Educators Decry Termination of Digital Equity Act Funds

Education and technology leaders weighed in on what the elimination of Digital Equity Act funds means for students, teachers, and the nation as a whole. Amy Loyd, CEO of the nonprofit All4Ed and former assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, said President Trump’s termination of the Digital Equity Act will “cut funding for programs that help real people simply because he doesn’t like the word 'equity.'” Julia Fallon, executive director of the nonprofit State Educational Technology Directors Association, said the decision to end the Digital Equity Act will “jeopardize years of strategic planning and community-driven work to ensure all Americans have the tools and support needed to fully participate in modern life.” Steven Langford, chief information officer at Beaverton School District in Oregon, agreed with Fallon, adding that the loss of Digital Equity Act funds will make learning more difficult for students in underserved areas.