SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES PROGRAM OF THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND E-Rate

Background The E-Rate program is administered by the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). Universal Service Administrative Company Set up in 1997 when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Universal Service Order implementing the Telecommunications Act of Ensures that all eligible schools and libraries have affordable access to modern telecommunications and information services.

E-Rate is a discount of percent that schools and libraries receive for the acquisition of telecommunication services, Internet access, and internal connections necessary for deploying technology into the classroom. The Universal Service Fund makes up to $2.25 billion available per year to eligible schools and libraries. The level of discounts is based on the level of eligibility in the federal free and reduced school lunch program. Libraries will use their local school district’s school lunch eligibility. Eligibility Elementary and Secondary Schools Private not-for-profit schools that do not have an endowment exceeding 50 million Individual schools, school districts, and consortia Public Libraries Individual library branches Library facilities Library systems Library consortia

Services Available: Telecommunication Services Voice and Data Regular telephone lines for teachers to receive phone calls in the classroom Pagers for security officials High bandwidth telecommunication services Satellite delivery for distance learning Coaxial cable Internet Access World Wide Web access Internal Connections Routers Hubs Network File Servers Wireless Local Area Networks Software needed for operation of file servers

What is not covered? Computers for teachers and students Fax machines Modems Software Professional Development Asbestos Removal *Resale of discounted services is prohibited

Brownsville ISD Technology Plan

Summary The district plan takes into consideration the NCLB requirements as well as the E-Rate program. Changes have been made to encompass the updates on the Long Range Plan for Technology. The purpose of the plan is provide equitable access to the use of technology to enable students to become lifelong learners. Needs Assessment The district needs are based on the STaR Chart data, as well as data from district databases, Instructional Technology office, and Technology Support Teachers.

Technology Needs: Regular training sessions for teachers and administrators Continued support of a point of contact at each campus Regular communication with the campus Assistance with integrating technology into the curriculum Increase in numbers of technology support personnel An improvement in IP telephony Implementation of APC project Implementation of IP television and addition of Vbrick Media Systems

Implementation of wireless network within schools and offices Upgrade the district wide infrastructure in the form of new routers and switches Add Fortigate/Cisco PIX firewall to schools New network cabling to replace old cabling and to add to new schools and offices Additional network drops for classrooms and offices District-wide server upgrades for student , DNS and web servers

Goals Provide all students with instruction in the use of technology that empowers them to become more knowledgeable of their world and develop their academic skills. Provide the knowledge skills and resources necessary for all educators to fully integrate technology into the curriculum. Develop a partnership with parents and the Community to assist in developing all students to their potential. To provide the knowledge and skills necessary to fully integrate technology into administrative functions and to allow all administrators to make informed decisions on technology acquisitions and usage. To provide a high-speed, quality infrastructure and high value hardware for all schools and district offices.