E-Rate & Technology
Guidance, policy updates and actionable resources for schools & districts focused on E-Rate and Technology.
Background
The Federal Communication Commission (FCC)'s E-Rate program makes telecommunications and information services more affordable for schools and libraries. With funding from the Universal Service Fund, E-Rate provides discounts for telecommunications, internet access, and internal connections to eligible schools and libraries. E-Rate is critical to school-based internet access, which is foundational for today’s learners.
AASA has long supported and championed the E-Rate program for its work to transform and support broadband connectivity in schools. We work closely with the FCC to support policies aimed at closing the homework gap through equitable access to technology and internet. AASA is also committed to working with the U.S. Department of Education and the FCC on ensuring any federal response to cybersecurity threats and student data privacy are comprehensive and cross-agency and adequately funded.
AASA's priorities through the E-Rate program include:
- Support preservation of the Universal Service Fund and the programs it supports
- Supporting the FCC's Learn Without Limits initiative to provide students with Wi-Fi on buses and hotspot connectivity
- Supporting policies that protect student data privacy and adequately fund cybersecurity for all school districts
AASA's Position & Priorities
AASA is committed to advocating for the following:
- Support flexibility of federal resources to ensure equitable access to affordable broadband, to better support student connectivity both in and out of school.
- Ensure any federal response to cybersecurity threats are comprehensive and cross-agency, and adequately funded.
- Oppose any effort to redirect E-Rate funding as initial/primary cybersecurity response.
- Permanently exempt E-Rate from the Anti-Deficiency Act.
- Support preservation of the Universal Service Fund and the programs it supports.
- Support using E-Rate dollars for Wi-Fi on buses and hot spots.
- Support efforts to ensure equitable access to affordable connectivity at home and at school.
- Update definitions to address the realities of the digital age, making it possible to protect data while ensuring appropriate use of student data for legitimate educational needs and reforms.
- Ensure funding to support school districts in ongoing efforts to respond to cybersecurity threats.
AASA has long supported and championed the E-Rate program for its work to transform and support broadband connectivity in schools... Even before the pandemic, we knew that upwards of 12 million students struggled without (or with inadequate) broadband access at home to complete school assignments.
David R. Schuler, AASA executive director
Issue Updates
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December 09, 2022
Dear Colleague from Deputy Secretary Marten on Using Federal Funds to Support STEM Education StrategiesOn December 6, Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten released a Dear Colleague letter to help State educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and their partners better understand how to use Federal funds to support innovative, equity-focused pre-kindergarten through grade 12 STEM education strategies.
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October 28, 2022
AASA Joins 64 Organizations to Ask for Funding for Emergency Connectivity FundAs part of our ongoing advocacy around connectivity, AASA joined 64 other organizations in a letter calling for additional funding for the emergency connectivity fund.
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October 14, 2022
18 National Organizations Sign Letter Supporting AASA Leadership on USACAASA joined 17 other national organizations in signing a letter supporting the nomination of AASA Executive Director Dan Domenech to continue to serve on the USAC board, the entity that oversees E-Rate.
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October 13, 2022
Four Cybersecurity Action Steps for K-12 Schools and DistrictsIn recent years, kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) educational institutions have been an increasingly frequent target for cyberattacks.
AASA Resources
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Additional Resources
Federal Communications Commission and U.S. Department of Education Resources
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