Letter to support expansion of internet access for students joined by Warner and Kaine

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WAVY) – U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine have joined a letter in support of expanded internet access for students and educators.

Warner touts broadband funding to help rural communities

The letter, led by Senators Ed Markey and Chris Van Hollen and Representative Grace Meng, aims to expand the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s E-Rate program, which gives affordable access to broadband to schools and libraries.

The new proposal would specifically give schools and libraries the ability to loan Wi-Fi hotspots to students and educators in the hopes of reducing educational gaps, and to ensure internet access to all students.

“[We] are excited that the Commission has proposed to update the E-Rate program to allow schools and libraries to provide Wi-Fi hotspots and wireless internet services to students and educators,” the lawmakers wrote. “This proposal properly recognizes that learning now extends beyond the physical premises of school buildings.”

According to a study from Michigan State University, students who lack internet access at home receive lower grades than their peers.

“With millions of students at risk of losing internet access at home, we are glad to see the FCC exercising this authority and modernizing the E-Rate program, and we encourage the Commission to provide schools and libraries with the flexibility to adapt their programs to local conditions while continuing to effectively guard against fraud and waste,” the lawmakers wrote.

Expanding the E-Rate program will also build upon the progress that was made through the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), which is set to expire at the end of this year. The ECF was authorized by Congress in 2021 as a part of the American Rescue Plan Act and provided devices and connectivity for students and educators at home.

The letter for the expansion is available to read in full here.

Check with WAVY.com for updates.

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