State Superintendent urges families to take advantage of school internet voucher program

State Superintendent urges families to take advantage of school internet voucher program

For vaccine candidates.

New details on virtual learning this year.

About 4 out of 5 free internet vouchers mailed to alabama familes - are going to waste!

The state school board shared them with local districts - so that they can make sure all families are able participate in virtual learning if needed.

Waay 31's alex torres-perez explains why they aren't being used..

Mackey - 10:32-10:42 when families get what looks like official mail and it is official mail from the government, many times they are afraid to open it, or they don't pay attention to it," state superintendent doctor eric mackey is urging families to take advantage of the alabama broadband connectivity for students.

It's a 100 million dollar program that provides free internet access to low-income families during the pandemic.

He says more than 250 thousand vouchers were sent in august.

But only 44 thousand were redeemed -- connecting 75 thousand students.

Doctor mackey says many families mistake the letters as a scam - so some vouchers get thrown away before they're even opened!

Mackey 15:11-15:31 this is a program to give free internet services to students, they should not have to pay anything, they would not be providing a bank account number, providing a credit card number, there is no charge whatsoever to the parents.

So, if anybody's asking you for money, this is not part of our program," another round of 300 thousand vouchers was just sent out.

Some of those will go to families who didn't redeem the offer during the first round.

All vouchers will be good through the end of year.

After that - dr. mackey says schools will need extended funding for the broadband program.

Mackey 17:23-17:44 "we all realize now that the impacts of covid-19 are going to go into the winter and spring and we're going to need extension.

Two things: one is some relief from congress so that the money we have can be extended and spent through the spring and then probably additional money for things like broadband.

Alabama senator doug jones told us he's already working on legislation to try and make thar happen.

He is the co-sponsor of the rural broadband access act -- which would invest about 20 billion dollars into improving broadband connection across the country.

Jones 19:28-19:40 "the pandemic really put a spotlight on the fact that we have so many people in this state that do not have access to broadband and even if they do have access, they can't afford it.

Reporting in hsv atp waay 31 news.