E rate program

E-Rate Program

E-Rate Program –

Discounted Telecommunications Services

For What?

• Federal Communications Commission (FCC)/

• Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)/

• Schools and Libraries Division (SLD)

What is a

Non-profit private schools along with public schools, and

libraries can receive discounted

telecommunications services through the E-rate program. The E-

rate program is administered by the Schools and Libraries Division

(SLD) Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)

.

The program was set up in 1997 when the Federal Communications

Commission (FCC) adopted a Universal Service Order

implementing the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

The Order was designed to ensure that all eligible schools and libraries have

affordable access to modern telecommunications and information

services. Up to $2.25 billion annually is available to provide eligible schools

and libraries with discounts under the E-rate program for authorized services.

• The E-rate provides discounts of 20 percent to 90 percent for eligible telecommunications services, depending on economic need and location (urban or rural).

• The level of discount is based on the percentage of students eligible for participation the National School Lunch Program or other federally approved alternative mechanisms.

• (Non-public schools and others not participating in the National School Lunch Program can use federally approved alternative mechanisms contained in the Improving America's Schools Act.

• Details of such mechanisms may be found in "Alternative Discount Mechanisms" on the SLD web site. 

INCOME Measured by % of students eligible

for the National School Lunch Program

URBAN LOCATION

E-Rate Discount

Rural Location

E-Rate Discount

If the percentage of students in the school qualifying for the National School Lunch Program is...

...and the school is in an URBAN area, the E-rate discount will be...

...and the school is in a RURAL area, the E-rate discount will be...

Less than 1% 20% 25%

1% to 19% 40% 50%

20% to 34% 50% 60%

35% to 49% 60% 70%

50% to 74% 80% 80%

75% to 100% 90% 90%

•Discounts can be applied to commercially available telecommunications services, Internet access, and internal connections.

•Eligible services range from basic local and long distance phone services, and Internet access services, to acquisition and installation of equipment to provide internal connections.

Eligible Services

Ineligible Services

•Basic phone service, which includes local and long distance (toll) service •Leased data circuits •T-1, 56K, ISDN lines •Dial-up Internet access•Direct Internet connections•Email

•Voicemail•Online content •Professional development training •Software (see, Eligible Internal Connections)

Eligible Internal Connections

Ineligible Internal Connections

•Telecommunications wiring•Routers •Switches•Hubs•Network Servers •Certain system operating software •Wireless LANs •Installation & basic maintenance •Private Branch Exchange (PBX)

•Personal computers •FAX machines •Modems in personal computers •Electrical wiring •Asbestos removal •Cameras

•For each year of the discount program, schools and libraries must file Forms 470 for tariff or month-to-month services and for new services to be provided in the following funding year.

•In addition, new Forms 471 must be filed each year for discounts on any eligible service. Funding is on a fiscal year basis, beginning July 1st of each year and running through the following June.

•Form 471 applications will be accepted upon the opening of the filing window for the program year that begins the following July 1.

Prepare for the next funding year:

1.For more information about the E-rate, go to the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) website

2.If you have questions about the E-rate, call the SLD Client Service Bureau at 888-203-8100, or fax 888-276-8736. To obtain SLD documents, call 800-959-0733. You can also direct questions and comments to [email protected]

Further Information

AHS ISDTechnology

Plan2004 – 2007

Technology Expenditures

•Technology budgets reported in the plan by category : $238,900.00•Teaching and Learning Budget: $54,000.00

•Educator Preparation and Development Budget: $81,000.00•Administration and Support Service Budget: $700.00

Technology ExpenditurePer Pupil

$670.41

Number of Campuseswith Direct Connection to Internet

1

Percentage of Campuseswith Direct Connection to Internet

100.00%

Number of Classroomswith Direct Connection to Internet

80

Percentage of Classroomswith Direct Connection to Internet

99.00%

Computer/Student Ratio 3 student(s) for every computer

Computer/Teacher Ratio 1 teacher(s) for every computer

Number of campuses that need to complete the Texas Campus STaR Chart

1

Percentage of campuses that havecompleted the Texas Campus STaR Chart

100.00 %

Joy Rousseau – Technology Director Sandra Chesshir – Librarian, School Dr. Ron Sterling – Principal, High School Dwight Thomas – Principal, Junior High School Shannon Arrington – Principal, Elementary School Wendy Popescu – Teacher, High School Math – Department Chair Debbie Frazier – Teacher, High School Science – Department Chair

Committee Members:

Melissa Freeman – Teacher, High School LA – Virtual School Teacher Carla McCauley – Teacher, Elementary School TA TEKS Brandon Henderson – High School Student Donnie Jones – High School Student Laura Dacus – Parent, Elementary, Junior High & High School Students Jarvie Stroup–Parent or Board Member Debi Crawford – Community Member Michael Tivet– Community Member, TSTC

Has been shaped by the pervading core values that all students can learn, all

students deserve enriched curriculum, and all students need real-world skills to

succeed. The vision of the Arp Schools Technology Committee is to provide all students with the necessary learning environment, nurturing, and vision to

become productive, highly-skilled, successful citizens who can meet the

challenges of a rapidly changing future.

The vision of AHS ISD:

Goals & Objectives:

Arp ISD developed goals and objectives based upon the recommendations defined by the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology in the areas of Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development, District Needs Assessment, Administration and Support Services, and Infrastructure for Technology.

(1)Teaching & Learning focuses on the instructional needs of teachers and the learning needs of students in meeting the vision of technology in education.   (2)Improving the academic achievement, including technology literacy, research, communication, and higher-order thinking of all students. ..Integrate technology (including software and electronically delivered learning materials) into curricula and instruction, and utilize a timeline for this integration.

(3) Improve the capacity of all teachers to integrate technology effectively into curriculum and instruction. .. provide training to identify and promote curricula and teaching strategies that integrate technology effectively into curricula and instruction, based on a review of relevant research and leading to improvements in student academic achievement. ..provide ongoing, sustained professional development for: teachers, principals, administrators, and school library media personnel to further the effective use of technology in the classroom and the library media center. Data analysis used to address these issues are: ...Individual Student Academic Assessment ...Report Card for Parents ...Stakeholder surveys ...AYP School and District Report Cards

...Highly Qualified Teacher/Staff Reports ...Teacher Qualifications Report Cards for Parents ...Graduation and Dropout Rate Report ...Title III Immigrant Funding Report ...Safe Schools Reports

(4)Administration and Support Services address the role of the technology leader to create a shared vision, encourage and sustain the appropriate integration of technology, use modern information technology tools to embrace accountability and hence use data for sound decision-making and continual assessment of effective technology for improving student learning. This vision is shared through community meetings, PTA & Open House presentations, Cable Channel Broadcasts, Board Presentations, "Meet the Teacher Night", "Sharing Technology" Share Nights, Website, Newsletters, Program Brochures, and Summer Technology Camps.   

(5)Infrastructure for Technology focuses on hardware, software, and human infrastructure (the capabilities or proficiencies of those who use the technical components). The infrastructure of a school is the critical element of support for all four areas of the Long-Range Plan for Technology. This hardware—and the connecting peripherals such as the network connections and the resulting communications capabilities—enable the system to function properly. The infrastructure provides the foundation for software applications, computer programs such as graphics or spreadsheets, and the TEKS content.