This site uses cookies to improve your experience. To help us insure we adhere to various privacy regulations, please select your country/region of residence. If you do not select a country, we will assume you are from the United States. Select your Cookie Settings or view our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Cookie Settings
Cookies and similar technologies are used on this website for proper function of the website, for tracking performance analytics and for marketing purposes. We and some of our third-party providers may use cookie data for various purposes. Please review the cookie settings below and choose your preference.
Used for the proper function of the website
Used for monitoring website traffic and interactions
Cookie Settings
Cookies and similar technologies are used on this website for proper function of the website, for tracking performance analytics and for marketing purposes. We and some of our third-party providers may use cookie data for various purposes. Please review the cookie settings below and choose your preference.
Strictly Necessary: Used for the proper function of the website
Performance/Analytics: Used for monitoring website traffic and interactions
In July, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the use of E-rate funds to loan Wi-Fi hotspots that support students, school staff, and library patrons without internet access. For an update on the 2025 E-rate, register for an eSchool News webinar featuring expert insight. It is 2024 in the United States.
Benjamin Herold of Education Week has put together a real cracker of a series on the challenges of ensuring school broadband access in rural communities – and how E-rate (pre- and post-modernization) is helping to address the situation.
On February 3, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rescinded a report issued two weeks earlier that examined the progress of E‐rate since the modernization orders of 2014 were passed. To that end, and in the public interest, I am making the January 2017 E-rate Modernization Progress Report ( DOC-343099A1.pdf
Key points: Schools still rely on E-rate funds to upgrade and protect their technology infrastructures Will cybersecurity receive E-rate funding? Since then, the program has transformed to help schools and libraries connect to high-speed broadband.
But the tea leaves for E-Rate are pretty positive actually. Rather, it's centered in the popular E-Rate program, which has provided billions of dollars in broadband discounts and infrastructure upgrades to schools and libraries. But the tea leaves for E-Rate are pretty positive actually.”
We are thankful for those who broadcast the news and the broadband providers that have opened their networks, lifted data caps and fees, and promised not to discontinue service. Broadband providers are facing unprecedented pressure to deliver reliable connectivity as more of our economy shifts online. These are positive things.
For more than 20 years, the Federal Communications Commission has directed the multi-billion dollar E-rate program, which provides taxpayer-supported construction and service discounts that districts and libraries can use toward internet costs. A quarter of respondents rated the system neither easy nor difficult in the 2017 survey.
In 2014, the Federal Communications Commission modernized the E-rate program with the objective of closing the K-12 digital divide within five years. This catalyzed a sea change in the broadband available in America’s schools. Why has E-rate modernization worked so well? Setting clear connectivity goals.
Even after service providers launched discounts for broadband services during the pandemic — often targeting online learning — Black Americans across the South saw little change in their access to broadband services. But nowhere is the digital divide larger than in the Black rural South. Add the bill’s $14.25 Add the bill’s $14.25
federal government’s E-Rate program, which provides “universal service” funding to schools and libraries for telecommunications and internet, also said it wouldn’t pay for another project. Broadband — high-speed internet — is critical for learning. So she wasn’t used to working on broadband, she says. Early on, the U.S.
million students who lack internet access, the nonprofit is also looking ahead to the future, when 1 Mbps per student becomes the new broadband benchmark. students with access to at least 100 kbps of broadband has increased from 4 million to 44.7 Last year, when 94 percent of districts had access to high-speed broadband and 6.5
In our work with state and school district leaders, one of the questions that comes up most frequently is whether we are E-rate consultants. Since E-rate is the primary funding source for broadband Internet for schools nationwide, our mission to connect all of America’s classrooms is intertwined with the program in many ways.
There are some attempts to plug the cavernous hole that would leave in funding broadband advances. For example, on a smaller scale, the FCC is looking to enable schools to use its E-rate program to purchase hotspots and devices, Krueger says.
But Bredder can’t give students the tool he considers most indispensable to 21st-century learning — broadband internet beyond school walls. They’re building their own countywide broadband network. This is an equity issue,” said Bredder. “If The hardware on the towers then blasts that connection about 10 miles into the valley below.
One of the most important features of E-rate is that it set an annual target of $1 billion annually to help schools upgrade their internal networks and implement Wi-Fi in every classroom. That amounts to $150 in E-rate Category 2 funding per student, to deploy a robust LAN / Wi-Fi network.
E-rate is complicated. But complying with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) -- a requirement of E-rate -- doesn't have to be. It also provides an overview of E-rate, with answers to commonly asked questions about eligibility, services supported, and audits. What is E-rate?
As the largest education technology program in the country, the Schools and Libraries program (E-rate) has transformed Internet access in our nation’s schools. In 2014, AASA played a lead role in modernizing the E-rate program, advocating for key changes such as: A policy update to make the program broadband-centric; and.
And with online assessments now being required in many states, reliable broadband access is also essential so that students’ knowledge and skills are accurately represented, and technology is not a barrier to achievement and its documentation. Accessing the E-Rate and Matching State Funds. Sheryl Abshire, Ph.D.,
Common Sense, SETDA unveil toolkit to help states, schools apply for billions in federal aid under the E-rate program modernization. A new E-rate funding toolkit from Common Sense and SETDA explains the changes to the federal program, available funding, and best ways to apply for it.
In a July 2017 statement , FCC Chairman Ajit Pai designated August as Rural Broadband Month at the agency. Rural schools are the primary reason that the E-rate program exists, as they are the least servedand have the most need – their students. FOUR WAYS TO IMPROVE RURAL BROADBAND ACCESS. at home either.
With some districts and schools still struggling to meet bandwidth needs, keeping E-rate strong is more vital than ever. Since its inception, the AASA has advocated for the E-rate program and the critical role it plays when it comes to the rapid and dramatic expansion of school and library connectivity.
