JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Some high school students in Duval County schools will have a new way to access resources online.
It's because the school district has created a program allowing students to access Wi-Fi from their home.
Having access to the internet seems like the norm for many, but for some students like Brandon Griggs in Duval County he said it's still a hassle to have the web at their fingertips.
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"It's definitely been a really big struggle in my life and also a lot of the other kids as well. There was a time when I actually had to walk to Best Buy to a complete an assignment on their demo computer," Griggs said.
Griggs is a junior at Lee High school he said a lot of their assignments are online and he's sometimes has to go to the extreme to make sure his work gets completed.
That's why he and his classmates voiced their concerns to superintendent Dr. Diana Greene.
Jim Culbert is the chief information officer for the district, he said afterwards Greene got with the IT department to figure out a solution by providing students with Wi-Fi even when they're not on campus.
"I mean you can't do research without going online. Our bookstore is online, the homework is online, the grade book is online," Culbert said.
That's why DCPS partnered with Sprint to provide 1,000 hot spots to students who qualify and it's free of charge for those who need it.
"The great thing about this program is that they actually keep it for the whole four years that they are in high school," Culvert said.
For students who don't have access to a computer, Culvert said there is a different program that allows parents to purchase a used laptop for $40 for each of their children.
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However, to get the hot spot all students have to do is take a three-question survey online and the deadline to apply is Oct. 30.
Meanwhile Griggs is just thrilled he and his classmates were able to change the future of how students access internet at home.
"People do listen and your voice does matter and I hope that can empower other kids to do the same," Griggs said.
DCPS officials said a second phase of the program will roll out next spring providing 2,000 more hot spots to students.
Cox Media Group
