[1st-mile-nm] Udall Calls on FCC to Make Wi-Fi Available on School Buses
Richard Lowenberg
rl at 1st-mile.org
Wed Oct 5 08:41:07 PDT 2016
Inspired by Hatch HS Student, Udall Calls on FCC to Make Wi-Fi Available
on School Buses
Rural and low-income students at risk of falling behind in school
because they lack internet access at home
October 3, 2016
https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2439
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall called on the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) to do more to ensure all students in New
Mexico and across the country have equal access to the internet for
educational and economic opportunity. Specifically, Udall wrote in a
letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, the FCC should extend the successful
E-rate program, which pays for internet access in schools, and provide
Wi-Fi on school buses so students can have more time to do their
homework.
While the E-Rate program has helped ensure schools are equipped with
broadband internet, a third of New Mexico households - and homes across
the country - still lack access, either because families can't afford it
or because it simply isn't available. But with seven in 10 teachers
nationwide assigning homework that requires internet access, students
without access at home are now at an unfair disadvantage to their peers.
"Broadband should help create educational opportunities for these
children, not a new barrier to their success at school," Udall wrote to
Wheeler.
(snip)
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Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
1st-Mile Institute 505-603-5200
Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504,
rl at 1st-mile.org www.1st-mile.org
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