E-Rate: Making School Connectivity a Reality School District Name Date

E-Rate Overview  What Is E-Rate?  Where Did E-Rate Come From?  How Do Schools Benefit From E-Rate?  Why Does E-Rate Matter?  Does E-Rate Work?  How Can We Improve E-Rate?  What Can I Do?

What Is E-Rate?  E-Rate is a program administered by the FCC which helps schools afford their telecommunications connectivity, including internet  E-Rate funds are generally used for four purposes:  telecommunications/phone service  internet connections  internal connections and  internal connection maintenance  E-Rate is narrowly focused on connectivity. It is a critical part to any district’s technology plan.  As one piece of an overall tech plan, E-Rate CANNOT be used for professional development or to purchase devices.

Where Did E-Rate Come From?  Created as part of the 1996 reauthorization of the Telecommunications Act  An already existing program was expanded to include funding to support connectivity in schools and libraries  The funds come from telecommunications companies, who usually pass the fee along to consumers  You can see the fee (Universal Services Fund) on your monthly phone bill

How Do Schools Benefit from E-Rate?  The E-Rate program provides funding, in the form of a discount, that helps schools afford their telecommunications connectivity.  E-Rate was critical in the massive expansion of Internet access to schools over the last decade.  As digital learning becomes the ‘norm’ in education, internet access and adequate bandwidth are a ‘must-have’, something E- Rate supports.

Why Does E-Rate Matter?  The E-Rate discount represents the ONLY source of federal funding available for education technology.  The US Education Department provides ZERO funding for education connectivity or professional development, even as schools brace for online assessments and the meaningful integration of technology in teaching and learning.  The sole source of federal education technology money is the FCC, not USED.  E-Rate and connectivity are the difference between students having access to a 21 st -century digital learning experience and being left behind.

Does E-Rate Work?  Yes! E-Rate can take most of the credit in supporting the rapid, widespread growth in connectivity among the nation’s schools and libraries.  The biggest obstacle E-Rate faces is a funding shortage. Demand is regularly more than double what is available, meaning schools have to go without.

Improving E-Rate  The FCC is considering a series of proposed changes to E-Rate.  E-Rate works, it is not broken. The proposed changes must focus on expanding a successful program.  Changes should focus on transitioning E-Rate to a focus on expanded connectivity.  The single most effective way to expand this program is to infuse additional funding.

What Can I Do?  Engage in our district’s conversations about digital learning, technology planning and technology in the classroom.  Communicate the importance of E-Rate and connectivity to legislators and policy makers at the local, state and federal levels.  Let them know E-Rate is a successful program that is in high-demand.  Use specific examples of how your district’s connectivity supports student learning. Highlight what E-Rate means to your schools.

Questions?  List contact information.

Personalizing This Presentation 1. Personalize this presentation. Change the template! 2. Insert your district name and title on the front 3. Insert slides and additional detail. Possible topics: 1. Your district’s technology plan 2. How E-Rate has benefitted your district 3. Recent examples of E-Rate expenditures 4. What E-Rate will mean to your district in the coming years 4. DELETE THIS SLIDE!