Add as a preferred source on Google

ISTE Applauds FCC for Listening to Voice of Educators on E-Rate Modernization

  • 07/11/14

Action Includes Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making to Increase E-Rate Funding Cap

WASHINGTON, D.C. –The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE®) today issued the following statement from CEO Brian Lewis following the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) vote on the proposal to modernize the E-Rate program that subsidizes telecommunications and Internet costs for school districts:

“We applaud the Commission’s conviction to doing what’s right for education and launch a serious conversation about change the E-Rate truly does need -- more funding. Our community has spoken and the need for additional support is real. The Commission did the right thing today by issuing a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the E-Rate funding cap. We hope that a final decision on increasing the program’s annual funding cap will come quickly.

We also appreciate the Commission’s willingness to listen to educators and make meaningful improvements to this order. We support many of the practical steps that the Commission adopted today and its commitment to retain the E-Rate’s core principles and flexibility as the foundations of a modernized E-Rate program. We believe that the Commission’s efforts to promote WiFi and broadband in our nation’s classrooms and libraries, coupled with increased funding in the not-too-distant future, has the potential to provide all students with the connectivity necessary for learning in the digital age.

Finally, we extend our sincere thanks to Chairman Wheeler and his fellow Commissioners for their thoughtful actions as we continue this critical process. In addition, we recognize Commissioner Rosenworcel for her staunch support for educators and deep and abiding commitment to the E-Rate program. We look forward to sharing the perspectives and needs of school districts with all of the Commissioners as we move to this next, most crucial phase of E-Rate modernization.”

About ISTE
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE®) is the premier nonprofit organization serving educators and education leaders committed to empowering connected learners in a connected world. ISTE serves more than 100,000 education stakeholders throughout the world. For more information, visit iste.org. Connect with ISTE via Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Featured

  • Pittsburgh High School Upgrades Athletics Facilities’ Technology

    Plum Senior High School in Pittsburgh, Penn., recently partnered with South-Dakota-based Daktronics through the We’re All Mustangs Here Foundation to upgrade the technology in its athletics facilities, according to a news release. Daktronics designed, built, and installed new LED video displays and finished the project in time for the beginning of the 2025 high-school football season.

  • Florida SouthWestern State College, Skanska Partner for Humanities Hall Renovation

    Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) in Fort Myers, Fla., recently announced that it is partnering with construction firm Skanska to renovate the school’s Humanities Hall, according to a news release.

  • Creating Long-Term Sustainability on College Campuses Through Fair Student Housing

    The quality of student housing can have a significant impact on an individual’s college experience. Today’s higher education institutions face mounting challenges, including declining enrollment, low retention rates between the first and second years, and a rise in student mental health concerns. Thoughtfully designed living spaces can help address these issues by creating environments that promote both academic focus and personal well-being.

  • Empowering People Through Smart, Sustainable Campuses

    Sustainability is facing increasing scrutiny, with some questioning its costs and priorities. Yet for universities, it remains an essential driver of resilience, operational efficiency and long-term competitiveness. At the same time, there is a growing recognition that sustainable transformation is not just about reducing energy consumption and emissions to comply with tightening regulations ‒ it’s about creating vibrant, comfortable environments where people can thrive, innovate and connect. For university leadership, this is a complex balancing act, with rising energy costs and limited budgets only adding to the challenge.

Digital Edition