I’ve written quite a bit about our school’s efforts, other similar programs, and new national initiatives to get Internet access and computers into the homes of low-income students and their families (see The Best Resources For Learning About Schools Providing Home Computers & Internet Access To Students).
I’ve just seen the public announcement by the Federal Communications Commission laying-out their 2012 plan to make a huge effort towards this goal happen, and it really sounds impressive.
I must admit to a bit of skepticism, as well. During my nineteen year community organizing career, I saw many big public pronouncements from government bodies or private institutions like banks about huge investments they were going to make in programs to help low-income communities. Sometimes those words would turn into reality, and sometimes they wouldn’t.
Let’s hope this one actually happens….
January 6, 2012 at 11:39 am
What about all the private internet companies (like comcast and now others) that plan on offering internet access for $10/month to low-income families? Is that part of the FCC plan or separate from it?
January 6, 2012 at 11:47 am
John,
It’s part of the plan.
Larry
January 6, 2012 at 12:02 pm
I guess that makes sense.
It’s still disappointing that these companies couldn’t have come up with a humanitarian plan like that on their own.