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E-Rate Advantage Resource Center

Get all of your E-Rate questions answered here, at the E-Rate Advantage Resource Center. Use this forum to learn about the E-Rate process, terminology, find important links to the E-Rate and USAC web sites, and generally learn about the intricacies of the program.

Resource Center Sections:

Technology Planning

In order to be compliant with FCC rules all applicants participating in the E-Rate program must have a certified Technology plan. The only exception is applicants that are only applying for basic telephone services.

The FCC states that all applicants applying for anything other than basic telephone services must base their requests on a certified Technology plan. The FCC has stipulated this measure to ensure that all schools are fully prepared to integrate technology into the classrooms.

Under the requirements of the FCC’s Fifth Report and Order (FCC 04-190, released August 13, 2004), a Technology plan must contain the following five elements in order to qualify as an approved Technology Plan:

  1. The plan must establish clear goals and a realistic strategy for using telecommunications and information technology to improve education or library services
  2. The plan must have a professional development strategy to ensure that staff know how to use these new technologies to improve education or library services
  3. The plan must include an assessment of the telecommunication services, hardware, software, and other services that it will need to improve education or library services
  4. The plan must provide a sufficient budget to acquire and support the non-discounted elements of the plan: the hardware, software, professional development and oither services that will be needed to implement the strategy; and
  5. The plan must include an evaluation process that enables the school or library to monitor progress toward the specific goals and make mid-course corrections in response to new developments and opportunities as they arise.

To learn more about Technology planning and the technology plan approval process please click here

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CIPA Compliance

In order for applicants to receive Universal Service Fund (USF) support they must continually enforce an internet safety policy that includes measures to block or filter certain visual depictions from both minors and adults. This policy is known as CIPA and was signed into law on December 21, 2000.

During the application process school or library officials must certify that they have complied with the requirements of CIPA, that they are undertaking actions to comply with CIPA, such as procuring the necessary filtering systems to be in compliance with CIPA, or that they do not have to comply with CIPA because they are receiving discounts only on telecommunications services.

In order for an applicant to be CIPA compliant they must have the following three elements:

Technology Protection Measure:

A technology protection measure is a specific technology that blocks or filters Internet access. It must protect against access by adults and minors to visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or — with respect to use of computers with Internet access by minors — harmful to minors. It may be disabled for adults engaged in bona fide research or other lawful purposes. For schools, the policy must also include monitoring the online activities of minors.

Internet Safety Policy

The Internet safety policy must address the following issues:

  • Access by minors to inappropriate matter on the internet and World Wide Web
  • The safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications
  • Unauthorized access including “hacking” and other unlawful activities by minors inline
  • Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors
  • Measures designed to restrict minors’ access to material harmful to minors.

Public Notice and Hearing

The authority with responsibility for administration of the school or library must provide reasonable public notice and hold at least one public hearing to address a proposed technology protection measure and Internet safety policy.

For more information please click here

CIPA compliancy information cited from USAC website

Planning Ahead

Although the current USAC CIPA policy does not require schools to provide education to their students about the potential dangers of the internet and appropriate online behavior, it appears they may in the near future.

Please see the FCC version of CIPA and Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act approved by the Senate and currently before the House. Read the bill here.

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Helpful Forms & Links

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E-Rate Consulting Services

Application Planning

Success with the E-Rate process begins long before the first application is filed. E-Rate Advantage works with our clients to insure there is consistency between the clients’ technology plan and the E-Rate application.

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Application Filing and Program Compliance

From PIA reviews to selective reviews, program compliance issues to audits, E-Rate Advantage will work with you through each review serving as the single point of contact with the USAC review team.

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Post Approval Services

The process is not complete once the Funding Commitment Decision Letter is received. This is a government program – there is still more paperwork before the school receives their funding.

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