What is E-rate? Program designed in 1996 to overcome the “digital divide” Designed to narrow Internet access gap between affluent and non-affluent school districts Provides discounts for communications, network equipment, and cabling for qualified schools and school districts Disburses $2-3 billion annually

Program designed in 1996 to overcome the “digital divide”

Designed to narrow Internet access gap between affluent and non-affluent school districts

Provides discounts for communications, network equipment, and cabling for qualified schools and school districts

Disburses $2-3 billion annually

Who manages the E-rate Program? Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) Determines items eligible for E-rate Computers are not eligible, only infrastructure components such as routers and switches

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Schools and Libraries Division (SLD)

Determines items eligible for E-rate

Computers are not eligible, only infrastructure components such as routers and switches

How does a school district qualify? Be an urban or rural school district with a majority of students qualified for the free and reduced lunch program Be Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA) compliant Ability to contribute 10% of total cost Capable of using information technology infrastructure by having computers available Provide training on the use of technology

Be an urban or rural school district with a majority of students qualified for the free and reduced lunch program

Be Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA) compliant

Ability to contribute 10% of total cost

Capable of using information technology infrastructure by having computers available

Provide training on the use of technology

How has SAISD benefited from E-rate? Received over $40 million since 1996 for the following: High speed wide area network for district Internet Support for telephone services Wireless infrastructure Equipment to connect Internet and networks Maintenance contract for network equipment

Received over $40 million since 1996 for the following:

High speed wide area network for district

Internet

Support for telephone services

Wireless infrastructure

Equipment to connect Internet and networks

Maintenance contract for network equipment

Future E-rate Projects Re-cable all schools Upgrade wireless network infrastructure for faster, more reliable connections Implement voice over IP (VOIP) in each school to allow a phone in every classroom if needed

Re-cable all schools

Upgrade wireless network infrastructure for faster, more reliable connections

Implement voice over IP (VOIP) in each school to allow a phone in every classroom if needed

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