E-Rate

A Brownsville Independent School District bus acts as a Wi-Fi hotspot for students needing to connect online for distance learning at the beginning of the 2020-21 school year in the Texas school system.
A Brownsville Independent School District bus acts as a WI-FI hotspot for students needing to connect online for distance learning on the first day of class Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in the parking lot of the Margaret M. Clark Aquatic Center in Brownsville, Texas. The bus is one of 20 hotspots throughout the city to help students have access to their online classes as part of the remote start to the school year due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald via AP
IT Infrastructure Internet on School Buses: FCC Eyes E-Rate Change to Expand Access
FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel announced a proposal that would allow the use of federal E-rate funding for Wi-Fi in school buses.
Lauraine Langreo, May 12, 2022
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2 min read
Ed-Tech Policy Letter to the Editor Using E-Rate to Address the Homework Gap
The FCC's E-rate program can provide relief to many families, says this letter author from the Internet Society.
April 12, 2021
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1 min read
Internet connectivity doesn't reach all the houses
Vanessa Solis/Education Week and iStock/Getty
Ed-Tech Policy Q&A Acting FCC Chair: The 'Homework Gap' Is an 'Especially Cruel' Reality During the Pandemic
Under the new leadership of Jessica Rosenworcel, the FCC is exploring broadening the E-Rate to cover home-connectivity needs.
Alyson Klein, March 10, 2021
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5 min read
Andrew Burstein, 13, participates in a virtual class through Don Estridge High Tech Middle School in Delray Beach, Fla., this school year.
Andrew Burstein, 13, participates in a virtual class through Don Estridge High Tech Middle School in Delray Beach, Fla., this school year.
Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP
Ed-Tech Policy FCC Takes One Step Closer to Offering E-Rate Funds for Remote Learning Technology
Advocates have urged the FCC to loosen its rules on E-Rate funds so schools can pay for technology that helps students learn remotely.
Mark Lieberman, February 1, 2021
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2 min read
Federal Communications Chairman Ajit Pai arrives for an FCC meeting to vote on net neutrality.
Federal Communications Chairman Ajit Pai arrives for an FCC meeting to vote on net neutrality. 
Associated Press
Ed-Tech Policy Dawn of an Education-Friendly FCC? Chairman Ajit Pai Moving On
The FCC chairman plans to step down from his role at the end of President Donald Trump's term on Jan. 20.
Alyson Klein, November 30, 2020
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3 min read
Classroom Technology How Massive K-12 Bond Issues During COVID-19 Are Shaping School Technology Plans
Interest rates are low and remote and hybrid learning continues, but some experts question using bonds to pay for devices and connectivity.
Benjamin Herold, November 17, 2020
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5 min read
Ed-Tech Policy From Our Research Center Many Students Still Lack Home Internet. Here's How Big the Problem Is.
Only 11 percent of school district leaders and principals said all their students have the home internet access they need to fully participate in virtual instruction.
Mark Lieberman, October 14, 2020
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3 min read
Ed-Tech Policy Districts: Here's How to Get Some Help With the E-Rate
Ed tech officials: Confused about the E-Rate? The State Educational Technology Directors Association is on the case.
Alyson Klein, October 6, 2020
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1 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
Illustration by Jamiel Law
IT Infrastructure Reported Essay Internet Access Is a Civil Rights Issue
In the world’s wealthiest country, why is broadband access denied to so many and in such high numbers? Mark Lieberman investigates.
Mark Lieberman, September 23, 2020
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7 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
Punnarong/iStock
School Climate & Safety Opinion FCC Commissioner and Former Ed. Secretary: We Need a National Policy on Internet Access
We can close the gap in home-internet connectivity for students, but we must act now, urge Jessica Rosenworcel and John B. King Jr.
Jessica Rosenworcel & John B. King Jr., August 3, 2020
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5 min read
Equity & Diversity Why Helping Families Access the Internet Is So Challenging
Internet access remains out of reach for millions of homes across America, but federal officials don't agree on the scale of the problem.
Mark Lieberman, May 26, 2020
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2 min read
Ed-Tech Policy Ed-Tech Groups to Congress: More Than $5 Billion Needed to Address Internet Access Gaps
Schools need help from the federal government to prepare millions of U.S. students for remote learning this fall and beyond.
Mark Lieberman, April 30, 2020
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3 min read
Ed-Tech Policy 5 Insights for How to Tackle the Digital Divide During the Coronavirus and Beyond
Districts are scrambling to purchase new equipment and help families connect to the internet, all while waiting on policy changes for broader relief.
Mark Lieberman, April 21, 2020
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4 min read
Ed-Tech Policy FCC Extends E-Rate Deadlines to Help Schools During School Shutdowns
The FCC said in a statement that the "unprecedented circumstances" brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak merited the deadline extensions.
Jake Maher, April 1, 2020
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1 min read
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