RICHARD SHELBY
ALABAMA
RANKING MrMBER-COMMtTIEE ON BANKING, HOUSING,
&: URBAN AffAIRS
COMMITTEE ON Af"PAOPAlATIONS
RANKING MEMBER-SUBCOMMITTEE ON LABOR, HEALTH
&: HUMAN SeR\I1CE.S. EDUCATION & RELATED AGENCIES
COMMrTT£E ON RULES & AoMUIIISTRATION
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING
304 RUSSEll SeNATE OffICE BUlll)lNG
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-0103
(202) 224-5144
tiotted ~tgtes ~cngte
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-0103
March 28, 2012
STATE OFFICES:
o 1800 FIFTH Avt;NUE NORnl
321 FED£RAL BUILDING
BIRMINGKAM. Al 35203
12051731-1384
o HUNTS....lllE INTERNAnONAl AIRPORT
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Box 20127
HUNTSVILLE, Al 35824
(256) 772-0460
a 113 SAINT JOSEPH STREET
445 U.S. COURTHOUSE
MOBILE, AL 36602
(251) 694-4164
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FMJ FEDERAL BLDG., SUITE 208
MONTGOMERV, AL 36104
(334)223-7303
The Honorable Julius Genachowski
Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20554
Dear Chairman Julis Genachowski:
o 2005 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD, SUITE 2100
TUSCALOOSA, AL 35401
(2051759-5047
I am writing in regard to the Piedmont City School District's participation in the FCC's "Learning on the
Go" (LOTG) pilot program.
The FCC selected the Piedmont City School District to be one of20 participants in the LOTG program,
which enables schools and libraries to deliver internet connectivity and digital learning over portable devices
outside of their facilities. The Piedmont City School District was the only school district in Alabama chosen to
participate in the program, and I am especially proud of its successes in increasing technology utilization in
underserved populations.
The Piedmont City School District has become a national leader in educational technology, as evidenced by
the success of the district's "MPower Piedmont" one-to-one laptop initiative, which provides a computer to all
students in fourth through twelfth grade and has put a computer in 500 homes for the first time. These
accomplishments are particularly noteworthy given the city's rural demographics and low household incomes, with
65 percent of students qualifying for free or reduced-price school meals. Participating in the LOTG program will
allow the Piedmont City School District to extend its learning day by providing at-home internet access for all
students, including those who were previously financially prevented from obtaining at-home internet access.
It is my understanding that the FCC has extended the LOTG pilot to October 31, 2012. However, this
extension allows less than a six-month window for implementation and evaluation of the success of the pilot. I am
writing to offer my support and mge your consideration of the Piedmont City School District's proposal to extend
its pilot program for two years in order to collect sufficient data for an effective evaluation. Furthermore, I ask that
you extend an invitation to the Piedmont City School District to meet with you and your staff regarding its impact
on the educational opportunities for students in rural Alabama.
Thank you for your time and consideration. If I can answer any questions or provide additional
information, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Sincerely,
~~
Richard Shelby
RCS:mvy
cc: Commissioner Robert McDowell
Commissioner Mignon Clybul'l1
hItp:llshel by.senate. govl
0417