Educators to Senate HELP Committee: Distance Learning Dollars, Equity, Are Keys to Reopening Schools

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Educators told the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pension (HELP) Committee on June 10 that access to technology is key to reopening schools in the new normal of COVID-19 and they could use some help in the form of government dollars. John King, former Education Secretary under President Barack Obama, said that before COVID-19, 79% of households had broadband versus only 66% of black households and 61% of Hispanic households. He said that lack of equitable access is not only a distance learning issue and an obstacle to hybrid remote/in person education, but "an emergency preparedness issue in the event of further widespread closures." He said to make sure home broadband access for students is even possible, the Congress needs to add at least $4 billion to the Federal Communications Commission's E-rate subsidy program for Wi-Fi hot spots and devices.

Matthew Blomsted, the Nebraska Department of Education commissioner of education, said that number one on the list of five back-to-school priorities was to "enhance technology infrastructure (broadband, devices, platforms, data privacy) for students and families."  He told the committee he was concerned that the state lacks "the technology infrastructure to provide remote learning for sustained periods of time as well as make the investments in the appropriate resources and supports." He added that without more federal money for K-12 education in the next COVID-19 aid bill, "it may be difficult for states that are already strapped for funding in several sectors to meet the critical needs to keep schools open." 


Educators: Distance Learning Dollars, Equity, Are Keys to Reopening (Multichannel News) COVID-19: Going Back to School Safely (Hearing Page)