Central Unified School District in Fresno Delivers Mobile Learning with AT&T

FRESNO, Calif., Sept. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As the role of technology in education grows, nearly 15,000 students in the Central Unified School District in Fresno will be provided new tablets powered by AT&T.* The tablets are just one part of the school district's new learning program that aims to provide students with a more engaged and individualized learning experience.

In addition to helping Central USD adopt a one-to-one mobile learning initiative for all K-12 students across the district's 21 schools, AT&T is providing tablets along with high-speed networking services like Ethernet that will give students the opportunity to engage with technology and offer them full-time, anytime, virtually anywhere access to learning. This approach also supports the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), an initiative to standardize math and English curricula.

"Technology-assisted instruction is replacing the static textbook deliveries of the past," said Mike Berg, Superintendent for Central USD. "We're innovating with AT&T to stay ahead of it and make the move from traditional hardback textbooks to a digital-based adaptive education model."

The use of technology in schools increases engagement in the learning process and allows teachers the opportunity to personalize instruction. Students can collaborate with others online through e-mail, instant messaging and other Internet options that improve student learning and increase engagement.

All of the approximately 15,000 students will be provided a tablet that includes:

• AT&T 3G/4G pooled data plan – Provides students a mobile network connection which will allow access to information in school and at home. This will extend mobile learning for students beyond the classroom.
• AirWatch Mobile Device Management by AT&T – An enterprise-grade mobility management solution which provides Web security software and helps recover lost or stolen devices.

"Technology is shaping the 21^st century classroom," said John Irwin, AT&T Senior Vice-President of Government, Education and Healthcare. "AT&T is providing school districts the technology that empowers today's students and opens up a world of knowledge."

AT&T has made a significant commitment to improving education opportunities for the country's youth in order to spur the economy and the nation's competitiveness. The commitment includes providing technology solutions as well as supporting new models for higher education, extensive educational mentoring and a $350 million commitment to address high school success and workforce readiness.

"We want to help more students graduate high school ready for college and careers," said Beth Shiroishi, vice president of sustainability and philanthropy, AT&T. "Tapping the power of technology to help personalize learning and deliver relevant content in a way kids are familiar with will drive innovation in education and have a measurable impact on teaching and learning."

AT&T's Outstanding Network

AT&T has the nation's fastest and most reliable 4G LTE network according to independent third-party data.¹ And AT&T's network performance continues to be validated by independent third-party testing:

• Our 4G LTE service was recognized as having faster average download and upload speeds than any of our competitors in PCWorld/TechHive's most recent 20-market speed tests – the second consecutive year that AT&T has ranked 1st overall. PCWorld/TechHive also ranked AT&T's as the fastest combination of 3G and 4G services in the 20 cities it tested.²
• And AT&T was named America's fastest 4G LTE network in PC Magazine's 2013 Fastest Mobile Networks 30-market study – and also swept the top rankings in all six U.S. regions from coast to coast: Northeast, Southeast, North-Central, South-Central, Northwest and Southwest.³

In addition, RootMetrics® has awarded AT&T for strongest overall call, text, and data performance in multiple markets in the most recent 2013 testing.⁴

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

¹ Speed claim based on comparison of national carriers' average 4G LTE download speeds for Android™ and Windows smartphones and iPhone 5. Reliability claim compares data transfer completion rates on nationwide 4G LTE networks. Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. 4G speeds not available everywhere.
² PCWorld/TechHive, May 23, 2013, "AT&T clocks best overall speeds with 3G/4G combo"
³ PC Magazine, June 17, 2013; http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2420333,00.asp
⁴ Based on the most recent RootScore® Report for each of the 125 U.S. markets tested in 2013. Performance rankings of 4 national mobile networks rely on scores calculated from random samples. Visit rootmetrics.com for more details. Your experience may vary. The RootMetrics award is not an endorsement of AT&T.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest and most reliable 4G LTE network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV service with the AT&T U-verse^® brand. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.