In our work with state and school district leaders, one of the questions that comes up most frequently is whether we are E-rate consultants. Since E-rate is the primary funding source for broadband Internet for schools nationwide, our mission to connect all of America’s classrooms is intertwined with the program in many ways.
A large part of CoSN’s mission is to participate in edtech-related policy discussions at both national and state levels. Their agenda includes: Ensuring ample funding for educational technology, enhancing the effectiveness of the E-rate program, safeguarding the privacy and security of student data, and fostering digital equity.
The Modernization Order that expanded federal E-rate funding to include broadband and internet services will expire in 2020. To inform the Federal Communications Commission in evaluating and refreshing the vitality of the $4 billion program, Funds For Learning announces its eighth annual E-rate Applicant Survey. [
Census , 90 percent of American households have a broadband internet subscription, and 95 percent have a computer–but that doesn’t mean kids are learning to use these tech tools as they should. A systematic plan that includes policies regarding equitable access can help direct action from administrators and educators.
With that in mind, here’s a guide to assess school district network needs and implement affordable broadband upgrades. Bear in mind that if your district has a Bring Your Own Device (“BYOD”) policy or a guest network, many students, teachers, and visitors will bring one or more devices of their own to your network.
As the State E-rate Director, Milan Eaton has been working on the Arizona Broadband for Education Initiative since it began in 2016. Tell us about your journey from working in the telecom industry to your role now as State E-rate Director for the Arizona Department of Education.
If the workday of an adult typically requires seamless broadband access, then it’s reasonable that today’s students need the same access during their school day. The key is the state leadership to make broadband accessible to all. There are no cap limits, no throttle rates, and no chastising schools when they need extra bandwidth.
Jojo Myers Campos is the state broadband development manager and has been working on the Nevada Connect Kids Initiative for the past two years. After years of research, Jojo and her team proposed solving the problem through community broadband upgrades – bringing together stakeholders across towns to build business cases for upgrades.
Participates in the E-rate competitive bidding process. While we do provide guidance about E-rate filing strategies through our website, webinars, and other avenues, we do not directly apply to provide services to districts. Provides training on E-rate eligible services and technology implementation.
Here we outline three essential resources to help you successfully navigate the E-rate process and avoid common pitfalls. As well as outlining some of the best practices we’ve seen amongst E-rate applicants, we provide advice on how you can secure funding and take advantage of E-rate and State Match to support your upgrades.
100 kbps per student may have been sufficient bandwidth when there were only 520 students and few devices, but as the student population and technology use grew, so did the district’s need for more robust broadband. The changes in technology use that Merritt’s leaders advocated were initially met with resistance.
As is the case in many mega-districts, PWCPS already had access to high-speed broadband. The district put in a request to their school board to upgrade their network’s bandwidth, and sought out additional support to make their broadband goals a reality. They had recently increased from 1 Gbps to 2 Gbps. GAINING MOMENTUM.
I have a bit more to say about some of these topics, so stay tuned… Otherwise, here’s what caught my eye these past two weeks – news, tools, and reports about education, public policy, technology, and innovation – including a little bit about why. No endorsements; no sponsored content; no apologies for my eclectic tastes.
Schools that receive E-rate program discounts for broadband access are required to have internet safety policies with “technology protection measures.” Start with the least restrictive rule — then get more granular In the Policy Manager, you’ll create your rules for web filtering.
In a July 2017 statement , FCC Chairman Ajit Pai designated August as Rural Broadband Month at the agency. Rural schools are the primary reason that the E-rate program exists, as they are the least served and have the most need – their students. FOUR WAYS TO IMPROVE RURAL BROADBAND ACCESS. at home either.
What led you to become passionate about expanding broadband access, and what motivates you most about your role as Director of Instructional Policy and State E-rate Coordinator at DESE? They provided free technical assistance to education administrators in navigating the E-rate program.
Back in late 2013, Barack Obama and the White House launched the ConnectED Initiative , an effort to bring almost $2 billion worth of high-quality broadband, technology and professional development to schools and districts across the U.S. In February of 2014, Obama rounded up technology donations worth more than a $1 billion from U.S.
Earlier this year, we selected Connected Nation and Funds For Learning as partners to carry forward our mission of upgrading the broadband in America’s K-12 schools. Jordan brings extensive experience in policy and advocacy to the CN team. That means that access to affordable broadband will remain critical to student success.
As is the case in many mega-districts, PWCPS already had access to high-speed broadband. The district put in a request to their school board to upgrade their network’s bandwidth, and sought out additional support to make their broadband goals a reality. They had recently increased from 1 Gbps to 2 Gbps. GAINING MOMENTUM.
This broadband leader has always had a passion for policy – especially when it came to funding for technology in schools. They weren’t familiar with E-rate because it wasn’t a state program, so we needed to introduce the program before talking about state match. This interview has been edited for clarity.
The groups also point out that the study, which the Every Student Succeeds Act mandated be sent to Congress by June 2017, “will help policy makers identify the best ways to ensure all students can connect with broadband services and be on a path for success after graduation.” “This is critical.”
A new report details the importance of state advocacy in connecting schools, students to broadband internet. A new report from SETDA and Common Sense Kids Action focuses on K-12 broadband and wi-fi connectivity, state leadership for infrastructure, state broadband implementation highlights, and state advocacy for federal broadband support.
We organize all of the trending information in your field so you don't have to. Join 34,000+ users and stay up to date on the latest articles your peers are reading.
You know about us, now we want to get to know you!
Let's personalize your content
Let's get even more personalized
We recognize your account from another site in our network, please click 'Send Email' below to continue with verifying your account and setting a password.
Let's personalize your content