The
e-Rate program provides all K-12 schools
with significant discounts on all aspects of telecommunications, internet
access and the necessary internal connections.
Discount
rates of 20% - 90% became effective January 1, 1998. The discount
will be determined on the eligibility for
free and reduced price lunch. It is not necessary to have a free/reduced
price lunch program to receive the discount, but it will be necessary
to document the eligibility for that lunch program using the survey
that has been prepared for program participation.
| What
is eligibile (partial listing):
- network
wiring
- telephone
(local and long distance)
- internet
access costs
- routers
- hubs
- servers
- software
required to run the network
- wireless
networks
- installation
costs
- maintenance
costs
|
-
Steps
that must be taken by ALL schools:
- 1.
Conduct a Technology Assessment
- 2.
Write a plan for the use of technology
- 3.
Write a description of the services needed in order to implement
the plan
-
-
- In
writing the Technology Plan you should keep in mind:
- a.
a vision of where you want to be three years from now
- b.
the needs/components to make that vision a reality
- c.
a focus on the application of technology, not just the tools
- d.
remember that computers are only one technology
- e.
the need to educate your teachers
- f.
to allocate funding in the plan for technical support
-
-
YOU
WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR DISCOUNTS WITHOUT A WRITTEN TECHNOLOGY
PLAN!!
-
-
The
Do's and Don'ts of Discounts
-
- Do
work on your institution's technology plan. Include plans for training,
hardware, software, and enough money to pay for the undiscounted
portion of your telecommunications costs after the universal service
discounts. You'll also need this plan to be approved by an independent
third party (such as the state education or library agency) in order
to be eligible for discounts.
-
- Do
stay informed. Visit the web sites listed for information, updates,
media tips, and links to other sites dealing with universal service
discounts. Call the Schools and Libray Division of the USAC with
questions.
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|
The E-Rate Program 