K-12 leaders have an opportunity to leverage the edtech investments they made in the shift to remote and hybrid instruction and build on teachers’ new skills to lead digital transformation in their schools.
…Read MorePodcast Series: Innovations in Education
Explore the full series of eSchool News podcasts hosted by Kevin Hogan—created to keep you on the cutting edge of innovations in education.
E-rate insight protects school technology infrastructure
Key points:
- Schools still rely on E-rate funds to upgrade and protect their technology infrastructures
- Will cybersecurity receive E-rate funding?
- 3 ways the E-rate program helps level up learning
- For more news on the E-rate, see eSN’s IT Leadership hub
When the Federal Communications Commission’s E-rate program first emerged in 1996, only 14 percent of the nation’s K-12 classrooms were connected to the internet. Since then, the program has transformed to help schools and libraries connect to high-speed broadband. Today, nearly three-quarters of K-12 school districts provide internet bandwidth at a minimum rate of 1 megabit per second, according to the 2023 Report on School Connectivity.
Despite making significant technological advances over the past two decades, schools still rely on E-rate funds to upgrade and protect their technology infrastructures. However, many districts find it challenging to engage in long-term planning without outside consultation or tools that help them evaluate their programs and stay abreast of the latest E-rate policy changes. Keeping up with comment cycles and changing requirements can open new opportunities for students and library patrons.…Read More
The looming threat that could worsen the digital divide
Key points:
- Without continued funding, schools and libraries may struggle to maintain or upgrade technological infrastructure
- See article: 3 ways the E-rate program helps level up learning
- See article: Will cybersecurity receive E-rate funding?
- For more news on E-rate, visit eSN’s IT Leadership page
In an era where technology plays a pivotal role in education, the expiration of the E-rate program’s Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) funding poses a significant threat to underserved schools and libraries. This funding, which was crucial in bridging the digital divide, now stands at a crossroads, potentially leaving many educational institutions grappling with outdated technology and hindering access to the digital resources necessary for effective learning.
While the stakes are high and a potential crisis may be looming, there are several solutions to mitigate the impact on underserved areas as we transition to a post-ECF era.…Read More
E-rate applicants clamor for cybersecurity services
Key points:
- Cybersecurity remains a major concern among school IT leaders, and many schools would like these services included in the E-rate program
- Schools and libraries continue to depend on the E-rate funding for internet connections and affordable pricing
- See related article: Will cybersecurity receive E-rate funding?
- For more news on the E-rate, visit eSN’s IT Leadership page
An annual E-rate report reveals a strong consensus among respondents for cybersecurity services to be included in the federal program, considering their critical role in safeguarding educational institutions against cyber threats.
The 13th annual E-rate Trends Report from E-rate compliance services firm Funds For Learning is designed to understand how the program can best serve schools and libraries. School and library input is compiled and delivered directly to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to inform program administration.…Read More
A charter school gets e-learning up to speed with a modern WiFi solution
The mission at The Academy of Hope, a public charter school for kindergarten through eighth grade, is to maximize student potential by cultivating business acumen, sharpening critical thinking and improving communication skills. But outdated technology was standing in the way of achieving this goal. The school had a “home-grown” WiFi solution with inconsistent coverage throughout the school building. And the internet service providing the underlying connectivity didn’t deliver enough bandwidth.
Read this case study to learn how, with the help of an E-rate consultant, the school identified telecommunications providers with eligible solutions, and why they ultimately chose Managed WiFi from Spectrum Enterprise.…Read More
Will cybersecurity receive E-rate funding?
Key points:
- Schools are under extreme pressure to ward off cyberattacks
- Funding for school security systems networks would greatly bolster network defenses
- See related article: Why E-rate is critical for school technology access
- Learn How to Lower Cybersecurity Threats to Your School
Since 2016, more than 1,300 schools have been victims of cyberattacks, including student data breaches, ransomware attacks, email scams, and other incidents, according to a January 2023 report by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
A recent Sophos survey reveals that in 2022, 80 percent of schools were targeted for a cyberattack, up from 56 percent in 2021. Schools are now the leading target for cybergangs, according to The74. The education sector is particularly vulnerable compared to other industries. It reported one of the highest rates of ransom payment, with 47 percent of K-12 educational organizations paying the ransom requested. These organizations, on average, paid $2.18 million in recovery costs (when paying the ransom) vs. $1.37 million if they chose not to pay, Sophos reports.…Read More
In cybersecurity, balancing vigilance with access
Cybersecurity is at the forefront of IT issues to be addressed over the next year. Nearly every list of major IT or educational technology issues for 2023 includes the need to further harden educational systems and infrastructure.
