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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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May 14, 2024
AASA Weighs in on Three Student Privacy/Mental Health BillsThe Senate Commerce committee is taking a series of actions on three different bills related to student data and privacy and social media. We have responded to all three.
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May 06, 2024
Guest Post: Comparing Requirements for Schools Under E-Rate & KOSMAThis blog post is cross posted from the team at the AASA Student and Child Privacy Center/PIPC.
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April 10, 2024
K12 Cyber and You: Ready to Go ResourcesWe have a list of resources from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in the Department of Homeland Security.
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February 27, 2024
AASA Joins 15 National Education Organizations to Support FCC’s Proposed Cyber PilotAASA joined 15 other national education organizations in support of the FCC’s proposed pilot for K12 cybersecurity.
AASA Resources
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May 01, 2024
Legal Risks of Your Schools’ Social PlatformsType:Article Topics: Technology & AIA few best practices from an education lawyer about managing the district’s social media accounts. -
March 01, 2024
Student Privacy and Safety SimultaneouslyType:Article Topics: School Safety & CybersecurityDon’t view FERPA as a barrier to intervention by law enforcement and mental health support when a student presents a threat to self or others. -
February 01, 2024
Who’s Responsible for Student Data Privacy?Type:Article Topics:It’s not only the tech team that needs to be paying attention. Everyone in the school district plays a part in prevention. -
February 01, 2024
From Data Privacy to Data JusticeType:Article Topics: Equity Technology & AIThe risks of discrimination and exploitation of students in elementary and secondary schools that arise from the use of new technologies.
Get Involved
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Additional Resources
Federal Communications Commission and U.S. Department of Education Resources
In the News
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July 12, 2023
Advocacy & Policy, E-Rate, Press Release, School Safety & Cybersecurity
New Cybersecurity Initiative Set to Enhance Safety, Security and Privacy for Nation’s 50 Million Public School StudentsFCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced her proposal to advance a federal support for cyber security services for K-12 schools at AASA's Legislative Advocacy Conference.
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May 12, 2021
E-Rate, Press Release
AASA Issues Statement in Reaction to FCC Announcements
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