Now that the FCC ruling has been issued, many questions loom about
E-rate discounts for technology connections in schools and libraries.
“Every classroom in America must be connected to the information
superhighway with computers and good software and well-trained teachers.”
--President Clinton, State of the Union Address, January 1997
On May 7, America’s classrooms took a giant step toward connecting to
the information superhighway: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
released its long-awaited ruling on Universal Service. The Universal Service
program will provide significant discounts---called E-rate discounts---to
enable schools, libraries, and rural health service organizations to hook
up to the information superhighway.
Many people and organizations are working feverishly to make sense of
the ruling for their constituents and to see it implemented in communities
across the United States. Among the groups that spearheaded the E-rate
discount campaign was the American Association of School Administrators
(AASA). The AASA continues to work as the E-rate formula is debated. Kari
Arfstrom, AASA legislative specialist expects the formula to be finalized
soon and that a discount application form might be ready as early as September.
Arfstrom will present the latest E-rate information on July 14 at AASA’s
Rural and Small Schools Summer Conference in Vail, Colorado.
“In addition,” Arfstrom notes, “The AASA, the Consortium of School Networking
(CoSN), and various state associations are joining together to present
regional E-rate
workshops to educate school administrators and interested educators
on how to obtain the discounts."
"The FCC ruling is a positive first step," says Karen Smith, executive
director of the U.S. Tech Corps (Framingham, Mass.), the nonprofit group
that helps organize NetDays around the country. “However, getting technology
into all schools, and then into all classrooms, is going to depend on
a lot of initiatives, and all must build on one another,” Smith told scholastic.com.
“The four pillars of the 21st Century Teacher’s Initiative---connectivity,
computers, competency, and content---are all vital. In terms of the next
step, the important thing will be the training."
A FEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE FCC RULING
How much money will this ruling make available to schools and libraries?
The fund will make available $2.25 billion per year nationwide.
How much of a discount will my school or library receive?
K-12 schools and libraries will be eligible for 20 to 90 percent discounts
based on the percent of students eligible for the national school lunch
program. According to the discount matrix (see below) that appeared in
the FCC order (Paragraph 520), about 70 percent of schools will be eligible
for discounts of at least 50 percent.
| HOW DISADVANTAGED? |
DISCOUNT |
|
| % students eligible for national school lunch program |
% of U.S. Schools in category |
Urban discount (%) |
Rural Discount
(%) |
less than 1%
1-19
20-34
35-49
50-74
75-100 |
3%
31
19
15
16
16 |
20%
40
50
60
80
90 |
25%
50
60
70
80
90 |
What if the money runs out?
The first $2 billion will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis
each year. After that, special priority rules take effect. If all the
money is not used, the balance will be added to the next year’s available
fund.
What services will the fund cover?
The fund will cover services that include basic telephone service needed
for access to technology; advanced telecommunications services; Internet
services; and the internal connections, network hardware (examples: routers,
hubs, and servers), and needed wiring to provide access to the information
superhighway.
Which services won’t the fund cover?
Among the equipment/services not covered by the fund are computers, fax
machines, telephones, voice messaging, training, and consultant services.
What if my school is already connected? Are we eligible to apply
for these fund to cover services we use?
Yes.
When will the E-rate discount funds be available?
January 1, 1998. [Note: Legal challenges to the FCC ruling might impact
that date.]
What’s next?
Formulas must be finalized, application forms must be approved, and each
state must prepare guidelines to implement the ruling. School and library
administrators should be sure they have in place technology plans, including
descriptions of services they’ll need to accomplish their plans. (Note:
When formulating plans, those involved should consider where funds to
support technology will come from if the fund is ever dissolved.)
- Universal
Service Funding (E-Rate) This excellent resource from the North
Central Regional Technology in Education Consortium provides an overview
of the ruling and a wealth of additional Internet connections.
- Universal
Service Funding for Education A fact sheet, requirements to receive
funding, and more from the US West Connected Schools Program.
- Regional
E-Rate Workshops This press release lists upcoming regional E-rate
discount workshops co-sponsored by the American Association of School
Administrators.
- FCC97-157
For the brave among you---the text of the FCC ruling!
- Richard
Riley Statement Statement by Richard W. Riley, U.S. Secretary of
Education, made after last November’s decision of the FCC/Joint Board
to provide Universal Service to schools and libraries.
Article by Gary Hopkins
Education World®
Copyright © 2006 Education World
07/11/1997
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