December 09, 2020

Duckworth Meets with Rock Island-Milan School Superintendent to Discuss Digital Equity and the Impact of COVID-19

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined Dr. Reginald Lawrence, the Superintendent of Rock Island-Milan School District #41, for a virtual meeting to discuss impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Rock Island’s school system, including enrollment, funding, COVID-19 testing and the need for digital equity.

“As school districts like Rock Island continue full remote learning into the new year, this pandemic continues to highlight the need for federal relief to our schools and more support for equitable and reliable internet connections,” said Duckworth. “Countless teachers, school districts and young people, particularly Black and Brown young people, are struggling with the realities of COVID-19. I’ll keep advocating for schools across Illinois to make sure they have the assistance they need and deserve.

Duckworth has been a longtime supporter of education. In September, she joined her Senate colleagues in writing a letter to the Federal Communications Commission urging it to immediately utilize the E-Rate program to provide internet connectivity to students at home. These students are disproportionally from communities of color, low-income households, and rural areas. Duckworth is also a co-sponsor of the Coronavirus Child Care and Education Relief Act, which would provide $430 billion in relief to students, families, schools and educators across the country during this pandemic. In the HEROES Act, she successfully worked to include provisions that would extend the Pandemic EBT program for families with children who would have otherwise received free or reduced price meals in school, through the summer and until schools reopen.

 

-30-