FCC Applauded for Today’s Vote to Improve E-Rate to Provide Greater Access to Innovative, Personalized Learning Environments for America’s Students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 11, 2014
FCC Applauded for Today’s Vote to Improve E-Rate to Provide Greater Access to Innovative, Personalized Learning Environments for America’s Students

The International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) congratulates the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for taking positive action to modernize the E-Rate program for U.S. schools and libraries and driving change for the public good in expanding access to broadband for our nation’s students. At the close of today’s FCC open meeting, Susan Patrick, iNACOL’s President and CEO, released the following statement:

“Today’s vote toward a modernized E-Rate program is a significant step to ensure America’s students are prepared to meet future challenges. While we will continue to need the basics, our students need new skills and we need to update our education system to prepare all Americans for the challenges of the 21st century. Providing improved Internet access in our nation’s schools and libraries is a major step in the right direction. Chairman Wheeler and Commissioners Clyburn and Rosenworcel have supported a crucial update of E-Rate to expand essential internal wi-fi connectivity for school and community learning environments. With this change, we applaud the FCC’s work to simplify and streamline the process for our schools and libraries.

“This vote underscores how vitally important it is that education leaders continue to work with the FCC to strengthen and update the E-Rate program to make certain our students get the best education possible. Across the country, innovative educators are transforming learning environments to enable highly personalized learning experiences for students through blended and online learning. These new models of learning cannot succeed without high-speed broadband connections to schools and robust internal connectivity to bring those connections to each educator and learner. Thanks to the leadership and support of the FCC today, more of America’s students will have access to these opportunities.”

For more information, please contact Maria Worthen, iNACOL’s Vice President for Federal and State Policy – [email protected]

About iNACOL

The mission of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) is to ensure all students have access to a world-class education and quality blended and online learning opportunities that prepare them for a lifetime of success. iNACOL is a non-profit organization focused on research; developing policy for student-centered education to ensure equity and access; developing quality standards for emerging learning models using online, blended, and competency-based education; and supporting the ongoing professional development of classroom, school, district and state leaders for new learning models.