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Comments will be submitted Monday on proposed changes to the Federal Communications Commission’s E-rate program that would allow schools and libraries to apply for funding for internet services to allow education to continue remotely. is.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a press release that since the pandemic, schools and libraries have learned how to support distance learning by distributing Wi-Fi hotspots to students to support distance learning. He said he found it. In some cases, these hotspots were paid for using the FCC’s one-time Emergency Connectivity Fund, which will be phased out in June.
“This program made a huge down payment on closing the digital divide, but it was a one-time effort,” said Democratic Democrat Rosenworcel. “Supporting libraries and schools today means updating the E-Rate program to help our communities learn and stay connected without limits.”
The E-Rate program, administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company under the direction of the FCC, provides schools and libraries with monthly discounts on Internet service. Discounts vary depending on the applicant’s poverty level and whether the service is in an urban or rural area. Discounts range from 20-90% of the service fee.
Proposed changes to the program would allow applicants to apply for funding for internet services that extend beyond brick-and-mortar buildings to support access to distance learning and virtual library services.
“Advances in technology are transforming the modern learning environment and increasing the adoption of interactive online educational tools that can be used anytime, anywhere to help students develop the digital skills they need to thrive in the 21st century.” The FCC’s proposed changes state:
Rosenworcel and FCC Commissioner Jeffrey Starks, a fellow Democrat, each spoke out about the proposed rule change and how it addresses the “homework gap,” the disparity between students who have access to reliable internet connections and those who don’t. issued a statement in support of its impact on improvements. .
“For E-Rate-funded hotspots, these devices have the same limitations as other E-Rate-funded connections within the school. We will update and modernize our programs,” Starks wrote.
FCC Commissioners Brendan Carr and Nathan Symington, both Republicans, opposed the proposed changes, saying they exceeded the agency’s congressional authority. Mr Singington said the proposed expansion was “lawless and wasteful”.
“Just a few weeks ago, I was told that school buses are actually classrooms,” Symington wrote. “Today, when Congress says schools, classrooms, and libraries, it actually means private homes, offices, amusement parks, and indeed any place or place where mobile hotspots can be used. is required.”
In a statement, Carr and Symington pointed to previous opposition to another recent change to the E-Rate program that would have allowed funds to be used to install Wi-Fi on school buses. These changes were also criticized by Republican lawmakers.
“Today’s [notice of proposed rulemaking] It appears that school buildings have been replaced with an “anytime, anywhere” approach in a “modern educational environment,” Kerr wrote. “And no matter what you think about the modern educational environment, the FCC is not free to ignore explicit limits on its authority imposed by Congress, no matter how laudable its intentions.”
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez has not issued a public statement about the proposed changes.
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