Texas Education Agency’s acquisition of 1 million virtual devices could save school districts thousands

The procurement of over 1 million personal devices and internet WiFi hotspots by the Texas Education Agency and Local Education Agencies will likely save school districts from 20% to 40% off retail, the Office of the Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a press release. 

The acquisition was made possible through Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding of $200 million that was allocated to the TEA, according to the press release. . Texas school districts matched the allocation.

The CARES Act is an over $2 trillion federal economic relief package that helps Americans affected by COVID-19, the U.S. Department of the Treasury said. Among those that can receive assistance through the act are state, local and tribal governments.

Abbott announced in July that Texas would allocate $200 million in CARES Act funding to the TEA to purchase items to enable students who lacked connectivity to learn virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the press release. 

“As school districts delay in-person instruction for the 2020-2021 school year, it is critical that the State of Texas close the digital divide and ensure access to virtual education for students who are learning at home,” Abbott said in the press release. 

In announcing in July added guidance to schools as they considered reopening for the 2020-21 school year, the TEA gave schools flexibility in temporarily limiting “access to on-campus instruction for the first four weeks of school,” TEA's website states. 

“After the first four weeks, a school system can continue to limit access to on-campus instruction for an additional four weeks, if needed, with a board-approved waiver request to TEA,” according to TEA's webstite.

Guidelines also allowed high schools to offer a “full-time hybrid model” in which students receive on-campus and virtual instruction.