[CASL-L] Fwd: Student Connectivity: Likely End of Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

[Barbara Johnson]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Casey, Doug <Doug.Casey at ct.gov>
Date: Fri, Mar 8, 2024, 1:40 PM
Subject: Student Connectivity: Likely End of Affordable Connectivity
Program (ACP)
To: <CET_K-12_EDTECH at list.ct.gov>


Good afternoon,



The *Affordable Connectivity Fund
<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.affordableconnectivity.gov%2F&data=05%7C02%7CCET_K-12_EDTECH%40list.ct.gov%7Cf13e63b8708143ab5a5108dc3f9f4507%7C118b7cfaa3dd48b9b02631ff69bb738b%7C0%7C0%7C638455200479340349%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=LGsrglWMl6MrisPAwkvtpede7pDB860T3mAblY0K2RM%3D&reserved=0>*
(ACP), managed through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and
providing Internet subsidies to 186,531 Connecticut households, will likely
end next month. The ACP connects many of the students you serve, allowing
them to get online for homework outside of school. Here are some quick
takeaways for you as district leaders:



   - What Is the ACP?: The program provides a reduction in broadband
   service bills by $30 per month to qualifying households (at or below 200%
   of the poverty level as well as NSLP, SNAP, and other program enrollments).
   The program also provides $100 off the purchase of a new computer.
   - Families Contacted: Internet service providers that receive ACP funds
   to lower the net cost of family broadband subscriptions should have
   communicated to these households the timing of ACP ending and their
   connectivity options. Most will continue with low-cost options, though
   these may still be out of reach for some families. (Benchmark: 2% of
   household income — *Alliance for Affordable Internet
   <https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fa4ai.org%2Faffordable-internet-is-1-for-2%2F&data=05%7C02%7CCET_K-12_EDTECH%40list.ct.gov%7Cf13e63b8708143ab5a5108dc3f9f4507%7C118b7cfaa3dd48b9b02631ff69bb738b%7C0%7C0%7C638455200479340349%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=6HdYskPeNzZ1gi0rvBa0YRriYeiN9jqiqgoXKIHejKk%3D&reserved=0>*
   .)
   - Affected Students: For obvious privacy reasons, the FCC is not
   releasing household-level data, but Education Superhighway has developed a
   decent rundown of subscribers by town to give you a sense of the totals in
   your district. Visit *this page
   <https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.educationsuperhighway.org%2Fno-home-left-offline%2Facp-data%2F%23dashboard&data=05%7C02%7CCET_K-12_EDTECH%40list.ct.gov%7Cf13e63b8708143ab5a5108dc3f9f4507%7C118b7cfaa3dd48b9b02631ff69bb738b%7C0%7C0%7C638455200479340349%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=zf8MuK7G2MJXOXJgMfEt61IpQ6MqCPhuXUJeYATmPfA%3D&reserved=0>*
   and click Connecticut on the map.
   - State Assistance: The State at this point does not have a “bridge”
   program in place, though *House Bill 5446
   <https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB-5446&uid=doug.casey@ct.gov&which_year=2024>*
   in the current legislative session does propose a plan to develop a
   Connecticut “Internet for All” program (See Section 8 beginning on *page
   18 <https://www.cga.ct.gov/2024/TOB/H/PDF/2024HB-05446-R00-HB.PDF#page=18>*).
   If you have thoughts about the plan, feel free to leave testimony (written
   or in-person next Thursday).
   - Notify Teachers: We encourage you to let teachers know that some
   students could lose their home broadband connections for the first time
   since the pandemic, when the Emergency Broadband Benefit (precursor to ACP)
   began. This could impact their ability to complete homework.
   - Loaner Hotspots: If you have such units, you may see an increased
   demand.
   - More Information: See *this useful page
   <https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fcc.gov%2Faffordable-connectivity-program-consumer-faq&data=05%7C02%7CCET_K-12_EDTECH%40list.ct.gov%7Cf13e63b8708143ab5a5108dc3f9f4507%7C118b7cfaa3dd48b9b02631ff69bb738b%7C0%7C0%7C638455200479340349%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=exsR4krR8JCb4K8msOHSTXQgZ8OrpWRu7rIXMBFXAxQ%3D&reserved=0>*
   from the FCC about the wind-down.



Feel free to reply and share any other resources or recommendations.



Best,



Doug





[image: Blue Connecticut logo]


*DOUG CASEY *
*Executive Director *Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology
<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fct.gov%2Fedtech&data=05%7C02%7CCET_K-12_EDTECH%40list.ct.gov%7Cf13e63b8708143ab5a5108dc3f9f4507%7C118b7cfaa3dd48b9b02631ff69bb738b%7C0%7C0%7C638455200479340349%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=4C9MK6F6qyrqeFxB9f5%2BqKqrTzh%2FkajiAj0UlGxLEbc%3D&reserved=0>
Administrative Services <https://portal.ct.gov/das>
Phone: 860-622-2224
doug.casey at ct.gov





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