Verizon Offers Free Online Resources for California Educators

A new initiative from the California K-12 High Speed Network, or K12HSN, a state-funded education program, and the Verizon Foundation will reportedly provide free online resources for California teachers, parents and students, through Verizon's (News - Alert) Thinkfinity.org.

 

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational Web site.

 

Thinkfinity.org contains more than 55,000 educational resources provided in partnership with many of the nation's educational organizations. These comprehensive resources include standards-based, grade-specific, K-12 lesson plans, online educational games, videos and other materials.

 

K12HSN will use Verizon’s $125,000 grant to coordinate Thinkfinity activities. This collaboration is essentially aimed to broaden awareness of Thinkfinity resources and their capacity to support K-12 teachers in California. This will include activities such as providing comprehensive professional development for teachers and trainers throughout California.

 

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell said officials are pleased to be working with the Verizon Thinkfinity program and the vast resources it brings to California’s educators. Partnerships such as these will help classrooms embrace opportunities technology brings as they work to close the achievement gap.

 

Thinkfinity.org will help both parents and teachers noted Tim McCallion, Verizon West region president. The Web site will help them quickly and easily find the information they need.

 

Todd Finnell, CEO of K12HSN, Verizon’s Thinkfinity state education partner in California, said this partnership combines Thinkfinity’s robust collection of resources from content providers with the statewide reach of their distribution and support network.

 

"Given the economic downturn, private-public partnerships in education are particularly important to support teaching and promote academic achievement in California,” said assembly member John Perez, the Democratic caucus chair, in a statement. “The new partnership between Verizon Thinkfinity and K12HSN provides teachers with the tools they need to provide excellent instruction to California's students."