By Lauren Czachor ’20

AP US History students and various history classes took an in-class field trip to the library on Dec. 22 to listen to Dr. Napoli, a Duke University professor of public policy, speak on the FCC’s decision to repeal Net Neutrality.

Napoli looked to provide students with an understanding for the students on the idea of common carriers, companies responsible for providing telecommunications facilities. He began by playing the sound dial of the Internet, a former carrier of the Internet, aloud to the students, which was unfamiliar sound to many.

“I see the total confusion on your face,” Napoli said.

He used this to divulge into the discussion of the FCC’s rejection of Internet service providers, the once current carrier. He deemed them unsuitable, further justifying the decision for the repeal.

Students were curious whether the FCC’s decision would remain in place or if there is room for a possible revision. Napoli spoke of the long history of FCC decisions eventually being shut down in court.

“It would not surprise me if there was a few hurdles we still need to overcome before this can go into place,” Napoli said. “The decision is arbitrary and capricious.”

Dr. Napoli urged the students to become involved in the issue. He suggested contacting Internet service providers directly to voice complaints or choosing a new provider altogether.

With the help of history teacher Caitlin Jozefczyk and Supervisor of Social Studies and World Languages Laura Drago, Dr. Napoli was able to contact the students using Skype through a computer screen within Duke University’s library.

“It was special because we were integrating technology with the Skyping,” Drago said. “I thought it was very enriching for the students to experience that.”

School administrators said that students should all be well-informed about what went into the FCC’s decision, along with how it could affect regular people’s lives.

“More and more today we’re seeing the importance for students at the high school level to see beyond the textbook,” Drago said. “Things going on in the world today and in our society can be related to what is in the curriculum. Kids are able see the relevance of what they’re learning and how it impacts the school directly.”

Students were heavily involved in the discussion as they feel Dr. Napoli’s words provided an informative briefing on the issue of Net Neutrality.

“I believe Net Neutrality should not be repealed because then, the freedom of the internet will be taken away and we would have to pay for certain websites or apps,” sophomore Helen Zhao said.

“The assembly really opened my eyes on how the decisions made by Congress can impact my own day to day life,” sophomore Yasmin Cardoso said. “It’s extremely important for us to learn about these topics.”