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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October 11, 2022
Schools and Social Media: The Critical Need for Verification and Dedicated Reporting ProcessesAASA is proud to support Schools and Social Media: The Critical Need for Verification and Dedicated Reporting Processes, joint project led by the National School Public Relations Associations (NSPRA) and Consortium for School Network (CoSN).
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October 11, 2022
White House Releases Blueprint for an AI Bill of RightsThe White House announced its Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights.
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September 23, 2022
19 National Organizations Call For Response To Cyber AttacksAASA joined 18 other national organizations in a letter to the FCC calling for the federal government to initiate a broad intergovernmental conversation about addressing cybersecurity threats to schools and other potential victims.
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March 24, 2022
NAPT and AASA to hold K12 School Transportation Cybersecurity Training and Exercise Program
AASA Resources
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Additional Resources
Federal Communications Commission and U.S. Department of Education Resources
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