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

  • Esports are Growing in Popularity

    Video games and esports are a popular social hobby, and it’s one that’s accessible to a wide variety of physical ability levels. Some esport student-athletes have started to earn scholarship opportunities, and high schools are beginning to form teams equipped with the same degree of resources as their physical sports teams. However, the two have very different needs.

  • Phoenix High School Completes First Phase of Campus Renovations

    Metro Tech High School, part of the Phoenix Union High School District (PXU) in Phoenix, Ariz., recently announced the completion of the first stage of a campus renovation project, according to a news release. The school reopened a series of public-facing business operations spaces including credit union, daycare, floral, cosmetology, and culinary services. It also includes new CTE learning spaces for the school’s nursing assistant, pharmacy, and sports medicine programs.

  • University of Rochester to Break Ground on New Student Life Center

    The University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y., recently began construction on a new Student Life building, according to a news release. The first floor will contain campus-wide gathering, program, and rehearsal space; the second floor will play home to the Greenbaum Center for Jewish Life.

  • DLR Group Announces New Mid-Atlantic Higher Education Leader

    Integrated design firm DLR Group recently announced that it has promoted Principal Shawn Gaither, AIA, LEED AP, to the role of higher education leader in the Mid-Atlantic, according to a news release. Gaither has served with the firm for more than 20 years, most recently as the national higher education business development leader.