New York City (May 6, 2020) – Teach NYS today commended The New York City Department of Education (“DOE”) for its decision to issue 6,400 Chromebook computers and 20,000 non-internet phones – with service for the next three months – to students in the city, including nonpublic school students, who currently do not have the devices necessary for participation in remote learning.
Working in conjunction with a group of partners, including the Jewish Education Program, Separdic Community Federation, UJO of Williamsburg, Agudath Israel, and the Alliance for Yeshiva Education, Teach Coalition advocated to secure these devices so all students will have access to their schools’ learning platforms, many of which include real-time voice calls, online assignments and electronic correspondence.
“We are incredibly pleased that the City is taking into account the needs of nonpublic school students without access to the devices and connectivity they need,” said Yosef Kanofsky, director of government programs for Teach NYS. “Without devices, such as Chromebooks and non-internet phones, these students, many of whom attend yeshivas, would be unable to keep up with their formal learning programs through the end of this school-year and possibly beyond. All students are entitled to the opportunity to continue with their learning as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic do not discriminate between religious and secular communities.”
Schools interested in participating in this program are required to complete a survey that is now live in the Nonpublic School Information System (NPSIS). In addition to this program, nonpublic school students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) are now eligible to receive iPads from the city at no cost.
About Teach NYS
Teach NYS, a division of the Orthodox Union’s Teach Coalition, was founded in 2013 to advocate for equitable government funding for New York nonpublic schools. It has secured additional funding for nonpublic schools, which is used to increase security, enhance education and defray costs. Teach NYS created a first in the nation program to begin reimbursing nonpublic schools for the costs of qualified STEM instructors. In 2018, it championed a historic pilot program to begin providing Kosher and Halal meals to students enrolled in both public and nonpublic schools in New York City.