https://about.att.com/pages/COVID-19.html
March 20, 2020
AT&T Creates $10 Million Fund to Support Parents, Teachers & Students Throughout COVID-19 School Closures
First $1 million will support online learning platform Khan Academy
AT&T is creating a Distance Learning and Family Connections Fund to give parents, students and teachers tools they need for at-home learning. The fund also will provide resources to maintain meaningful connections and bonding opportunities for those isolated from family and friends.
“Our country is grappling with an unprecedented challenge,” said Randall Stephenson, chairman and CEO of AT&T Inc. “Now more than ever before, connecting people with the resources they need to maintain a sense of normalcy is paramount. For students and teachers, that means creating the best digital learning environment. For families, that means simply staying connected to loved ones. Over the coming weeks and months, we’re committed to standing alongside the communities where we live and work, as we navigate through this trying time.”
The $10 million Distance Learning and Family Connections Fund is launching today with its first contribution of $1 million to Khan Academy. This collaboration will improve and expand online learning resources to meet growing demand from parents, teachers and students, including those who rely on free resources and need Khan Academy the most. It will also support the development of new resources designed specifically for COVID-19 school closures.
Available in more than 40 languages, Khan Academy offers educational practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empowers students to study at home. Khan Academy also offers free tools for teachers and parents to help them track student progress. Learn more at KhanAcademy.org.
With an estimated 47 million students now learning from home in the U.S. alone, Khan Academy is meeting a critical need. Our collaboration comes alongside a $1 million contribution from Google.org for this online learning initiative, as we both commit to support distance learning.
"AT&T and Google.org have been committed supporters of Khan Academy," said Sal Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy. "We're grateful that they're helping us respond quickly to school closures so everyone can keep learning at home."
As circumstances surrounding COVID-19 change daily, so too does the impact on our communities. To best allocate resources from the Distance Learning and Family Connections Fund, we’re working alongside families, educators and community leaders to understand the challenges they will face in the days and weeks to come.
“These donations are important because they will help students and families maintain some normalcy as our communities respond to the outbreak of this virus,” said Sindy M. Benavides, chief executive officer, League of United Latin American Citizens. “It is important that people are able to continue their education as they cope with this rapidly changing environment. We thank AT&T for acting swiftly and for their leadership.”
“Members of our communities face many challenges amid the COVID-19 outbreak, and they need the ability to continue to learn and bond,” said Marc Morial, president, National Urban League. “Everyone is in this together. We are proud to see companies like AT&T helping provide their resources so that people can continue their education and connect with their families and friends.”
Keeping Communities Connected
AT&T recognizes that staying in touch with your family, friends, school and work has never been more important. To provide further support, AT&T announced:
Unlimited AT&T Home Internet – All AT&T consumer home internet wireline customers, as well as Fixed Wireless Internet, can use unlimited internet data. Additionally, we will continue to offer internet access for qualifying limited income households at $10 per month through our Access from AT&T program. We’ve expanded eligibility to Access from AT&T to households participating in the National School Lunch Program and Head Start. Additionally, we’re offering new Access from AT&T customers two months of free service.
About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T
AT&T Inc. is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. We have a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities, promote academic and economic achievement, and address community needs. Our AT&T Aspire initiative uses innovation in education to drive student success in school and beyond. With a financial commitment of $550 million since 2008, AT&T is leveraging technology, relationships and social innovation to help all students make their biggest dreams a reality.
About Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of providing a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. Khan Academy’s platform is free for students, teachers and parents, and includes thousands of interactive exercises, videos and articles that cover a range of K–12 subjects, as well as the early years of college. We also offer Khan Academy Kids, an award-winning free app for children ages two to seven. Our learning system is mastery based, which allows students to master key concepts at a pace that’s right for them before moving on to more challenging content. More than 18 million learners use Khan Academy every month in 190 countries and more than 40 languages. As a nonprofit, Khan Academy relies on donations from foundations, corporations and individuals around the world, as well as earned revenue. For more information, visit khanacademy.org, or join us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Also, please see Sal Khan’s recommended schedules for students ages 4 to 18 who are learning at home during COVID-19 school closures.