Networking

Why Every K–12 Leader Should Be Paying Attention to E-Rate Funding Right Now

The primary federal funding source for district connectivity is under review, and it’s time for districts to speak up.

Amy Passow is a business development manager for K–12 at CDW•G.

Dave LeNard is CDW’s E-Rate manager. He previously worked on the E-Rate program at the Universal Service Administrative Co. for 13 years.

For nearly three decades, E-Rate has made connectivity and network infrastructure accessible for even the smallest and most rural schools. Now, the Federal Communications Commission is taking another look at the program and deciding whether it should continue in its current form. The reason? Leaders have raised questions about whether screen time on E-Rate–funded networks can be tied to educational purposes, especially in light of school board concerns about screen time.

Our team at CDW has been talking to K–12 districts about E-Rate for years, and lately we've been hearing that school leaders are concerned that this review will put at stake the funding source that makes affordable connectivity possible for their schools. They’re worried that technology budgets, infrastructure planning and student access are at risk.

For this reason, we encourage educators and district leaders to advocate for E-Rate. While the review may not result in a total elimination of the program, the FCC has made it clear that they are evaluating whether the program is meant to continue in its current form. Here’s what is happening, and what districts can do about it.

Click the banner below to find funding for your district’s networks, devices and more.

EdTechK12-Network2022-Connectivity-desktop

EdTechK12-Network2022-Connectivity-mobile

What Is E-Rate, and Why Is It Under Review?

E-Rate is a federal program that offers K–12 schools and libraries discounts on the services, infrastructure and hardware that make internet connectivity possible. This can be anything from routers and switches to Wi-Fi for school buildings. The discounts, which range from 20% to 90%, are based on a school’s poverty level and rural designation. The program has been running since 1998 and distributes billions of dollars annually.

In June, the FCC called for a review of E-Rate, stating in the announcement that the organization intends to “ensure that E-Rate-funded networks and services are being used for educational purposes.” The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) suggests several new initiatives, including new internet filtering requirements, more granular traffic control, increased parental visibility into student online activity and potential limits on managed internal broadband services.

The FCC says the review is just that — a close look at how the program is functioning and how schools are using E-Rate–funded infrastructure to promote learning outcomes. Decisions about the program will be made only after the comment period. Because the program was designed for a different era — 28 years is a lifetime in the digital world — the FCC wants to ensure that it is built for the needs of modern, digitally driven classrooms.

The takeaway? Districts don’t need to panic about the E-Rate review. However, they should familiarize themselves with what’s being asked and what is operationally realistic, and they should be prepared to advocate for E-Rate.

How the FCC E-Rate Review Could Burden K–12 District Budgets

One of the things the NPRM proposes is greater transparency in how school networks are being used for educational purposes. In theory, this might seem simple, but it could pose major operational challenges for K–12 districts. The advanced data and analytics programs that would be required to offer this level of visibility are not E-Rate eligible. That means schools could be required to take on more costs without federal funding to mitigate it. If the FCC wants schools to track and document screen time, this should be added to E-Rate eligible services.

If the review reduces or redirects E-Rate funds, schools will suffer. Many districts — especially those that benefit most from E-Rate discounts — are operating on limited budgets. Maximizing E-Rate dollars on eligible services makes it possible for these districts to afford other, ineligible technologies such as classroom computers and security cameras. If E-Rate funds are redirected, many districts will struggle to fund even nontechnology needs. Any reduction in the program’s scope will hit a district’s whole budget.

Putting Screen Time in Context

In conversations about the E-Rate review, screen time is the hot topic. When kids are on devices in school, parents naturally want to make sure they don’t have unfettered access to the internet. But in today’s classrooms, devices are the curriculum. Textbooks are virtually gone. Lessons are delivered with Google Slides, homework is submitted through Canvas, and exams happen on laptops. This isn’t screen time for entertainment, this is just how schools work now.

The real argument isn’t for an arbitrary reduction in screen time, but for ensuring that screen time is purposeful and tied to educational outcomes. And E-Rate makes this possible with instructionally necessary internet access. Districts should be ready to tell this story. We recommend starting with lighter lifts that are doable within their current technology capabilities and budgets. Remind leaders that E-Rate already requires firewalls and content filtering that limit how and where students can browse the internet. Gather data and put together high-level summaries that show how network access is being used to support learning, not hinder it.

How District Leaders Can Advocate for E-Rate Funding

District leaders and educators can advocate for E-Rate by reaching out to congressional representatives and participating in the FCC’s public comment process. Save Our E-Rate offers resources for schools, districts and even individuals in the community to access E-Rate funding data for their district and use it to urge their representatives to keep supporting school connectivity through E-Rate. Offering concrete examples of how the program has impacted local students can only strengthen the case.

E-Rate has served K–12 districts for decades. Whether it continues in its current form will depend in part on district leaders making their voices heard now. We encourage districts to work together to urge policymakers to continue supporting students through this critical funding.

This article is part of the ConnectIT: Bridging the Gap Between Education and Technology series.