Sen. Ed Markey reacts to 25 Investigates report on the digital divide in remote learning

BOSTON — 25 Investigates told you about thousands of Massachusetts students struggling to stay connected with remote learning. The lack of access to computers and internet is what’s known as the digital divide.

For the last 25 years, the federal E-Rate program has funded technology in the classroom through the 1996 Telecommunications Act.

There is a push now in Washington to infuse that program with an additional $4 billion dollars, since for school children across the country, the classroom is now home. The funding could be tied to the next coronavirus relief package.

Among those advocating for the funding is Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey. He authored the original E-Rate program back in 1996.

Markey saw our reporting and spoke with Boston 25 News Anchor Kerry Kavanaugh about why he believes this funding is crucial to fill what he calls the homework gap.

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