Prince William County Public Schools Wins Digital Equity Award

Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) has received the prestigious 2024 Community Leadership Award for Digital Equity from the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN). This award highlights PWCS’s unwavering commitment to promoting digital equity, narrowing the homework gap, and providing students with the tools they need to succeed.

Bridging the Digital Divide with Innovative Solutions

PWCS has taken bold steps to address digital inequities and empower students as responsible digital citizens. The district has distributed over 91,000 instructional devices, ranging from iPads for PreK-2 students to HP laptops for grades 3-12. To further ensure equitable access, PWCS has provided hotspots for students without home internet, closing a critical gap in connectivity.

Enhancing Communication with SchoolStatus Connect

To support its digital equity initiatives, PWCS has adopted tools like SchoolStatus Connect to strengthen family-teacher communication. This innovative platform enables two-way, translated messaging between teachers and families. For example, teachers can text parents in their native language, and replies are automatically translated back into English.

Heather Huff, Instructional Technology Coach at Sinclair Elementary, emphasized the impact:

“SchoolStatus Connect has closed a significant communication gap for our families.”

A Spanish-speaking parent shared how this feature has transformed her ability to stay involved in her child’s education:

“Receiving texts in Spanish and replying in my language allows me to communicate quickly, even with my busy schedule. It’s a game-changer for families like mine.”

This functionality is especially valuable for English Language Learner (ELL) families, fostering stronger school connections and boosting engagement.

Combating Chronic Absenteeism with SchoolStatus Attend

In addition to improving communication, PWCS has implemented SchoolStatus Attend to address chronic absenteeism. This platform uses data-driven insights and tiered interventions to improve attendance and student outcomes. PWCS has seen measurable progress in attendance rates, student support, and graduation rates as a result of this proactive approach.

Recognized for Outstanding Commitment

PWCS expressed gratitude for the CoSN recognition, with one district leader stating:

“Our commitment to bridging the digital divide is unwavering. Receiving the Community Leadership Award for Digital Equity reflects the collective efforts of our schools and the division.”

Celebrating Success

SchoolStatus congratulates Prince William County Public Schools on this well-deserved award and their dedication to digital equity. We are proud to partner with PWCS in leveraging innovative tools to ensure equitable access to education for all students.

To learn more about PWCS’s success with SchoolStatus solutions, read our case study.