Mayor Eric Adams announced Monday at Dewitt Clinton High School that 350,000 students from 1,700 public schools throughout the city will receive free Chromebooks with the Internet during the 2025-2026 school year, in order to combat digital inequality among New York youth.
Adams, accompanied by Chancellor of Schools Melissa Avilés-Ramos, Technology Director Matthew Fraser, Vicealcalde Randy Mastro and the Yankees star Jazz Chisholm Jr., described the measure as a “monumental investment” in the present and future of the students.
The new Chromebooks-which some Dewitt Clinton students received after the announcement-include LTE or 5G access of T-Mobile so they can use them even without wifi.
Bronx is one of the areas most affected by the lack of technological resources. More than 22% of households do not have the Internet at home and almost 1 in 3 lacks computer, according to a Julio for Center for Urban Future report.
Adams recalled that during the pandemic many students did not have the tools to study at a distance. “We asked them to connect online, but they had no devices or access to fast broadband,” he said. With the new initiative, he added, “our success will no longer be determined by the postal code, but the simple fact of being a New York resident.”
The mayor said that Chromebooks will replace old equipment in some schools and guarantee technological access despite the new state prohibition of using cell phones during the school day. “We remove the phones during the day, but now they will have Chromebooks all day,” he said.
The Big Apple Connect already offers free Internet in Nycha buildings and will soon expand to other low -income housing. The delivery of Chromebooks is held in alliance with T-Mobile and Dell Technologies.
Aviles-Ramos explained that the cast will be made in phases, prioritizing schools with devices over five years, students in temporary homes, high poverty schools (86% of families at that level), new schools and those that requested new equipment.
Chisholm Jr., who supports young people through its foundation, said they feel at home at Dewitt Clinton: “This reminds me of the place where I grew up.”
The second All-Star base said he has visited several schools during his two years as New York Yankee. “I love to give back,” he said.
The students celebrated the initiative. William June, a last year student, said that many only have their phones to do homework and write essays. “The laptops not only modernize the classrooms, they also match opportunities and futures,” he said. “And being honest, make the task hurt a little less.”
