Yesterday, budget amendment 684 which would establish a Broadband Equity Commission, was unanimously passed in the Massachusetts State House of Representatives. The amendment was filed by Education Committee Chairwoman Alice Peisch of Wellesley which would establish a special commission to study equity and access to telecommunications services for students and families in Massachusetts. The commission would also be tasked with making recommendations to address inequity and the digital divide for students and families with limited access to telecommunications services. Latinos for Education issued the following statement in response to the amendment:

“We’d like to formally thank Speaker DeLeo, Chairman Michlewitz, and Chairwoman Peisch for championing the issue of broadband equity, and for their longstanding commitment to ensuring equity for our most vulnerable students and families. We look forward to working with the Massachusetts Senate to pass this amendment in the coming days. Now more than ever, students and families need innovative and immediate solutions to help ensure they can continue receiving a high-quality education and accessing important services, and that begins with ensuring tech para todos – access to tech devices and broadband access for all. Broadband equity should be an imperative for all in the Commonwealth to assure our economic advantage in the national and global economy.”

If passed in the Senate, the commission could include members from local organizations specializing in education and technology, including Latinos for Education. Other potential commission members include the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Inc., the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, Inc., the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, Inc., the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Inc., the Massachusetts Teachers Association, and the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts.

About Latinos for Education
Latinos for Education is a Boston-based, national education non-profit organization focused on developing, placing, and connecting essential Latino talent in the education sector. The organization is mobilizing a network of skilled education leaders to ensure the voice of students and families is not only heard but factored into decision-making in schools, communities, and education institutions throughout the U.S. The organization also ensures Latino education professionals have access to a nationwide network of peers as well as career and professional development opportunities across the country through the members-only EdCentro network. For more information visit: https://www.latinosforeducation.org.