Congressman is House author of original E-Rate Program that helps link up schools to the Internet
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and former chairman of the Communications, Technology and the Internet Subcommittee, today issued the following statement commending the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) announcement of the “Digital Textbook Playbook”, an effort that will help schools accelerate the transition to digital textbooks. Rep. Markey was the lead House author of the original E-Rate (or “Education Rate”) program that was created as a part of the 1996 Telecommunications Act. In 2010, he introduced the E-Rate 2.0 Act (H.R. 4619) to update this highly successful program and help narrow the digital divide by increasing the range of the latest telecommunication services and devices accessible to low-income students, including funding the use of electronic books.
 
“With rapidly advancing technology, students are increasingly using tablets with pixels instead of paper and pencil,” said Rep. Markey.
 
“The FCC’s Digital Textbook Playbook reflects this advancement. By keeping schools and families connected to the most promising educational solutions, including digital textbooks, we are ensuring every American student has access to the tools needed to succeed in the 21st century classroom and beyond. When America has a plan, America wins, and the FCC’s ‘Playbook’ will keep American schools and students competitive. As author of the requirement in Recovery Act tasking the FCC to develop a National Broadband Plan, I also am pleased by the FCC’s effort to help schools expand broadband and plan for their connectivity needs.  I commend the Commission for launching this important effort, and I look forward to working with the FCC and my colleagues in Congress to promote the goals of ensuring access to telecommunications technologies for all Americans.”
 
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