FL H0985

Department of Education must publish a report on its website by November 1, 2021, detailing federal relief funding and other funding sources used by each school district in 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years for Internet access, devices, and learning management systems.

Report must include the amount of unexpended federal relief funding by source and the estimated number and percentage of students without Internet access or suitable devices by district.

Report must document state and local initiatives providing students with Internet access or devices, and identify barriers school districts face in closing the digital divide.

Department must identify effective programming, initiatives, and strategies for providing Internet access and devices, and in consultation with the Office of Broadband, make recommendations for appropriating remaining federal relief funding according to geographical need and best practices.

Act becomes effective July 1, 2021.