FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is scrutinizing one of the federal government’s largest classroom subsidies.

The focus is E-Rate, a program that provides approximately $3 billion annually in discounts for internet access and connectivity services to eligible schools and libraries.

Carr has raised concerns that this subsidized connectivity may be fueling increased screen time in classrooms, which some parents link to declining academic performance. On June 3, 2026, the FCC announced a sweeping review of the program. Carr cited worries that unsupervised screen time could contribute to lower student outcomes.

The chairman positioned the issue as a parent rights concern, aligning with the administration’s approach to school matters. In a September 2025 document, Carr requested his Commission colleagues vote on two items to reverse Biden-era expansions of the program. The document stated that prior FCC decisions unlawfully spent taxpayer funds funding unsupervised Wi-Fi use on school buses and Wi-Fi hotspots accessible outside schools and libraries without parental consent.

The agency actions were deemed to exceed Congress’s defined authority and represented poor stewardship of scarce resources given documented risks. Carr emphasized parents often have limited knowledge or choice regarding children’s online exposure during school hours, stating federal regulators must ensure program funds support real education rather than classroom distractions.

The FCC is scheduled to vote on June 25, 2026 to determine whether to formally open the proceeding and seek public comments on potential changes. This review does not involve a shutdown but could lead to guardrails, transparency requirements, funding adjustments, or broader reforms. The action follows more than a year of scrutiny by Carr’s FCC on the program.