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For Immediate Release

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Alicja Johnson, SHLB Coalition: ajohnson@shlb.org / 571-327-4592
Kelsea Kierstead, Funds For Learning: kelsea@cblohm.com / 608-216-7300 ext. 24
Heidi Payter, CoSN: hpayter@fratelli.com / 202-822-9491



CoSN, Funds For Learning, SHLB, SETDA Praise Congressional Efforts to Close Learning Gap
 
Washington, D.C. (May 12, 2020) — Today the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), Funds For Learning, the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition and the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) issued the following statement supporting Sen. Ed Markey’s (D-MA) companion bill to Rep. Grace Meng’s (D-NY) Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020, which would provide $4 billion in E-Rate funding for off-campus internet connections: 
“CoSN, Funds For Learning, SHLB and SETDA applaud Sen. Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Meng (D-NY) for taking the lead on connecting the 7.15 million U.S. families without internet access at home. We encourage Congress to provide $5.25 billion in E-Rate funding to pay for home broadband so that all students, teachers and library patrons can continue their education online. The country is facing an unprecedented crisis that has drastically changed teaching and learning for the foreseeable future. Congressional leaders have an obligation to ensure that students have broadband service at home, that they have devices to engage in online learning, and that the broadband network and individual users are safe and secure. 

“Funds For Learning estimates that $5.25 billion in additional federal funding is necessary to meet the needs of learners, teachers and library patrons nationwide. Schools and libraries should also be authorized to use the most cost-effective technologies to solve this problem.

“Congress must act now so that schools are prepared for the new year in September.”

More information about the urgent need to connect students, teachers and library patrons to the internet is available in the following resources: 

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About CoSN 
CoSN (the Consortium for School Networking) is the premier professional association for school system technology leaders. CoSN provides thought leadership resources, community best practices and advocacy tools to help leaders succeed in the digital transformation. CoSN represents over 13 million students in school districts nationwide and continues to grow as a powerful and influential voice in K-12 education. cosn.org

About Funds for Learning
Funds For Learning (FFL) is a compliance firm that specializes in the federal E-rate funding program for schools and libraries. FFL supports E-rate stakeholders in all fifty states, helping them navigate the application process to receive support for Internet access and Wi-Fi connectivity. fundsforlearning.com

About SHLB
The SHLB Coalition is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) advocacy organization that supports open, affordable, high-quality broadband connections for anchor institutions and their surrounding communities. The SHLB Coalition is based in Washington, D.C. and has a diverse membership of commercial and non-commercial organizations from across the United States. To learn more, visit www.shlb.org.

About SETDA 
The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit membership association launched by state education agency leaders in 2001 to serve, support and represent their emerging interests and needs with respect to the use of technology for teaching, learning, and school operations. setda.org
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