2-Year Grant To Provide Digital Divide Support in Jacksonville

While most Florida students are returning to face-to-face learning in the new school year, the need for students and families to effectively navigate digital learning resources and platforms appears here to stay. A two-year $500,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to the Consortium will support hiring e-learning coaches in six communities to engage vulnerable families in this key area.

As illuminated in the Consortium's new report -- COVID Education Innovations in Florida: Top Ten Takeaways -- schools have found ways of doing things that require digital literacy, skills and support. The 'homework gap' existed pre-pandemic and now most schools have a greater expectation that students can effectively navigate online learning and caregivers can engage with teachers through online conferences and learning platforms.
Participating local education foundations in Citrus, Leon, Palm Beach, Pinellas and St. Johns school districts will learn from the e-learning effort launched by the Hillsborough Education Foundation in late 2020 to launch similar initiatives in their school districts. Each of the six education foundations will receive partial funding for a full-time staff member to provide one-on-one support for identified families.

Additional local funding from private contributors and public support will fund the positions for two years and the cohort of Consortium members will participate in a learning community to share leading practices and maximize the investment.
"At the Kellogg Foundation, we work to remove barriers so that families and students have equitable learning opportunities that meet their needs," said Arianna Cisneros, program officer at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. "The Consortium's work to close the digital divide among vulnerable students ensures that all children have the opportunity to thrive."