With schools forced online, the pandemic has exposed just how unfairly access to broadband internet is in our country. Even as government and business have scrambled to close this gap, 12 million students are still disconnected, and they are disproportionately low-income, rural, or students of color.
What Is E-Rate and How Can It Help?
The federal government already gives money to schools and libraries for internet access through a program called E-Rate. But the schools and libraries can’t use that money to get students and families access in their homes, even during a pandemic. The Federal Communications Commission can change this right now with a simple update. We told the FCC to update E-Rate now.
We Sent This Joint Letter to the FCC
Message to FCC
On March 31, 2021, we will deliver the following letter to the acting chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission.
Dear Chairwoman Rosenworcel,
Thank you for continuing to use your seat at the table to fight for children and families who need it most. For years, you have highlighted the importance of addressing the Homework Gap, and you have been a strong voice for getting families connected during the pandemic and beyond.
Don’t stop now! We urge you to continue your efforts to make E-rate funding available to schools and libraries to promote broadband connectivity for students at home during the COVID crisis.
You have been clear about the need to get creative and act immediately to connect the 12 million young people in this country who do not have a reliable broadband connection, at a time when so many are being forced to attend school online.
We know that the consequences of this divide are greatest for our most vulnerable families and students. Low-income, rural, and students of color were disproportionately left behind in the shift to remote learning. And as President Biden urged the FCC in his Executive Order, we must get those children connected.
An important step right now is to make E-Rate funding available to schools and libraries to connect these families, in accordance with the emergency petition filed by the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition and eight other nonprofit organizations on January 26, 2021. You have already signaled leadership on this issue by proactively putting this emergency petition out for comment.
Thank you for continuing to stand up to special interests and stand for families who need and deserve high-quality internet access now.
Linda B. in Wyoming
Jennifer P. in California
Lisa G. in District of Columbia
Shaka M. in Tennessee
Elana F. in Massachusetts
Phoenix L. in Maryland
Larissa B. in District of Columbia
Maurice C. in District of Columbia
Katie H. in District of Columbia
Les P. in District of Columbia
Jessica W. in Massachusetts
Emma H. in District of Columbia
Rachel U. in District of Columbia
Paul S. in California
Beth W. in District of Columbia
Laura L. in Illinois
Lamont D. in Louisiana
Robin L. in California
Stratton L. in Massachusetts
Joshua M. in Georgia
Jason A. in Georgia
Merle Q. in Texas
Sharif E. in Pennsylvania
Gloria L. in California
Benjamin M. in Pennsylvania
Shantel C. in Nevada
Cindi R. in Illinois
Rhonda S. in Tennessee
Tina S. in California
Angela R. in Oklahoma
Victoria C. in Rhode Island
Erica B. in New Jersey
Johnna G. in Massachusetts
James V. in New Jersey
Liz D. in Arizona
Vivian F. in New Jersey
Jana G. in Michigan
Zachary W. in New Jersey
Ashley L. in Illinois
Stephanie G. in Oklahoma
Sedonia Y. in Washington
Christopher S. in Minnesota
Donna H. in New York
Earl P. in Colorado
Beth S. in New York
Maureen K. in Illinois
Jodi B. in Michigan
Lindsy W. in Kentucky
iLah H. in Wisconsin
Leslie W. in Oregon
Chaka G. in Minnesota
Valerie B. in New Jersey
Nzingha M. in Michigan
Robin L. in California
Jamuna J. in Utah
Aisha D. in Georgia
Robin L. in California
Robin L. in California
Peggy H. in Maryland
Venetta B. in New York
Manisha P. in California
Shawn L. in New York
Brandon W. in New York
Daphne L. in Louisiana
Ronnie X B. in Ohio
Susan D. in Maryland
Lisa M. in Minnesota
Janet K. in New Hampshire
Rachel F. in New York
edward g. in Missouri
Carrie P. in Utah
iLah H. in Wisconsin
Luna P. in Tennessee
Lucy G. in California
Jennifer D. in Minnesota
Ashley M. in Georgia
regina J. in Colorado
Evelyn P. in Connecticut
Peggy S. in New Mexico
William C. in New Mexico
Jennifer D. in Michigan
Alan L. in South Carolina
Eileen F. in South Carolina
Christopher S. in Minnesota
Leslie W. in Oregon
Debbie F. in Louisiana
Claire H. in Oregon
Jennifer B. in Indiana
C. C. in Maryland
Ann K. in Minnesota
Jo W. in Maryland
Sharif E. in Pennsylvania
Dena N. in Utah
Shantram H. in Illinois
Candice H. in Pennsylvania
Liv L. in California
Susan S. in Florida
Miranda B. in Georgia
Keely C. in Alabama
Earl P. in Colorado
Darren B. in Utah
Nzingha M. in Michigan
Maureen K. in Illinois
Jessica W. in Massachusetts
catherine p. in Ohio
Caren W. in Massachusetts
Kristine R. in New York
Brenda C. in New York
Audrey W. in Georgia
catherine p. in Ohio
John R. in New York
Glenda S. in North Carolina
Lisa N. in Nebraska
Seth L. in California
TILAKAPALA R. in Florida
Darren B. in Utah
Olga C G. in New York
Valerie C. in Massachusetts
Toya J. in California
Kristina C. in Maryland
Michael P. in New Jersey
Andrew L. in New York
Julie S. in Pennsylvania
Charles J. in New York
Rita B. in Virginia
Shifra M. in New Jersey
Valerie B. in California
Bryan R. in Minnesota
Linda F. in New York
Dorie N. in District of Columbia
dirk T. in California
Zachary W. in New Jersey
Ann A. in California
kelly A. in Indiana
Sabra K. in Texas
Bobbie V. in Pennsylvania
Bonnie R. in Illinois
Jana B. in Kentucky
Melissa T. in Pennsylvania
Lisa H. in Pennsylvania
Zakiya S. in Maryland
Laura W. in New Jersey
Suneet B. in Massachusetts
Rob S. in Illinois
Ikhlas S. in Georgia
Sally R. in West Virginia
Marissa M. in Arizona
Laura S. in District of Columbia
Debra W. in Kentucky
Julie J. in Colorado
Gloria R. in Virginia
Najimah R. in Pennsylvania
Marianne L. in Ohio
Teresena M. in Tennessee
Jossie v. in Louisiana
Robert W. in Nevada
Vivian L. in Illinois
Colleen O. in Washington
MARCIA A. in California
Gloria L. in California
Leslie W. in Oregon
Lily E. in Illinois
Dana W. in California
Rogelio L. in Michigan
Mitali C. in Georgia
katherine c. in Pennsylvania
Shanna G. in New York
Darren B. in Utah
Jolene S. in Maryland
Daniel A. in Illinois
Tedrick H. in Louisiana
Tanesha P. in Illinois
Monserrat C. in Minnesota
Monica A. in Minnesota
Nish J. in Illinois
Maureen K. in Illinois
Daniel S. in Minnesota
Josh T. in Minnesota
Gordon W. in Illinois