News Summary
New York City is launching a program to distribute 350,000 Chromebooks to public school students, addressing the digital inequality faced by many families. Mayor Eric Adams announced the initiative, which targets 1,700 schools and prioritizes students living in temporary housing and those from low-income families. Each Chromebook will feature LTE or 5G connectivity to ensure access to the internet. The program aims to provide a device to every K-12 student by the end of the 2025-2026 academic year, with a budget of approximately $327 million supported by T-Mobile.
New York City has announced an ambitious plan to provide 350,000 Chromebooks to public school students as part of an initiative aimed at increasing digital access among learners in all five boroughs. This program, revealed by Mayor Eric Adams, will target 1,700 schools and is designed to ensure that students have the necessary technology to complete their assignments and access educational resources.
The initiative, launched at DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, highlights the city’s commitment to addressing the issue of digital inequality. It is noted that over 30% of New York City households, representing approximately 2.5 million people, do not have reliable broadband internet. This lack of connectivity presents significant challenges for students, particularly in areas where almost one in three households in the Bronx lacks a computer.
Each of the Chromebooks will come with built-in LTE or 5G connectivity, enabling students to access the internet without needing a Wi-Fi connection at home. This feature aims to bridge the gap for families who may struggle with technology access outside of school.
The rollout of the Chromebooks will be phased, prioritizing:
- Schools with insufficient devices or where current technology is over five years old.
- Students living in temporary housing.
- Schools with high poverty rates, particularly those with at least 86% low-income families.
- Newly opened schools and those that have requested additional devices.
The overall mission is to provide a Chromebook to every K-12 student by the conclusion of the 2025-2026 academic year. The expected cost of this program is approximately $327 million. However, city officials assure that this initiative will not incur additional costs to the city budget, largely thanks to a financial collaboration with T-Mobile, which is set to provide discounted service and connectivity for the devices.
These Chromebooks will be preloaded with educational applications such as Google Workspace, TeachHub, and iLearnNYC, ensuring that students have immediate access to crucial learning resources. Furthermore, devices will be managed according to strict citywide security standards, enhancing the safety of both students and schools.
This distribution effort is part of a broader initiative known as the “Digital Equity Roadmap”, which also includes programs such as Big Apple Connect, aimed at providing free broadband services to over 330,000 residents of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA).
Schools across the city will keep families updated about when they can expect to receive the new devices, ensuring a smooth transition as the rollout begins. Experts on the initiative emphasize the critical importance of reliable technology and connectivity as foundational tools for student success.
By providing Chromebooks with built-in internet access, New York City is taking significant steps to address the digital divide faced by many students in under-resourced communities. This initiative will enable a more equitable educational landscape, empowering all students to engage fully with their learning, regardless of their home circumstances.
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HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Government Technology
- Wikipedia: Digital Divide
- New York Family
- Google Search: Chromebooks in education
- NY Daily News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Internet
- Stupid Dope
- Google News: NYC education technology initiative
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NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
