3-step plan to speed up student learning

[Commentary] On June 28 I am submitting a proposal to my fellow Federal Communications Commission members to modernize our E-rate program to ensure all of our children and their teachers, access to the best learning technology. But first, we need clear goals to modernize the program and I propose three, leading with providing our schools and libraries with affordable access to high capacity broadband.

We must maximize the cost effectiveness of purchases made using E-Rate support to ensure that we are meeting our broadband goals at the lowest possible cost. And we need to ensure the administrative efficiency of the program. Second, we have to revitalize the program to ensure it is efficiently targeted to those goals. We must be data-driven, and willing to follow the data wherever it leads, including taking a hard look at where we're spending money today. And, we have to consider how best to distribute funding fairly, consider eliminating support for outdated services, and reallocate any savings toward investments in more bandwidth. Third, we need to use this opportunity to bring to the table state and local officials, foundations, network operators and innovators building the next generation of learning tools and content. We must leverage the ongoing massive private investments in networks and ensure that investments in connectivity are the foundation for real positive change in classrooms. To do that, all stakeholders need to be working hand-in-hand.