Public to Gain Access to School Computers
An unexpected result of the recession and high unemployment rate: the nation’s libraries are being deluged by jobseekers who use the free, public-access computer terminals to look for work. To help take the pressure off libraries, and to further its agenda to give more Americans access to broadband Internet connections, the Federal Communications Commission has OKd a rule change that will allow public schools with government-funded computers to make them available to the general public in off-hours, according to Arstechnica.com. “Computer terminals at public access points that sit dormant waste an important opportunity to help members of the public search for jobs,” says Commissioner Mignon Clyburn.
Schools that get federal E-Rate funds to purchase computers and broadband connections can make those terminals available to the public on evenings, weekends and during school breaks, under the order. However, the FCC says, auditors will ensure that schools aren’t asking for more E-Rate funds than needed to accommodate their students. Cash-strapped schools, however, may balk at the plan, the website notes, because they’ll have to pony up money to pay for offhours supervisors and technical support. Meanwhile, a bill pending in the U.S. House would allow E-Rate to fund e-book readers for students and pay for home broadband connections for low-income students.
Filed under: K-12 Education News
