Representative Angie Craig Announces $4.4 Million in Funding for Second District Schools and Libraries to Help Access Internet at Home and Close the Homework Gap

WASHINGTON, DC —Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig announced that Minnesota's Second District has received $4.478 million to date from the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Emergency Connectivity Fund Program (ECF). The ECF program, which was created as part of the American Rescue Plan, helps schools and libraries ensure that students can connect to the internet at home, allowing them to take advantage of online learning and complete their homework. Known as the "homework gap," students who lack access to the internet at home often fall behind their peers as curricula and educational opportunities rely more and more on the ability to conduct online research and connect to the web.

"The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare what was already true – that with educational tools, homework, and opportunities increasingly online – kids without home internet access are often left without the basics needed to thrive in the classroom," said Representative Craig. "This critical funding, made possible by the American Rescue Plan, helps children across the Second District who don't have the equipment or internet access necessary to stay connected and get their work done. I'm proud to have supported this program and will keep fighting to close the homework gap because students – regardless of zip code or circumstance – deserve the tools they need to succeed in school."

Studies indicate that as many as 16 million students don't have internet service at home, making it difficult to complete homework or to do research once the school day ends. As part of the American Rescue Plan, which Craig helped to pass last Spring, the ECF Program was awarded $7.1 billion to help cover costs of laptop and tablet computers, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connectivity purchases for off-campus use by students, school staff and library patrons.

The schools and libraries in the Second District that have received funding from the FCC program include All Saints School, Dakota County Library, Farmington School District 192, Fit Academy 4244-07, Gateway Stem Academy, Goodhue County Education District, Great Oaks Academy, Hastings Independent School District 200, Inver Grove School District 199, Independent School District #197 West St Paul, Independent School District 719 Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, Jordan School District 717, Lake City School District 813, Lakeville Independent School District 194, Northfield School District 659, Red Wing School District 256, Rosemount Independent School District 196, Shakopee School District 720, South St. Paul Schools - Special School District #6, South Washington County School District 833, Southwest Metro Intermediate District 288, St John The Baptist School, St Joseph Elementary School, St.Wenceslaus School, Wabasha-Kellogg Public School and Zumbrota-Mazeppa Independent School District.

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