"In order for 21st-century distance-learning opportunities to continue to flourish and allow more consumers real-time availability to convenient and affordable education, immediate access to affordable broadband must continue to grow-, says Dr. John G. Flores, Executive Director of the USDLA. "This paper highlights the measures we believe need to be taken in order to advance online learning and opportunity - and broadband access is a huge component of that need."

He adds, "Online learning via the web, videoconferencing, or satellite is keeping students engaged and in school, especially at-risk youth who are able to overcome educational obstacles because of the flexible and exciting nature of distance learning. Students and lifelong learners are reaching their goals because of broadband-technology applications."

The four measures outlined in the paper are as follows:

• Educators and education officials should move forward with the development of online-based curriculum and the digital content to support it.
• Policymakers should review accreditation rules, teacher-licensing requirements, copyright law, and other laws and regulations that may unintentionally undermine the effectiveness of online learning and limit the use of digital technologies in the classroom.
• Policymakers should redouble efforts to deliver broadband connectivity and the opportunity to enjoy online learning to every American, with universal deployment and adoption of broadband as the first priority in national technology policy.
• Policymakers should explore measures to enable the deployment and adoption of broadband in high-cost areas and avoid policies, including unnecessary regulation that can raise costs and make it harder for less-affluent school districts and individuals to fully adopt broadband technology.