Why Congress Should Pass $5.25 Billion to Ensure Students & Teachers Have Safe Internet Access to Learn from Home

CoSN, Funds for Learning, SHLB and SETDA will host a virtual press briefing on Thursday, April 30 from 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET about the funding and policy actions necessary to connect students, teachers and library patrons to the internet during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Cathy Cruzan, President, Funds For Learning
• Candice Dodson, Executive Director, State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA)
• Keith Krueger, CEO, CoSN
• John Harrington, CEO, Funds For Learning
• John Windhausen, Executive Director, Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition

As schools shift to online learning, students in at least 7.15 million U.S. households are unable to show up for class because they lack broadband internet access at home. Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) have been leading the Congressional efforts to help get these students online. Sen. Markey intends to introduce a companion bill to Rep. Meng’s Emergency Educational Connections Act, with an update to a higher level of funding. Education technology experts will explain why Congress should provide $5.25 billion supplemental E-Rate funding for these off-campus connections.

To participate in the briefing, click here: https://fundsforlearning.zoom.us/j/95114762721