On January 26, 2021, SHLB, COSN, SECA and other key E-rate stakeholders filed a Petition for a Declaratory Ruling asking the FCC to find that E-rate funding is eligible outside of the traditional on-campus classroom. Specifically, the Petition seeks E-rate funding to allow our nation’s schools and libraries to procure Internet connectivity equipment, and devices for funding years 2020 and 2021 to meet the educational needs of students, who are forced to learn remotely due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The FCC has long resisted such a move. While the Petition may have the support of the current FCC Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel, it remains unclear whether the Petition will prevail in light of the recent measures taken by Congress to appropriate $3.2B in funding to the FCC for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program to provide discounted broadband service and connected devices to eligible households through the Covid-19 pandemic.
These are unprecedented times that require unprecedented action and courage for the sake of our nation’s children and teachers. This Petition is but one additional step in shoring up digital equity in learning that is so desperately and critically needed now.