The E-Rate program provides discounts of 20-90% on telecommunication services, internet access, and internal connections for eligible schools and libraries. Public and private schools that meet eligibility requirements can receive discounts, as can public libraries. The level of discounts is determined by the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Up to $2.25 billion per year is available nationwide to support technology and internet connectivity in schools and libraries.

1. E-Rate and School Technology

2. What is E-Rate?The E-Rate is the discount that schools and libraries will receive for the acquisition of telecommunication services. Eligible schools and libraries can receive discounts of 20-90 percent on telecommunication services, Internet access and internal connections necessary for deploying technology into the classroom.

3. Who’s Eligible for E-Rate?Public Schools- Elementary and Secondary schools.Private Schools-as long as they are not operating as a for-profit institution and exceeds a $50 million endowment.Libraries-Public Libraries such as library branches, facilities, and systems.

4. What services are available?Telecommunication ServicesInternet accessInternal Connection

5. How are the discounts determined? The level of discounts for schools and libraries is based upon the level of eligibility in the federal free and reduced lunch program. Libraries will use the school lunch eligibility percentage from their local school districts.

6. How much money is available in discounts?Up to $2.25 billion per year will be available from the Universal Service Fund.

7. Dallas ISD Technology Plan To enhance classroom instruction, increase student achievement, and promote college readiness as we build teachers', staff, and students' technology skills through the support and communication of the Technology Application TEKS.Dallas ISD will accomplish this by providing: hardware and software for instructional use in appropriate Technology Applications TEKS curriculum-supported computer labs at all grade levels; hardware and software for teachers and students to use in their classroom. This hardware/software is typically received after completing training in designated initiatives; and professional development opportunities for teachers on how to develop technology-rich learning tasks at their grade level or in the subject that they teach.

8. For more information:http://www.dallasisd.org/http://www2.ed.gov/Technology