Could putting wi-fi on school buses help close the homework gap?

Senator Udall (D-NM) calls on the FCC to make wi-fi Internet available on school buses by expanding the E-rate program, a federal program that helps schools and libraries obtain broadband access.

Twenty-three million rural households – including their children – lack access to a broadband connection, and in those communities there can be significant distance between home and school. If students have to spend hours per day on buses to and from school, why not give them the opportunity to do homework, much of which now requires an Internet connection to complete?

But installing wi-fi on buses is not currently part of the E-rate, which is why Udall is calling for an expansion of the program.

"This strikes me as a bright idea to help extend internet access to students while they travel to and from school. A handful of school districts are already experimenting with this 'Wi-Fi on wheels,'" Sen. Udall wrote to FCC Chairman Wheeler. "Since schools cannot currently use E-Rate to support such service, however, it is unlikely to reach rural schools in my home state of New Mexico."

Link:

Inspired by Hatch HS Student, Udall Calls on FCC to Make Wi-Fi Available on School Buses (Senator Udall, Oct. 3, 2016)