One initiative, known as the E-Rate, is a national discount for Internet access for libraries and schools. In addition to a national broadband plan that includes $7.2 billion for rural areas, the federal government is discussing the expansion of the E-Rate, a development that Oster said is “wonderful news” because without it, much of the technology in public schools would not be possible.
That technology includes the South Dakota Virtual School, which allows the 120,000 K-12 students in the state to take online classes to which they would otherwise lack access.
“We believe that the virtual school then provides equal educational opportunities for students across our state irregardless of where they live or what their ZIP code is,” Oster said, noting that some state school districts encompass more area than the state of Rhode Island.
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