Secretary
FCC
Washington, DC 20554
April 2, 1996

Dear Sirs:

In response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published on March 8, 1 996, 1 would like to make comment. I have taught in the public schools for 21 years and am an active telecommmunicator. I am convinced of the power of telecommunications to stimulate the learning process both for students and for teachers, and deeply encourage the FCC's continued progress towards providing universal access for schools.

I would like to underscore the importance of universal access for students at the elementary level to information via telecommunications. This access is perhaps the most hopeful new factor to open schools to the community. For too long schools have suffered the isolation of the four-wall of the classroom, six hours of the day, and two sides of the books. Teaching is a lonely profession, and with the advent of telecommunications (from home at this point, but an important breakthrough nonetheless), I have felt profoundly connected to others within my profession. I feel very strongly that the ability to connect with other educators and with educational sources of information has deeply affected my professional growth and allowed me to greatly improve my teaching.

When my students are finally able to access information services I am also certain that their abilities to gather, manipulate and understand information will expand exponentially. I am greatly encouraged by the progress we have made with the telecommunications bill and would like to make particular response to the following sections of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

Section 80 refers to the issue of defining a geographic area for the application of the services provided to schools and libraries I think this should be the area served by the telecommunications carrier in its entirety

Section 81 refers to wireless technologies. I have been intrigued by the concept of wireless technologies since attending an ARPA demonstration in May of 1993. 1 feel strongly that existing infrastructure of public schools could be wired for telecommunication only at great cost, and the wireless technologies could provide a much more accessible strategy for connecting the schools. I encourage the FCC to support development of appropriate wireless technologies for telecommunication in the schools.

Section 84 refers to the entitlement of schools and libraries to a discount for telecommunications services for educational purposes. I support the process of providing written certification by the institution of their intention to use the connection for educational purposes.

Section 85 refers to the process of qualifying 'bona fide' requests for educational service. I support the recommendation that any person qualified under State or local law to order telecommunications services for schools or libraries be deemed capable of making a "bona fide request" for service

I appreciate the opportunity to give input to this process, and look forward to the day when all our schools are connected to the internet and students access information there as naturally as they read from textbooks today

Sincerely,

Bonnie Price
7027 Haverhill Park Rd
Whittier, CA 90602