OCIS >>EdTech Program >> E-Rate

E-Rate

E-Rate Program

On May 7, 1997, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Universal Service Order implementing the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The Order, commonly referred to as "E-Rate" (Education Rate), ensures that all eligible schools and libraries have affordable access to modern telecommunications and information services. Up to $2.25 billion annually was authorized to provide eligible schools and libraries with E-Rate discounts.

In January 1999, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) - the overall administrator of Universal Service Fund collection and distribution - merged with the Schools and Libraries Corporation (SLC) and the Rural Health Care Corporation (RHCC). As a result of this merger, USAC created several divisions. The Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) is responsible for administering the E-Rate program for libraries and schools.

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) strongly encourages all NYS schools (K-12) and public libraries to take full advantage of E-rate discounts on telecommunications, Internet access, and internal wiring services. To support our State’s applicants, NYSED is extending its E-rate technical assistance program with E-Rate Central, an organization that has been working on the E-rate program since its inception with Nassau County BOCES and other school districts and vendors. Here are several links of interest to applicants for E-Rate funding:

Children's Internet Protection Act:

The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) is a federal law enacted by Congress in December 2000 to address concerns about access to offensive content over the Internet on school and library computers. CIPA imposes certain types of requirements on any school or library that receives funding support for Internet access or internal connections from the “E-rate” program. A copy of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), a copy of Order FCC 02-196 (Order of Library Certification) which was released in June 2002 as well as Syllabus of Decision, U.S. Supreme Court (June 23, 2003) and other important information about CIPA can be found on E-Rate Central website at: http://www.e-ratecentral.com/CIPA/default.asp

E-Mail News:

Current information and news are being distributed weekly via e-mail to E-rate coordinators throughout the State.  New York State E-rate coordinators who are not on this distribution list can join by filling out following request: http://www.e-ratecentral.com/regNews.asp at E-Rate Central website.

Hot Lines:

E-Rate Central will respond to specific E-rate questions submitted through http://www.e-ratecentral.com/contactUs/contactForm.asp.

E-Rate Web Site:

The New York State E-Rate web site ( http://www.e-ratecentral.com/us/nys/ ) is one of the top-rated Internet resources for E-rate information. News bulletins and weekly summaries are posted on the site on a current basis. Special instructions and tips are provided covering all phases of the E-rate application process. E-rate forms are available in several formats for off-line computer use.  For E-Rate information on New York State schools, please visit the website at: http://www.e-ratecentral.com/us/nys/. For e-rate information on public libraries, please visit the New York State Public Library's web page on E-Rate for Public Libraries.

Technology Plan Approval:

Applicants submitting Form 486s must certify that they have approved technology plans, Schools that do not have approved plans should contact E-Rate Central at the e-mail address or telephone numbers listed below. Libraries should contact the State Library Division of Library development via phone (518-486-5250) or visit the New York State Library web page on E-Rate for Public Libraries.

Training Workshops:

A schedule of half-day E-rate workshops throughout New York State has been developed for late October and early November. For detailed information click, http://www.e-ratecentral.com/us/nys/workshops/default.asp

Approved NYS E-Rate Technology Plans:

The list of approved NYS E-Rate Plans can be found at: http://www.e-ratecentral.com/us/nys/techPlan_nys/techplan_status.asp

E-Rate Organizer:

E-Rate Central designed a powerful and easy-to-use Web-based tool called “E-Rate Organizer”. This tool helps schools and libraries organize and analyze their specific E-rate information. This information is available free of charge, 24 hours a day. http://www.e-ratecentral.com/us/erate_organizer.asp

Resources:

FCC Overview
The Federal Communications Commission supervises the administration of the E-Rate program. Its E-Rate page provides an overview of the program, and legislative intent, at http://www.fcc.gov/learnnet/

Universal Service Corporation
The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) administers the E-Rate program. Click their website for latest funding news and forms, at http://www.universalservice.org/default.asp

Schools and Libraries Division of USAC
Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) of Universal Service Company of America (USAC), with the latest news and regulation updates for schools and libraries at http://www.sl.universalservice.org/

New York State Library Links
The New York State Library lists and discusses resources and regulations concerning E-Rate funding in New York State, at http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/univsvc/

Education and Library Network Coalition (EdLiNC) is a group of Education organizations that have an interest is furthering development of Education technology in schools.

Global SchoolNet Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to "harness the power of the Internet" to provide ongoing opportunities to support learners both in and outside of the school environment. .

NYSED is committed to assisting all schools and libraries within New York State to take maximum advantage of the significant discounts offered by the E-rate program. Comments and suggestions on our E-rate technical assistance program are encouraged and should be addressed to the following contacts

New York State Education Department
Office of Curriculum and Instructional Support:
Education Technology Programs
89 Washington Ave 315 EB
Albany, NY 12234