Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

ISTE Applauds FCC Chairman's E-Rate Proposal

  • 11/17/14

Vision for Program Supports Future-Ready Schools and Libraries

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Having been at the forefront of advocacy in support of the E-Rate program for many years, the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE®) today recognized Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Wheeler for his proposal to increase funding for the program by $1.5 billion. This investment would support the deployment of high-capacity broadband, providing educators and students with the connectivity required to use a wide variety of online resources to transform learning and teaching.

“An investment in education is an investment in our country’s future,” said ISTE CEO Brian Lewis. “This visionary E-Rate proposal by Chairman Wheeler, the centerpiece of which is the first major funding increase for the program in 15 years, sets it on the path to sound financial footing for many years to come. We’re grateful to the Chairman and his fellow commissioners for their leadership in seeking this critical funding increase, as well as the changes necessary to modernize the E-Rate program.”

The need for robust connectivity within schools continues to grow due to the explosion of online and digital learning materials and resources, the increased implementation of 1:1 programs and devices in the classroom, and the rollout of online assessments. ISTE members are at the forefront of these innovations and have communicated the vital necessity of increasing funding for the E-Rate program to the FCC over the last 18 months.

The increase in funding will support efforts toward establishing equity of access to Wi-Fi for all schools and students. ISTE stands behind Chairman Wheeler as he takes this important and ambitious E-Rate proposal before the Commission for final approval on December 11.

ISTE has been highly active in the current E-Rate modernization proceedings, filing comments on behalf of nearly 600 educators from 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. ISTE also filed a petition calling for an increase in E-Rate funding that was signed by more than 1,500 educators.

For more information about the ISTE Advocacy Network visit www.iste.org/advocacy.

Featured

  • Kimball International Releases Curated Design Support Program

    Commercial furnishings company Kimball International recently announced the launch of a new end-to-end design support program, DesignSuite. According to a news release, its goal is to guide architecture & design professionals and dealer partners through the process from vision to specification.

  • Northeastern University Breaks Ground on New Housing Community

    Northeastern University recently announced the groundbreaking of a new student housing community on its campus in Boston, Mass., according to a news release. The university is partnering with American Campus Communities (ACC) for development of the project, which will have the capacity for 1,200 students and has a scheduled completion date of fall 2028.

  • Construction Begins on New University Research Vessel

    Boat-building company All American Marine recently announced that it has begun construction on a new catamaran research vessel for the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) in Port Aransas, Texas, according to a news release.

  • Massachusetts K–12 District Selects Architect for New Junior High

    Swansea Public Schools in Swansea, Mass., recently announced that it has selected Finegold Alexander Architects to design a new junior high school for the district, according to a news release. The firm will create the Feasibility Study and Schematic Design for Joseph Case Junior High School after a lengthy selection process by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).