Out-of-School Access & Internet Safety

For Parents/Guardians

Choosing an Online Program

• Parent's Guide [International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL)]

Home Internet Access

• COVID-19 Digital Access National Programs: Major Carriers continue to update their offerings that have historically supported the low cost programs through the FCC. Many of these offerings have been expanded to all students, however, these services may be just for new accounts.
• Lifeline: Monthly discounts on landline or wireless phone
• EveryoneOn: Free or $9.95 home internet service, discounted devices, & free computer & Internet courses
• BroadBandNow can help discover providers in an area. (enter your zip code)
• HighSpeedInternet.com provides a listing of current Major Carrier offerings
• The FCC Lifeline Program provides low cost internet to those who can demonstrate they are using a federal assistance program.
• AllConnect.com outlines how to take advantage of the Lifeline Program and what you would need to provide to demonstrate need.
• Comcast Internet Essentials: affordable, high speed internet at home.

Internet & Cell Phone Safety

• Cyberbullying Articles (Cyberbullying Research Center)
• Cybersafe Girls [(National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC)]
• Cell Phone Safety (NCPC)
• Internet Safety (NCPC)
• Privacy & Internet Safety (CommonSense Media)

For Districts

Online Course Quality

• Protecting Student Privacy While Using Online Educational Services: Requirements and Best Practices (U.S. Department of Education)
• National Standards for Quality Online Teaching [International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL)]
• Connecting Student to Advanced Courses Online (U.S. Department of Education)
• Center on Online Learning & Students with Disabilities

Online Instructor Quality

• iNACOL National Standards for Quality Online Teaching (v2)
• Is Online Teaching in Your Future? (Jamey Fitzpatrick, Michigan Virtual University)
• BE VOCAL: Characteristics of Successful Online Instructors (John R. Savery, The University of Akron)
• Online Teaching Activity Index (Illinois Online Network)
• Online instructor & teaching competencies: Literature review for Quality Matters (William C. Diehl, Ph.D., MarylandOnline)
• Online Professional Learning Checklist (U.S. Department of Education)
• Empowering Educators through Professional Learning Toolkit (U.S. Department of Education)
• Teachers Guide to Personalized Learning Networks (Educational Technology & Mobile Learning)
• Competencies for Personalized Teaching [Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) & Jobs for the Future (JFF)]

Out of School Access

• Broadband for economically disadvantaged students (Kajeet)
• Distance Learning Bundle - Internet Access to Keep Students Learning off Campus (Kajeet)
• Mobile Beacon: providing low cost, mobile, high speed internet access to school and libraries.
• Sprint 1Million Project: Free home Internet access, devices, & hotspots for high school students
• Reduced-cost wireless mobile internet service & products, including tablets, hotspots, & smartphones from T-Mobile: contact Donna Monahan (508-505-1375))
• First Book Marketplace: Open eBook app for Title I or Title I eligible schools or programs/libraries that serves at least 70% of children from in-need families

Last Updated: June 1, 2020