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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August 28, 2024
Court Grants FCC Request for Stay (for E-Rate and Universal Service Fund)On the heels of last month’s 5th circuit court decision which challenges the constitutionality of the funding mechanism for the universal service fund, the 5th circuit has granted the FCC its requested stay.
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August 08, 2024
FCC Releases State by State Info on How Universal Service Fund Impacts StatesThe FCC has released an overview document and state-specific information detailing how each of the four universal service fund programs (including the schools and libraries program, E-Rate) are impacted in each state.
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July 25, 2024
AASA Joins EdLiNC Coalition in Expressing Deep Frustration with 5th Circuit E-Rate DecisionAASA joined the Education and Networks Libraries Coalition to express deep frustration with yesterday's 5th Circuit E-Rate decision.
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July 25, 2024
5th Circuit Court Rules Universal Service Fund (Which Covers E-Rate) UnconstitutionalOn Wednesday, the 5th Circuit Court handed down its decision where the plaintiffs argued that using E-rate funds for Wi-Fi on school buses exceeds the FCC’s authority to provide internet access in schools and libraries.
AASA Resources
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June 27, 2024
The Pillars of Well-Designed Student Privacy LegislationTopics:This report highlights the twelve foundational pillars of well-designed student privacy legislation, aiming to equip state policymakers with the knowledge and tools necessary to craft and continuously improve state-level student privacy protections. -
June 27, 2024
Mitigating Risks in Student Surveys: An Overview of PPRAA brief history of the PPRA, guidelines for applying the law, lessons learned from past misapplications of PPRA, and best practices for compliant and effective social emotional learning (SEL) survey administration in school. -
June 27, 2024
Fixing FERPATopics:This comprehensive series explores the current challenges of implementing the 50-year-old Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) – the U.S.’s primary student privacy law – in modern classrooms, and proposes actionable solutions to revamp FERPA’s privacy protections for the 21st century. -
May 14, 2024
The K-12 Privacy Policy GuideType:Toolkit Topics: Advocacy & Policy Technology & AIHow to quickly spot red flags in app and technology platform privacy policies.
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Additional Resources
Federal Communications Commission and U.S. Department of Education Resources
In the News
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September 20, 2024
E-Rate, News
FCC Cybersecurity Pilot Program Now Open for ApplicationsThe FCC has opened applications for its Cybersecurity Pilot Program from September 17 to November 1, 2024. Schools and libraries can apply for funding to enhance cybersecurity.
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October 19, 2023
E-Rate, Press Release
AASA Releases Statement on FCC’s ‘Wi-Fi on Wheels’ ProposalDavid R. Schuler, executive director of AASA, The School Superintendents Association, was honored to sign AASA onto a joint statement from four national rural education associations supporting today’s FCC vote on Wi Fi on Wheels proposal.
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