Bush Proposal to Reform E-rate Program
Message Posted February 7, 2001
President Bush recently released his education reform plan "No Child Left Behind" and included is a proposal to reform the E-rate. Because I know many of you are hearing rumors about the proposal and because many groups are calling on their members to call their Congressmen to oppose the Bush plan, I want to provide you with the facts of the proposal and let you make your own conclusion.
1) The facts. The proposal is fairly brief and specifically states, "The Administration believes schools should use technology as a tool to improve academic achievement, and that using the latest technology in the classroom should not be an end unto itself. This proposal begins to accomplish that goal by streamlining duplicative technology programs into a performance-based technology grant program that sends more money to schools. Consolidating the technology grant programs and allocating with E-rate funds by formula ensures that schools will not have to submit multiple grant applications and incur the associated administrative burdens to obtain education technology funding. Furthermore, a single program will facilitate comprehensive and integrated education technology strategies that target the specific needs of individual schools."
There is also a summary of the proposal...
Summary
Sends More Dollars to Schools for Technology.
Consolidated technology grant programs and E-rate funds will be allocated by formula to states and school districts to ensure that more technology funds reach the classroom. Funds will be targeted to high-need schools, including rural schools and schools serving high percentages of low-income students.
Reduces Paperwork and Increases Flexibility.
Burdensome paperwork requirements will be eliminated by sending E-rate funds to schools by a formula instead of the current application process. Flexibility will be increased by allowing funds to be used for purposes that include software purchases and development, wiring and technology infrastructure, and teacher training in the use of technology.
Allows Funds to be Used for Internet Filters.
In support of Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000, funds may be used to purchase filters to protect children from obscene and adult material on the Internet.
2) There are no other specifics regarding the proposal, like where the funds will come from, how much each state will stand to receive, or how long they propose the new program to last. There also is no mention of libraries in the proposal, but from what I understand, the lack of mention of libraries was not intentional and they would be included in any future detailed proposal. The proposal is supportive of technology and the technologies that the E-rate provides. The major difference is the process in which the funds will be driven to the local entities.
3) Finally, the proposal will not impact the applications that you just made for Year 4 of E-rate. We expect that any action that is taken will affect future years, not the 2001-2002 Funding Year.
Hope this helps...
-- Julie
Julie Tritt Schell
Executive Policy Specialist
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street, 10th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126
(717) 705-4486
(717) 787-7222 - fax
jtritt@state.pa.us
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