an expressed need for a device.

“The Nevada COVID-19 Response, Relief and Recovery Task Force was eager to support ‘Connecting Kids’ immediately upon learning of its mission to close the technology gap and help all students receive the tools they need to adequately participate in the 2020-2021 school year,” says Jim Murren, chairman of the Nevada COVID-19 Task Force. “The state of Nevada has created the gold standard around how entire communities should work together, and as a result, more than 96 percent of students engaged in distance learning have access to reliable internet and a device.”

‘Connecting Kids’ continues to work in tandem with each school district and community organizations to ensure that all students are accounted for. Families living in the Clark County School District should call the Family Support Center — 888-616-2476 — or their school for help accessing subsidized connectivity or a device. Students living in all other school districts, are encouraged to contact their local school to attain help and additional services.

For those interested in learning more, please visit ConnectingKidsNV.org.

Media inquiries should be sent to mediainquiries@nvc19.org.