EdTech Leaders Support Urgent FCC Action on E-rate Modernization to Bring High-Speed Connectivity to Every Classroom
SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - Jun 17, 2014) - A group of 100 CEOs and innovators from education technology companies including Amplify, Channel One, Class Dojo, DreamBox Learning, and LearnZillion today joined forces with EducationSuperHighway in a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) supporting Chairman Wheeler's call for modernization of the E-rate program, and for swift action to immediately address the connectivity gap, which starts with ensuring ubiquitous Wi-Fi. The group of EdTech signees represents companies at the forefront of technology development for digital learning, with direct involvement and deep understanding of the requirements for classrooms in the digital age.
The letter states that it is "imperative" for the FCC to act quickly to bring high-speed broadband to every school, supporting Chairman Wheeler's call for prompt action to ensure connectivity to millions more students' desks by the 2015 school year. The EdTech group said that nearly 40 million K-12 students are currently without the Internet access and Wi-Fi needed to personalize learning, empower teachers, connect parents, and ensure equal educational opportunities for all. The next generation of educational applications and content these companies are creating, the letter stated, will give students the skills they need for the jobs of the future.
"We cannot let another year pass without providing our students the bandwidth they need for digital learning," said Josh Reibel, CEO of Amplify Learning. "Moving quickly to ensure schools have robust wireless access immediately is a critical first step in the E-rate modernization process."
"This group of innovators is not only hard at work creating groundbreaking new digital learning technology poised to transform American education, but they are also fueling what could be a $10 billion U.S. market," said Evan Marwell, CEO of EducationSuperHighway. "We applaud their vision to help reimagine classroom learning, and we stand with them in support of early action and immediate resolution of the Wi-Fi gap, to provide millions of students with a more connected future."
EducationSuperHighway is a non-profit organization working to enable high-speed Internet access in every classroom in America so that all students can take advantage of the promise of digital learning. Backed by Mark Zuckerberg's Startup:Education and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the team of educators, engineers, and business executives is led by successful entrepreneur Evan Marwell.
Contact Wynne Ahern Kokka
CommStrat for EducationSuperHighway
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