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Fast Breaking E-Rate Information
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Opening and Closing Dates for 2012 E-Rate Application Window
The Form 471 application filing window for Funding Year 2012 will open at noon on Monday, January 9, 2012 and will close at 11:59 pm EDT on Tuesday, March 20, 2012. The filing window will be open for 72 days.
You can file an FCC Form 470 now if you are ready to do so; you don't need to wait for the window to open. To file an FCC Form 470 online, go to the Apply Online page and click on the "Create Form 470" button.
You must wait 28 days after the FCC Form 470 is POSTED to the USAC website before you can close your competitive bidding process, select a service provider, sign a contract (if applicable), and submit an FCC Form 471.
You can find additional program guidance documents in the Reference Area of the USAC website.
Applicants for Priority I (telecom and Internet services) are no longer required to have an approved technology plan.
Priority 2 (internal connections: wiring, hubs, routers, etc) applications still require an approved tech plan that covers at least part of the funding year for which services are required. The tech plan no longer needs to have a section on budget.
Dark fiber: Lease of dark fiber (lit or unlit) is eligible for telecom or Internet access from any provider, but it must be lit immediately and only that which will be used is eligible – cannot purchase excess capacity for potential future growth.
Community use of E-Rate services: After school hours schools may open their facilities to the general public to use E-rate supported services. Service must be primarily for educational use and only on campus. Schools may not charge for use of services, but may charge a fee to offset costs such as security, additional electricity, etc.
Forms: A new simpler Form 470 is expected to be available for the next cycle. The old form is available for posting now and if items are placed there they will be converted automatically to the new form when it is posted. Once the new form is put on the Schools and Libraries website, it must be used.
CIPA requirements: Applicants applying for services must be CIPA compliant (filtering and blocking requirements) and have policies in place for educating students about dangerous and inappropriate online activities.
Consult the Schools and Libraries division on the USAC website for latest information about these and other aspects of the program.
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Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act
Congress has passed the Broadband Data Improvement Act that has two components. Title I of this bill is aimed at increasing the federal government's understanding of broadband deployment, standards, speeds, and prices which will ultimately impact positively on schools’ access to high speed connectivity, particularly those who are E-rate applicants.
Title II of the bill is termed Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act that seeks to increase public awareness and education on Internet safety and cybercrimes. Its provisions promote safe Internet use by children by enhancing the enforcement of child pornography laws and requiring on-line safety education by schools that are E-Rate recipients.
The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requirement that E-rate applicants utilize blocking and filtering software on school computers has been expanded to require also the adoption of Internet safety policies that include “ educating minors about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyber bullying awareness and response."
Although it may be several months before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC )that oversees the E-Rate program issues guidance pertaining to the effective date and implementation requirements, E-Rate applicants should begin to develop programs to educate students about appropriate behaviors on interactive sites as well as how to educate students about appropriate behaviors on interactive sites as well as how to safeguarding identity and privacy and avoid cyber bullying activities.
There are many on-line resources available to assist schools in the development of a comprehensive program of safety education, including I-Safe, Inc. which is a non-profit foundation dedicated to online protection of youth that is endorsed by the U.S. Congress. Its website is http://www.isafe.org.
E-Rate Technology Approval Reminder
NEW
Beginning with the next application cycle (for school year 2011-2012) approved technology plans will not longer be required for Priority 1 services (telcom and internet) but is still required for Priority 2.
The following conditions apply for Priority 2 applications:
All technology plans for E-Rate applicants expire after three years and a new one must be approved by the start of that funding year – usually July 1st.
If the plan, covering at least part of the 2010-2011 school year is not approved, the SLD will not provide discount funding for any portion of the year up until the plan is finally approved. Also, the applicant may not file a Form 486 for any Priority 2 services without an approved plan.
Because the tech plan approval dates are critical, all applicants should take this opportunity to confirm the status of their plan approval expirations. As a part of this process, applicants should check that copies of actual tech plan approval letters have been received and are being safely retained.
If the diocese or state does not approve Catholic school technology plans, they may be submitted to NCEA using the process described on the NCEA website at /public/PlanningForTechnology.asp
Children's Internet Protection Act
The Federal Communications Commission requires the use of filtering and blocking software by E-Rate recipients. Requirements of the law:
In order to receive discounts for Internet access and internal connections services under the universal service support mechanism, school and library authorities must certify that:
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They are enforcing a policy of Internet safety that includes measures to block or filter Internet access for both minors and adults to certain visual depictions.
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These include visual depictions that are (1) obscene, or (2) child pornography, or, with respect to use of computers with Internet access by minors, (3) harmful to minors. An authorized person may disable the blocking or filtering measure during any use by an adult to enable access for bona fide research or other lawful purpose.
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A school administrative authority must certify that its policy of Internet safety includes monitoring the online activities of minors.
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They have adopted and implemented an Internet safety policy addressing (i) access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web; (ii) the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications; (iii) unauthorized access, including so-called "hacking," and other unlawful activities by minors online; (iv) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors; and (v) measures designed to restrict minors’ access to materials harmful to minors
E-Rate Technology PlansThe Schools and Libraries Corporation issued new guidelines for the technology plans required for Priority 2 services. Note that references to budget are no longer required.
The plan must have a professional development strategy to ensure that staff know how to use these new technologies to improve education or library services;
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The plan must include an assessment of the telecommunication services, hardware, software, and other services that will be needed to improve education or library services.
- The plan must include an evaluation process that enables the school or library to monitor progress toward the specified goals and make mid-course corrections in response to new developments and opportunities as they arise.
The three specific things to pay attention to in plan revisions are:
- The goals and strategies listed in the plan should clearly demonstrate they are related to improved education outcomes.
- A professional development plan should not only outline the training for the staff responsible for running and maintaining the network, but also the training for the staff members directly involved in teaching or serving patrons with improved library service.
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There should be a clear indication of how technology use in the schools will be evaluated.
E-Rate Celebrates 10 Years of Connecting Schools and Students
A 2007 report commemorating the 10th anniversary of the E-Rate program is available on-line from EdLiNC (Education and Library Network Coalition) . Click here to be directed to it.
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