Having E-rate insight can protect school tech
When the Federal Communications Commission’s E-rate program first emerged in 1996, only 14 percent of the nation's K-12 classrooms were connected to the internet.
E-Rate
E-rate funding supports essential learning at a critical time, survey finds
Federal E-rate funding remains an essential function in bridging the digital divide, particularly for rural and underserved communities, according to an annual report from Funds For Learning.
New E-rate rules could narrow the homework gap
Learning is mobile--but how can schools provide reliable high-speed internet for students who need devices at home, but who lack connectivity?
Fact Sheet: Use E-Rate funding for managed solutions to drive student success
As K-12 schools look to integrate cloud-based solutions, network complexity is also growing. Lean IT teams struggle to navigate ... Read more
Use E-Rate funding for managed solutions to drive student success
K-12 schools face persistent budget challenges related to today’s escalating technology demands. For more than25 years, the E-Rate program ... Read more
Leveraging connectivity to tackle K-12’s biggest challenges
Even before the pandemic, education leaders championed the necessity of strong internet connectivity in schools and communities. This need skyrocketed with the nation’s move to online and hybrid…
Funds For Learning Launches Survey: Shaping the Future of Connectivity
Funds For Learning, the leading E-rate compliance services firm for schools nationwide, launched its 14th annual E-rate survey last month. ... Read more
Raising Bids to Raise the Bar in Edtech
A large part of CoSN’s mission is to participate in edtech-related policy discussions at both national and state levels. Their ... Read more
Leveraging E-Rate to transform learning
K-12 leaders have an opportunity to leverage the edtech investments they made in the shift to remote and hybrid ... Read more
E-rate insight protects school technology infrastructure
When the Federal Communications Commission’s E-rate program first emerged in 1996, only 14 percent of the nation's K-12 classrooms were connected to the internet.
The looming threat that could worsen the digital divide
In an era where technology plays a pivotal role in education, the expiration of the E-rate program's Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) funding poses a significant threat to underserved…
E-rate applicants clamor for cybersecurity services
An annual E-rate report reveals a strong consensus among respondents for cybersecurity services to be included in the federal program, considering their critical role in safeguarding educational institutions…
A charter school gets e-learning up to speed with a modern WiFi solution
The mission at The Academy of Hope, a public charter school for kindergarten through eighth grade, is to maximize ... Read more
Will cybersecurity receive E-rate funding?
Since 2016, more than 1,300 schools have been victims of cyberattacks, including student data breaches, ransomware attacks, email scams, and other incidents, according to a CISA report.
In cybersecurity, balancing vigilance with access
Cybersecurity is at the forefront of IT issues to be addressed over the next year. Nearly every list of major IT or educational technology issues for 2023 includes…
3 ways the E-rate program helps level up learning
The federal E-rate program continues to provide expanded access to technology, including edtech tools, digital learning resources, and high-speed internet access, to schools, according to an annual report…
Why E-rate is critical for school technology access
Every year, schools and libraries have access to billions of dollars of funding through the FCC’s E-rate program. Unfortunately, many don’t take advantage, oftentimes because of confusion over…
Leveraging E-Rate to transform learning
To realize the promise of digital learning, schools will need secure, reliable broadband networks. The federal E-Rate program can help; ... Read more
E-rate spending reveals schools’ tech evolution
Schooling has changed in many ways in the last two years, but while remote learning, mask policies and increased federal spending in education have gotten lots of attention,…
Why e-learning requires Wi-Fi optimization
Schools are officially in the age of technological learning. There are 1:1 programs, hybrid classrooms, free online learning platforms, eLearning applications and assessments, video collaborations, and the expectation…
The Everlasting Importance of E-Rate
The 2021 E-rate Trends Report emphasizes the popularity of this essential program plus resources for districts to leverage
7 reasons E-rate funding is critical for schools and libraries
Reliable high-speed internet access isn't a "nice to have" - it's absolutely essential for teaching and learning. Without reliable connectivity, students and teachers lose access to the digital…
3 reasons E-rate funding remains critical for school internet access
The federal E-rate program remains a vital and trusted funding source to bring "mission-critical" internet access to schools and libraries, according to an annual report tracking trends and…
Using E-rate funds to enhance school networks
K-12 stakeholders saw the value of digital learning firsthand when schools shut down amid the coronavirus pandemic. Suddenly, teachers who’d ... Read more
Funding Year 2021 E-rate Application Window is Now Open
Funds For Learning announces that the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) opened the E-rate filing window on January 15, 2021, and will ... Read more
E-rate report reveals dire need for off-campus internet
While E-rate remains a crucial program for schools and libraries to ensure connectivity, the COVID-19 pandemic brought attention to the need for increased flexibility and funds for off-campus…
6 ways the E-rate supports digital and mobile learning
Education leaders expect school internet needs to increase over the next several years, highlighting the need for increased bandwidth and resources to support the growing demands on school…
How the E-rate and grants can help fund your edtech plans
As schools and districts strive to meet their existing technology needs and prepare for the future, access to federal and state funding, along with other grants, is making…
Here’s a must-do for E-rate applicants
Calling all E-rate coordinators--there is one important step you can take now to ensure a smooth process when the E-rate filing window opens in 2019. The FY2019 application…
3 tips for jumpstarting your district’s connectivity discussion
This year’s E-rate cycle may be over, but in order to be well prepared for the next one, now is the time to start the connectivity conversation with…
4 questions to ask about E-rate funding
Today’s K-12 schools are facing a complex web of needs, technologies and regulations. Digital transformation has led to an expectation by students and faculty of constant connectivity to…
A whopping 6.5M students lack high-speed internet
More than 39 million U.S. students have high-speed internet access at school, and 94 percent of school districts meet the minimum 100 kbps per student goal set by…
Most districts say E-rate is critical for internet access
A large majority of E-rate applicants (87 percent) said the federally funded program is vital to their internet connectivity goals, according to an annual survey that tracks program…
These schools are leveraging E-Rate for a complete digital transformation
Textbooks and blackboards have become a thing of the past in K-12 schools as educators collaborate with IT teams to shape a full digital core curriculum as part…
3 ways a new E-rate funded technology is helping schools save
As schools near completion of their E-Rate filing for this year, one game-changing E-rate technology has the potential to save schools precious time and money. The technology--a new…
How does your district’s broadband stack up?
A free tool from nonprofit EducationSuperHighway is intended to help district technology leaders compare broadband and connectivity information with other districts nearby and across the nation. Compare &…
Innovative district expands access like never before using E-rate
Thanks to a major funding refresh, one district found that it's now possible to support its one-to-one initiative without scaling back access for other services or devices. Could…
Report: Schools expect faster internet within 3 years
Seventy-two percent of E-rate applicants participating in a recent survey said wi-fi is critical to fulfilling their organization's mission. Twenty years after the Telecommunications Act of 1996 created…
FCC to fine AT&T for overcharging Fla. districts
AT&T charged two Florida school districts some of the highest telecommunications rates in the state and will face a fine for violating federal law and the Federal Communications…