Schools to get $9M to support wireless off campus

WASHINGTON (AP) — Government officials are handing out $9 million to help schools extend wireless Internet connections beyond the classroom.

The Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday will announce 20 pilot projects around the country that will receive government funding to pay for wireless broadband connections for laptops, smart phones and other mobile devices that students can take with them after the school day ends.

The program aims to give students — including those from low-income families who may have no other Internet service at home — access to homework assignments, study guides, digital textbooks and other resources outside of regular school hours. Called Learning On-the-Go, the program will reach nearly 35,000 students across 14 states in the 2011-2012 school year.