FORT WORTH (1080 KRLD)- The Fort Worth Independent School District is starting work on a plan that aims to provide reliable internet access to low-income families. The first phase of "Every Child in Every Zip Code" should be complete by the beginning of the next school year in August.
This week, the school board approved the purchase of the final pieces of equipment. The first phase of the project will provide wireless internet access to 25% of families considered "most in need." Towers will serve neighborhoods around Eastern Hills, Morningside and Rosemont Elementary Schools and in the Stop Six area.
Those towers should be completed in August.
"We understand due to the pandemic and learning loss, we are going to have to have connectivity throughout Fort Worth," says Superintendent Kent Scribner.
Scribner says reliable internet access can help kids make up for time lost during the pandemic.
"There's opportunity in the afternoon hours, evening hours and Saturday school to do tutoring, to do intervention and connect with students and families," he says.
The first phase is expected to cost $3.3 to $3.6 million. Funding was included in the bond approved by voters in November of 2020. The bond also included money for 24,000 laptops and 21,000 wi-fi hotspots.
In December, Fort Worth ISD plans to begin construction of a second phase to reach the remaining 75% of targeted households. That would cover seven zip codes: 76102, 76103, 76104, 76105, 76115, 76119 and 76164.
"We're looking at this from an equity lens," Scribner says. "Our initial focus is ... historically underserved communities. We think the best way to keep our students headed in the right direction is to double down and invest in those communities with the greatest need."
Scribner says kids will need additional time to get back to grade level. He says schools in Texas learned from Hurricane Katrina that students who relocated from Louisiana lost a year in the classroom, but they needed three to four years to get caught up.
"Learning recovery really is going to be a multiple year endeavor," Scribner says.
This summer, Scribner is also encouraging all students from kindergarten through 12th grade to sign up for summer school.
"We really want to accelerate learning," he says. "Our summer program will be a full day summer program."
Mornings will focus on literacy and mathematics. Afternoons, Scribner says, will have "high energy and fun enrichment activities," including literacy and science, technology, engineering and math.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow NewsRadio 1080 KRLD
Facebook | Twitter