INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Public Schools launched Friday the IPS Education Equity Fund, to help combat inequities faced by many of the district’s students.
In IPS’ district, 65% of students qualify for free or reduced services. This means it could be difficult for some students to fully participate in e-learning and instead rely on paper packets.
The fund will pay for internet service and laptops for students who need it across the city. So far, there have been six early local donors - Salesforce, Chiefs for Change, American Health Network, APEX Benefits, Healthcare Initiatives Inc., and UnitedHealthcare.
“Tackling even just part of this list requires tremendous financial support, and we need to do all of this and more. That's why this fund is so critical,” said IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson. “School closures will have a negative impact on low-income families who disproportionately lack access to technology, internet service, food, childcare and healthcare services. Many of these families are black and brown. Our district’s commitment to a Racial Equity Mindset makes it imperative that the collective ‘we’ make immediate plans to support all of our students and families.”
Johnson said Friday the laptops have already started to go out to students who need them to participate in e-learning.