More than 20 educational organizations–including AASA, the American Association of School Administrators (the primary superintendents’ association)–have asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expand E-rate to cover advanced firewall technology to support protection from denial of service (DOS), improve virtual private network (VLN) access, and similar upgrades. The FCC is currently soliciting public input on the potential change here until February 13, 2023.
It is easy to understand the need for increased cybersecurity safeguards. In the first half of 2022, at least 34 major cyberattacks were made against schools. Cybercrime cost more than $6.9 billion in 2021. The evening news commonly reports on cyberattacks against pipelines, government systems, and other vital services. Due diligence in considering ways to harden cyber targets and protect student and institutional data is essential and to not do so in today’s environment would probably be willfully negligent. However, there is a need for balancing security with usability.…Read More
3 ways the E-rate program helps level up learning
The federal E-rate program continues to provide expanded access to technology, including edtech tools, digital learning resources, and high-speed internet access, to schools, according to an annual report that takes stock of the program’s progress.
The findings come from E-rate compliance services firm Funds For Learning‘s 12th annual E-rate Trends Report. The report is designed to understand how the program can best serve schools and libraries. Stakeholder input is compiled and delivered directly to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to inform program administration.
Key findings from the 2022 report include:…Read More
Why E-rate is critical for school technology access
Every year, schools and libraries have access to billions of dollars of funding through the FCC’s E-rate program. Unfortunately, many don’t take advantage, oftentimes because of confusion over who is eligible and what services are available. In this post I’ll break down the importance of E-rate, how it works, and the types of technologies it makes available that are crucial to education.
The importance of E-rate
For students in the 21st century, it’s almost impossible to overemphasize the importance of the internet and digital learning technologies. There is a growing dependence on these resources across the U.S., and they are often seen as critical for connecting students and teachers and preparing students for lifelong learning and jobs.…Read More
Leveraging E-Rate to transform learning
To realize the promise of digital learning, schools will need secure, reliable broadband networks. The federal E-Rate program can help; however, the application process can be challenging to navigate.
This guide aims to help K-12 leaders successfully leverage E-Rate discounts to transform teaching and learning. It provides an overview of the program, insights on the application process and strategies to help districts secure the funding they’re entitled to.
…Read MoreE-rate spending reveals schools’ tech evolution
Schooling has changed in many ways in the last two years, but while remote learning, mask policies and increased federal spending in education have gotten lots of attention, another trend has gone nearly unnoticed.
But thanks to the availability of detailed E-rate data, this sea change is now being recognized. E-rate is the federal government program that provides discounts of up to 90 percent for schools and libraries to bring high-speed internet into their building(s) and create internal networks for online access. For years, E-rate applicants have leveraged E-rate to bring fast internet service into their organizations, cobbling together funds and seeking out providers. But today, a new trend is emerging—more funds are being requested to improve internal networks, allowing the flood of devices now used in schools and libraries to effectively get online.
E-rate funding requested in Category One, which includes data transmission services and internet access, has declined for five straight years, largely a function of increasing marketplace competition and decreasing per-megabit prices. But funding requests for Category Two services have soared in the same time period. Category Two funds can be spent on wireless access points, network switches, data cabling and other resources essential for on-campus connections.…Read More
Why e-learning requires Wi-Fi optimization
Schools are officially in the age of technological learning. There are 1:1 programs, hybrid classrooms, free online learning platforms, eLearning applications and assessments, video collaborations, and the expectation of more to come with developments in augmented and virtual reality technologies.
While useful, these technologies can come with challenges. This includes:
- A need for reliable internet connectivity,
- Ongoing maintenance, and
- Ongoing optimization
The good news is that schools have access to free funds that will address all of these challenges thanks to the E-rate program. Here’s how to use it to best support student and teacher success.…Read More