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New E-rate rules could narrow the homework gap

eSchool News

In July, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the use of E-rate funds to loan Wi-Fi hotspots that support students, school staff, and library patrons without internet access. The federal E-rate program provides discounts to help schools and libraries obtain affordable telecommunications and internet access.

E-rate 128
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Breaking Down the FCC’s Latest Broadband Brouhaha

Edsurge

Broadband policy is dense, and many of the articles and statements on the subject are frankly hard to follow. Previously this band was only available to education institutions—known as the Educational Broadband Service, or EBS for short. radio, TV, mobile data, broadband. Wait, I said start at the beginning.

Broadband 142
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College Enrollment is Down. Can These New State Policies Help?

Edsurge

That divide affected a significant share of college students in West Virginia, a state where officials say nearly 40 percent of rural residents don’t have broadband. So the state improvised an internet solution through the Kids Connect program , which created more than 1,000 wireless hotspots in parking lots at schools, libraries and parks.

Policies 160
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Here’s What Schools Can Do For the Millions of Students Without Internet Access

Edsurge

And among those who do have access, not all have a broadband connection. Although the federal government makes funding available to schools and libraries in the form of E-Rate, that money can’t be used to pay for students’ home access or even solutions like Wi-Fi-equipped school busses parked in neighborhoods.

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OPINION: How targeted federal action could finally chip away at the broadband racism faced by Black students

The Hechinger Report

Even after service providers launched discounts for broadband services during the pandemic — often targeting online learning — Black Americans across the South saw little change in their access to broadband services. But nowhere is the digital divide larger than in the Black rural South. Add the bill’s $14.25 Add the bill’s $14.25

Broadband 114
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A school district is building a DIY broadband network

The Hechinger Report

But Bredder can’t give students the tool he considers most indispensable to 21st-century learning — broadband internet beyond school walls. They’re building their own countywide broadband network. This is an equity issue,” said Bredder. “If The hardware on the towers then blasts that connection about 10 miles into the valley below.

Broadband 105
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Digital Equity Act Would Provide $250M Annually to Address Digital Divide

Edsurge

Senate introduced a bill that would invest hundreds of millions of dollars to expand broadband access in communities that currently lack it. It’s time to close the digital divide and focus on making sure communities with broadband access have the skills and knowledge to take full advantage of the internet. House is expected to follow.