The e-rate program, which the Federal Communications Commission oversees, was authorized by Congress in the Telecommunications Act of 1996. But the program has raised political and corporate hackles. Consider some of the other complications. Most have no idea yet how to integrate the Net into their lesson plans. And most schools don't have technical support staffs to repair broken computers or answer questions.
Equity is a serious issue.
Students with Internet access will have potentially much greater learning opportunities than those who don't. And perhaps more importantly, knowing how to use the Internet is itself an increasingly sought-after job skill. Many educators worry that the have-nots could be left out yet again. Schools serving poor areas are still only half as likely to be on the Net as those in wealthy communities. Some of the concern about the Internet has been about pornography.