E-Rate is a federal program that provides discounts for internet and telephone services to schools and libraries. Eligibility is based on the percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. West Haven schools have a 45% free/reduced lunch rate and are eligible for E-Rate discounts of around 50% as an urban district. E-Rate funds can be used for internet connections, basic phone service, routers, switches and wireless networks but not items like software, computers or fax machines. West Haven's technology plan outlines goals like improving student achievement through technology, ensuring teacher technology proficiency, and developing infrastructure to support educational needs.

1. E-RateBy Tim Gast

2. AgendaDefine and explain E-RateEligibility of SchoolsCompare West Haven and CT eligibility Examples of What E-Rate can and can’t be used forWest Haven Technology PlanSummaryImportant Links

3. What is E-RateE-Rate is a Federally Subsidized plan to assist schools and libraries with telephone and internet linesE-Rate discounts are decided by socio-economic factors including free/reduced lunchSchools must provide a technology plan showing how they will implement the funds in their applicationSchools must provide computers and telephones

4. Who is Eligible for E-Rate DiscountsInformation provided by Dept of Education: See links for more information

5. E-Rate in CT vs. West HavenCT, on average, has a 32.9% Free/Reduced Lunch and an E-Rate of 50% in Urban areas and 60% in Rural areas West Haven has 45% Free/Reduced Lunch and an E-Rate due to it being an Urban areaData provided by Ct. Dept. of Education: See links for more information

6. What E – Rate Discounts can be used forEmailBasic Phone ServiceT-1, 56k, ISDN linesRoutersSwitchesNetwork ServersWireless LANSInstallation

7. What E-Rate cannot be used forVoicemailSoftwareProfessional Development TrainingPersonal ComputersFax MachinesElectrical WiringCameras

8. West Haven Technology Plan Vision StatementThe West Haven School District views technology as an integral part of the teaching, learning, and administrative process. Technology is a tool which is used to enhance the delivery of curricula, increase teacher and student productivity, provide positive student/teacher outcomes, and increase efficiency and effectiveness in student administration. The infusion of appropriate technologies into the District’s instructional and administrative programs will help ensure that students, staff and administrators are prepared to be skillful and productive users of information in the future and will help promote lifelong learning.

9. West Haven Technology Plan Goals1: Improve student academic achievement through the use of technology in elementary and secondary schools.2: Ensure that all educators are proficient in the use and integration of technology and ongoing professional development activities are provided.3: Ensure that all K-12 educational institutions have the capacity, infrastructure, staffing, and equipment to meet academic and business needs for effective and efficient operations. 4: Ensure that K-12 resources are available for all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, geographical location, or disability, so they can become technologically literate by the end of eighth grade and achieve their academic potential.

10. 5: Develop a continuous process of evaluation and accountability for the use of educational technology as: a teaching and learning tool, a measurement and analysis tool for student achievement, and a fiscal management tool.6: Develop a schema of current and future financing requirements to support the LEA’sTechnology Plan.7: Develop a telecommunications services plan that will support both instructional needs and administrative requirements.8: Optional: Create a Parent Portal using PowerSchool for grades 6-12 to allow access to grades and attendance.

11. How Bailey Middle School Can Benefit from E-Rate More Wireless Routers can be used to give the entire school coverageT-1 Connections for the Media Center and Computer Classes to free up bandwidth Phones that work in every room

12. In Conclusion E-Rate is a government program to provide discounts on telecommunications infrastructure for public schools and librariesSchools and Libraries must apply for E-RateThere must be the proper computer components for the infrastructure provided by the school. Schools must have a technology plan outlying how they will use E-Rate fundsWest Haven does receive E-Rate funds but there is room for improvement for how they spend the money

13. Important LinksE-Rate overviewE-Rate ApplicationsE-Rate Discount informationCt Dept of Education StatisticsWest Haven School SystemWest Haven School System Technology Plan