Arkansas education advocate reacts to approaching expiration of Affordable Connectivity Program
Arkansas received more than $122 million in federal funding in recent years to provide internet access for those in need.
The White House says the Affordable Connectivity Program is saving some Arkansas families about $6.4 million each month on their internet bills. It's a bipartisan infrastructure law that was passed by Congress in 2021, but funds will expire on Wednesday.
The president of the Arkansas Education Association says the Affordable Connectivity Program has made it easier for students in local-income and rural areas to access the internet and participate in educational activities.
"And with the loss of that, I'm concerned about students that won't be able to connect anymore," Arkansas Education Association president April Reisma said.
Data provided by The White House shows just over 215,000 households in the state of Arkansas are enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program. That's roughly one in six households. The program can save families anywhere from $30 to $75 each month. The Arkansas Education Association says all students need internet access to make sure they're properly prepared for college and the real world.
"We should not allow poverty to hinder anybody from learning or the potential to learn," Reisma said. "And as a state, it is our responsibility to provide an avenue for those students to be able to succeed."
Republican U.S. Sen. John Boozman from Arkansas sent KHBS a statement, saying federal broadband investment in underserved areas continues to be a priority. He went on to say, "We have allocated significant resources to connecting consumers and we must continue building on these efforts to deliver access to rural citizens who currently do not have access to reliable internet service."