E-rate funding
E-rate funding is available for erate compliant services offered by American Data Technology, Inc. What Can E-Rate Do for Your School District?
E-Rate is the common name for a federal program that allows schools and libraries in the United States to receive discounts on technology services. Under the E-Rate program, schools and libraries benefit from discounts of 20% to 90% on technology services and materials, depending on their rural and economic status. The E-Rate program has specific guidelines on what is covered, which includes traditional telecommunications services, internet access, and internal connections components. The program can result in major benefits for your school district.
Technology
One of the obvious benefits of the E-Rate program is advanced technology for your district. Rather than using dial-up internet access, for example, which is inadequate for most learning environments, your district will have the opportunity to utilize high-speed access. E-Rate also allows for technology to create or enhance connectivity in and among the schools within the district, like telephones in the classroom and more efficient network systems. Many school districts have extended their benefits even further by investing the money saved through E-Rate into purchasing more advanced technology for the classrooms, like new computers or printers. In this way, even the technology not covered by the E-Rate program can be updated.
A major benefit of E-Rate funding is the ability to access and use standardized instructional software. No longer required to use a hodge-podge of operating systems and antiquated delivery methods, schools in your district will be able to effectively and efficiently deploy computerized learning models, whether online or off. Every student in every school will be able to access the same quality of educational support materials, without issues of download time and poor access interfering in their ability to use the materials.
E-Rate offers an indirect benefit of better standardized test performance and increased compliance with the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The incorporation of technology in the classroom environment has been found, in several studies, to lead to an increase in testing performance. With access to standardized instructional software, a wider variety of learning sources, and increased interactions through virtual classrooms, students are more prepared for the material covered on standardized tests. In addition, every student will have equal access to materials on their educational level, helping them master required information.
Involvement
Your school district will be better able to communicate needs, events and issues within the district, including with individual schools, using the technology available through the E-Rate program. Individual district, school, teacher and classroom web pages allow for a greater communication outlet on every level. With the increased availability of information to parents and community members comes increased participation from them. Parents and community members are able to take a more active role both in district function and in their child's education because of a greater awareness of what is going on within the district and in the classroom.
E-Rate not only increases involvement by parents and community members, it increases interaction and involvement within the schools. Teachers and administrators are able to more easily communicate with each other, and are more likely to use available resources, because using them becomes easier. For example, school libraries can catalog their entire collection on the school network in a very short time, allowing any student or faculty member to access the library catalog and quickly discover whether a book exists and is available through the library. Because library research is simplified, it takes place more often.
Educational offerings
E-Rate funding can also expand the educational offerings of your district. The new technology allows for the use of virtual classrooms. Teachers are able to use online discussion forums, email dialogue, and online quizzes and assignments to increase involvement and learning for students. Teachers can even lead students on a virtual field trip to areas that would never be readily accessible without the technology.
Another option for expanding the opportunities offered is the use of distance learning. Through high-speed internet access and other advanced technologies, schools in your district can connect to other schools, colleges and universities, creating a collaborative learning environment. Through this outlet, it is possible for students to take classes that would normally not be available to them, creating students with a more well-rounded education. The additional learning opportunities increase the scores of students on standardized tests, as well as increasing the likelihood of students from your district being able to continue their education at the post-secondary level.
Because E-Rate is a federal program, there are rules and regulations on how funding can be applied. In addition, there is a set application process that involves multiple forms and must include specific information. Applying for E-Rate discounts can be a complicated process; however, there are organizations and individuals, both profit and not-for-profit, that will assist you with the process. The benefits of receiving the E-Rate discounts for your district far outweigh the time involved in applying.
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