Petition Calls on Congress to Preserve Essential Broadband Support for Schools and Libraries as Connectivity Needs Grow
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 21, 2026) – CoSN — The Consortium for School Networking this week sent a petition to Congress signed by 464 education and community leaders from across the country, urging policymakers to protect and strengthen the E-Rate program and emphasizing the critical role affordable, high-capacity broadband plays in teaching, learning and school operations.
The petition comes as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) considers potential changes to E-Rate, including proposals that could narrow or terminate the program. Signers warn that reducing or eliminating E-Rate support would create significant budget challenges for schools and libraries and could undermine the program’s longstanding mission of connecting them to affordable broadband services.
“E-Rate is not simply about connecting classrooms to the internet. It is essential infrastructure that schools rely on every day to support students, educators and communities,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN. “At a moment when we are asking schools to prepare students for an increasingly AI-driven economy, weakening the connectivity that makes modern learning possible would move us in exactly the wrong direction. Congress should protect E-Rate, strengthen cybersecurity protections for K-12 networks, and preserve the ability of state and local communities to make the technology and instructional decisions that best meet the needs of their students.”
The petition represents education and community leaders across 35 states and the District of Columbia, with signers from school districts, education organizations and other institutions serving communities of different sizes across the country.
For nearly three decades, E-Rate has helped schools and libraries access affordable, high-capacity broadband. Today, E-Rate-supported networks enable digital learning, online assessments, student information systems, communications with families, school safety systems, and access to the educational resources students need to succeed. The petition identifies E-Rate as the nation’s most important education broadband program and the fifth-largest source of federal funding for schools.
The coalition respectfully urges Congress to exercise its oversight authority and encourage the FCC to preserve E-Rate’s core mission of expanding universal affordable broadband access for schools and libraries while strengthening cybersecurity protections for K-12 networks. Congress should reject efforts that would weaken, narrow, or undermine this critical program.
To read the petition, visit: www.cosn.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CoSN-Save-E-rate-Petition-Final-Sent-to-Congress-002.pdf
About CoSN
CoSN, the world-class professional association for K-12 education technology leaders, stands at the forefront of education innovation. We are driven by a mission to equip current and aspiring K-12 education technology leaders, their teams, and school districts with the community, knowledge, and professional development they need to cultivate engaging learning environments. Our vision is rooted in a future where every learner reaches their unique potential, guided by our community. CoSN represents over 2,000 school districts and 14 million students and continues to grow as a powerful and influential voice in K-12 education. www.cosn.org
MEDIA CONTACT: Makenzie Carlin, mcarlin@fratelli.com
