All across the state, there are schools starting back up for the fall. As we are all eager to get our kids back to school, many parents and school officials are facing difficult decisions about whether to teach kids in person or move to an all-virtual or hybrid model. While this will present challenges for students and teachers alike, there is an entire segment of the population that will struggle to gain access to virtual learning or, in some cases, be completely left out.
Alabamians living in rural parts of the state have been left behind when it comes to broadband, and this digital divide will become well known as some kids are not able to attend virtual class. This is unacceptable. For far too long, rural communities have lacked necessary access to broadband, and the COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on why this issue is so important. To be clear, rural broadband is not a new issue, but the prospect of kids not being able to learn due to a weak infrastructure makes this issue one of the most important the state is facing.
Just a few days ago in Lawrence County, a middle school and an elementary school announced they will go completely virtual for the fall semester. While these are just two schools, the fact of the matter is that this is happening across the country and across the state; and it is concerning to think how those young children will be able to learn on a virtual platform. However, my worry that these kids will not even have a chance to learn online is even greater. Kids have always and will always be the future, and we must ensure they have the educational resources they need to grow up and make a difference in Alabama and the rest of the world. So, the simple fact is this, no child should be forced to sacrifice school because they don’t have reliable broadband.
I welcome Governor Ivey’s decision to allocate $100 million of CARES Act funds to bring increased broadband connectivity for students currently eligible for free and reduced-price school meals. The Alabama Broadband Connectivity program will partner with internet providers to secure internet access desperately needed by children confined to learn at home. The cooperation of internet providers, big and small, is vital to the success of this important program. I have been fighting to get connectivity for Alabama’s kids all throughout 2020 and this program will certainly help. I appreciate the leadership taken by Governor Ivey and State Superintendent Mackey to quickly ramp up at home educational resources. I also urge them to make sure the Alabama Broadband Connectivity program covers students right across our state.
The COVID-19 crisis has shone a light on the need to improve Alabama’s broadband infrastructure. Although I welcome programs like Alabama Broadband Connectivity, we cannot keep applying temporary broadband band-aids, we need permanent solutions. Hotspots and cellular buses will help some children this fall but to secure long-term connectivity for families and children we need serious infrastructure investment. That is why I led a bipartisan letter to congressional leadership earlier this month, urging them to make permanent broadband infrastructure an eligible expense for CARES Act funds. This investment would not only meet increased short-term demand of students learning at home but help close the long-term digital divide and end the “homework gap” in Alabama. The money has already been appropriated by Congress. Let’s use it on long-term solutions which more effectively secure broadband access for students learning at home across Alabama.
This issue is not partisan and it never should be, because caring for our future generation is something both sides of the aisle can agree on. Just because a young child lives in a rural community does not mean they must sacrifice their education, especially now. High quality and reliable rural broadband is long overdue, and time is of the essence. I will continue to fight for permanent broadband infrastructure until we get it done.
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04) is a Republican from Haleyville.
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