WASHINGTON, D.C. - Feb. 07, 2017 - The Education and Libraries Networks Coalition (EdLiNC) is extremely disappointed by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's unilateral decision to revoke the designation of several telecommunications companies as Lifeline broadband providers. This decision will significantly hamper efforts to help close the homework gap for thousands of low-income and rural students, preventing them from gaining access to online resources, to college and employment applications, and to their teachers and peers. We cannot understand the need to block the roll-out of the Lifeline broadband program now and urge the Chairman to reconsider this action.

EdLiNC is also deeply concerned by Chairman Pai's decision to rescind the recently published E-Rate progress report, which does nothing more than demonstrate the progress that the program has made in delivering robust Wi-Fi to classrooms and libraries and providing fiber broadband connection opportunities to their buildings. E-Rate has done more to connect America's public and private schools and public libraries in the past 20 years than any other state or federal program and EdLiNC remains steadfast in our commitment to ensuring the strength and viability of this program. We urge the chairman to reconsider this action. EdLiNC looks forward to working with the FCC and Chairman Pai to ensure that the E-Rate program helps meet the needs of our schools and libraries and protects the continued distribution of E-Rate discounts in an equitable way.

About EdLiNC
The Education and Libraries Networks Coalition (EdLiNC), formed in 1995 to pass and implement the E-Rate program, represents many of the major K-12 public and private education associations and the American Library Association. EdLiNC has participated in every major regulatory proceeding involving E-Rate, most recently successfully spearheading efforts to modernize the program and raise its annual spending cap. www.edlinc.org

EdLiNC Members

• AASA, The School Superintendents Association
• American Federation of Teachers
• American Library Association
• Association of School Business Officials, International
• Association of Educational Service Agencies
• Consortium for School Networking
• International Society for Technology in Education
• National Association of Elementary School Principals
• National Association of Independent Schools
• National Association of Secondary School Principals
• National Catholic Educational Association
• National Education Association
• National PTA
• National Rural Education Advocacy Consortium
• National Rural Education Association
• National School Boards Association
• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

About ISTE
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is the premier nonprofit membership organization serving educators and education leaders committed to empowering connected learners in a connected world. ISTE serves more than 100,000 education stakeholders throughout the world.

Innovative offerings include the widely adopted ISTE Standards for learning, teaching and leading in the digital age - as well as the ISTE Conference & Expo-the world's most comprehensive edtech event. The organization's robust suite of professional learning resources feature online courses, consulting services for schools and districts, books, and peer-reviewed journals and publications. For more information, visit iste.org. Connect with ISTE on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.