The Massachusetts Broadband Institute awarded Easton Public Schools 250 internet-enabled devices as part of its Connected and Online Program, which is distributing nearly 27,000 devices statewide.
Funded by the U.S. Treasury's Capital Projects Fund, the initiative supports schools, libraries, and nonprofits to expand digital access for students, families, and staff facing budget constraints.
The program aims to bridge digital equity gaps by providing devices, enhancing public Wi-Fi, and supporting digital literacy, while expanding high-speed internet access across Massachusetts through state and federal funding.
How will schools ensure these 27,000 new devices are accessible for all students with disabilities?
Will federal funding expire before thousands of students get their promised devices due to project delays?
Is Massachusetts' tech giveaway a real solution for educational inequality or just a temporary patch?
Who will pay to maintain and replace these thousands of devices after federal funding ends this year?
Beyond a free laptop, what training ensures students can thrive in an AI-powered economy?
Does more screen time in classrooms actually help learning or does it widen the achievement gap?