A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Contact:
Julie Green
(202) 401-3026

STATEMENT BY U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION RICHARD W. RILEY
In support of Chairman Kennard's recommendation to fully fund the E-Rate

The decision by Chairman Bill Kennard of the FCC to fully fund the E-Rate is an important step toward providing needed resources for America's students and teachers. As the incredible enthusiasm of the nation's schools and libraries during the first year of this program has demonstrated, the E-Rate is an education initiative that makes sense by making a real difference in the learning opportunities of young people.

By providing access to telecommunications services, internal connections within a school, and Internet access, the E-Rate is making a real difference in the work of schools and libraries. Used responsibly and with the guidance of teachers and parents, these tools can enhance traditional classroom activities and strengthen teaching and learning.

In just its first year, more than 80 percent of all public schools from every corner of the nation have begun reaping the benefits of the wealth of technological learning resources that are now available through the E-rate. Full funding of the E-rate, at $2.25 billion, is needed to ensure that our neediest schools and libraries continue to get access to critical telecommunications services. It will allow more than 500,000 new classrooms to be hooked into these tools for teaching and learning.

I am particularly pleased by the impact that the E-Rate has already had in strengthening learning opportunities for students who might not otherwise have them, because they live in rural areas or communities that are less well off. The E-Rate is helping to eliminate the digital divide and raise standards of learning in every school and classroom.

I am hopeful that the FCC will support Chairman Kennard's recommendation for full funding of the E-Rate in its second year. We can reach the goal set by Vice President Gore to link to every classroom to the Internet by the year 2000 and to make sure that every student can learn to high standards.

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