Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that access to digital communications tools and connectivity is necessary to prepare youth in the United States to compete in the 21st century economy.

Bill: 114-hres-939
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large]
Introduced: 2016-11-30
Policy area: Education
Latest action: action_date: 2016-12-06
text: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 1 (Roll no. 605). (text: CR H7200-7201)

Summaries:
action_date: 2016-11-30
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that access to digital communications tools and connectivity is necessary to prepare youth to compete in the economy.</p>

action_date: 2016-12-06
action_desc: Passed House without amendment
text: <p>(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)</p> <p>Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that access to digital communications tools and connectivity is necessary to prepare youth to compete in the economy.</p>

tv_txt: IV 114th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 939 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 30, 2016 Mr. Welch submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that access to digital communications tools and connectivity is necessary to prepare youth in the United States to compete in the 21st century economy.

Whereas the United States should lead the world in providing high-quality education and opportunities to its citizens; Whereas digital skills are essential for education and preparing citizens for the economy of the future; Whereas, on a daily basis, teachers across the country assign homework that requires Internet access to be completed; Whereas there are 5,000,000 households with school-age children in the United States that do not have high-speed Internet access at home and fall into what is known as the homework gap ; Whereas a disproportionate number of students without high-speed Internet access at home reside in low-income and minority households; Whereas students and families in rural areas face additional challenges when homework requires Internet access that is out of reach; Whereas every student deserves an opportunity at 21st century success; Whereas participation in the classroom can be improved when all students are equipped with the tools to complete their homework; Whereas educators can increase the use of cutting-edge education technology and digital learning resources when those resources remain accessible during out-of-school hours; Whereas data show that students have received lower grades and been unable to complete their assignments because of their lack of Internet access at home; Whereas improved student access to postsecondary education and workforce opportunities can be made possible by increasing the ability of students to apply for employment, postsecondary education, and financial aid opportunities; Whereas leaders in the public and private sectors have recognized that the homework gap is an issue of national importance and partnered to find cooperative solutions to address it; and Whereas instilling digital skills and the knowledge to succeed in the 21st century economy in the Nation’s students is vital to the Nation’s global competitiveness: Now, therefore, be it

That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that access to digital communications tools and connectivity is necessary to prepare youth in the United States to compete in the 21st century economy.

tv_txt: IV 114th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 939 In the House of Representatives, U. S., December 6, 2016 RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that all students should have access to the digital tools necessary to further their education and compete in the 21st century economy.

Whereas the United States should lead the world in providing high-quality education and opportunities to its citizens; Whereas digital skills are essential for education and preparing citizens for the economy of the future; Whereas, on a daily basis, teachers across the country assign homework that requires Internet access to be completed; Whereas there are 5 million households with school-age children in the United States that do not have high-speed Internet access at home and fall into what is known as the homework gap ; Whereas a disproportionate number of students without high-speed Internet access at home reside in low-income and minority households; Whereas students and families in rural areas face additional challenges when homework requires Internet access that is out of reach; Whereas every student deserves an opportunity at 21st century success; Whereas participation in the classroom can be improved when all students are equipped with the tools to complete their homework; Whereas educators can increase the use of cutting-edge education technology and digital learning resources when those resources remain accessible during out-of-school hours; Whereas data show that students have received lower grades and been unable to complete their assignments because of their lack of Internet access at home; Whereas improved student access to postsecondary education and workforce opportunities can be made possible by increasing the ability of students to apply for employment, postsecondary education, and financial aid opportunities; Whereas leaders in the public and private sectors have recognized that the homework gap is an issue of national importance and partnered to find cooperative solutions to address it; and Whereas instilling digital skills and the knowledge to succeed in the 21st century economy in the Nation’s students is vital to the Nation’s global competitiveness: Now, therefore, be it

That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that all students should have access to the digital tools necessary to further their education and compete in the 21st century economy.

Karen L. Haas, Clerk.