Universal Service Fund and Instruction with

Technology

Commonly Known as E-RATE

Agenda

Overview of E-RATE Program

District E-RATE Administrator

E-RATE and our District

E-RATE and our Campus Instruction

Conclusion/Summary

Program Overview

Administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Provides discounts to assist most schools and libraries in the United States to obtain affordable telecommunications and Internet access

Funded through a Universal Service fee charged to companies that provide interstate and/or international telecommunications services

The program is intended to ensure schools and libraries have access to affordable telecommunications and information services.

The Process

The Schools and Libraries Program supports connectivity - the conduit or pipeline for communications using telecommunications services and/or the Internet. Funding is requested under four categories of service: telecommunications services, Internet access, internal connections, and basic maintenance of internal connections. Discounts for support depend on the level of poverty and the urban/rural status of the population served and range from 20% to 90% of the costs of eligible services.

The Process Cont.There are several steps to follow in order to apply for and receive support.

The 1st step is eligibility determination.

In general, a school is eligible for Schools and Libraries support if it meets the following eligibility requirements:

Schools must provide elementary or secondary education as determined under state law.Schools may be public or private institutional day or residential schools, or public charter schools.Schools must operate as non-profit businesses.Schools cannot have an endowment exceeding $50 million.

Process Cont.

Schools, school districts, and libraries that want to apply for Schools and Libraries support must first prepare a technology plan.

**Beginning Fiscal Year 2011 a technology plan is only required for Priority 2 services (Internal Connections and Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections).

An approved technology plan should detail how information technology and telecommunications infrastructure will be used to achieve educational goals, specific curriculum reforms, or library service improvements.

Technology Plan

The plan must contain the following elements:

Goals and realistic strategy for using telecommunications and information technology

A professional development strategy

An assessment of telecommunication services, hardware, software, and other services needed

Ongoing evaluation process

Implications for our District

Our district has a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students.

As a result, our district only pays 12% for technology infrastructure.

The support of this program is critical to our district, especially with the recent economic challenges that may be present for many Texas school districts.

E-RATE Administrator

Mr. Alvin McWaters is the E-RATE representative for our school district. He handles all the intricacies of the program requirements and ensures we are in compliance so funding continues.

What This Means For Our Campus

Students, faculty, and staff

Cont.We must fulfill the requirements of the technology plan submitted to the E-RATE program and our campus technology plan, which are aligned.

Our Campus Improvement Plan states teachers must incorporate technology into their lessons at least one time per week.

We have the infrastructure to go beyond basic uses of technology in the classroom (i.e.. taking notes and basic Internet searching).

Meet the Challenge

Our Instructional Technology Specialists are offering several courses throughout the year to show you how to infuse advanced technology in your classroom so you can develop 21st century classrooms and learners and help reach campus goals.

In SummaryThe Universal Service Fund is a comprehensive program with many processes and procedures.The infrastructure of technology in our school district benefits greatly from this program.Our instructional practices must meet the requirements of district and campus technology plans.We have the support needed to facilitate student learning in the 21st century because of the ERATE Program, so lets use it to our advantage.

For more information on the E-RATE program

Please visit www.universalservice.org