Education Dept., Civic Nation Launch Affordable Broadband Campaign

The Department of Education has teamed up with Civic Nation to launch its Online for All campaign, which will focus on internet access, affordability, and digital equity for students, families, and all Americans.

The two organizations kicked off the partnership with a “Week of Action” late last month aimed at bringing together the Federal government and partner organizations to raise awareness about the program and drive enrollment.

According to a White House fact sheet, over 300 organizations have joined Civic Nation and the Department of Education in the effort.

“No student should have to travel to a library, coffeeshop, or parking lot to get connected to the internet to do their homework or complete their college applications, and yet that is still the reality for too many students,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten said in a press release.

“It is vital that our students and their families have access to quality, reliable, affordable, high-speed internet to stay connected and engaged with their schools and each other,” Marten added. “The ‘Online for All’ campaign will help meet that need for so many.”

As part of the Week of Action, more than 300 organizations hosted activities to help drive awareness to the program.

For example, Dell Technologies spread the word at its Reimagining Digital Equity celebration in Nashville, Tenn., “celebrating the culmination of a four-week program where Dell Technologies’ team members joined nonprofit partners to create tangible solutions for challenges the organizations face when confronted with the digital divide,” according to the White House fact sheet.

“Through Online For All, Civic Nation is bringing together more than 300 local and national organizations across the country to ensure the 17 million households that are unconnected, but are eligible for the ACP, have access to high-speed internet – because online is for all of us,” said Jalakoi Solomon, executive vice president of campaigns and partnerships at Civic Nation.

Funding to help students and their families afford internet access comes from Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP program, administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), offers a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households, and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.

Additionally, eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet.