In the late 90s, with the use of technology in schools
rapidly evolving, the internet and telecommunications services became
increasingly more common and were quickly considered to be valuable tools that
enhanced student learning.
Recognizing that full access to these services was a
critical piece of student success, the federal government developed the
Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC); a federal program that gives
annual financial support to a select number of public K-12 schools and private
libraries across the country to offset a portion of their internet and
telecommunications costs. Commonly known as “E-rate”, the program provides
entities with discounts of up to 90 percent on these services. The amount of
the discount is based on the district’s percentage of students receiving free
and reduced lunch.
The Clare-Gladwin RESD, along with Beaverton, Clare,
Farwell, Gladwin and Harrison school districts have been applying for and
receiving these discounts since 1998. They were recently awarded funding for
the fourteenth consecutive year, saving a combined total of more than $7
million in telecommunications costs over time.
“The overall purpose of the program was to alleviate some of
the financial burden schools faced when simply paying for equipment and
materials necessary to provide basic technology,” said Clare-Gladwin RESD Director
of Technology Ken Chinavare. “The government encouraged the districts who
received the discounts to redirect the money they would have normally had to
spend on those essentials and invest it in new technology that enhances
learning and instruction, such as SMART Boards, laptop carts, and more.”
Specifically, the RESD and the local districts rely on the
discounts to help with the cost of the schools’ internet, local and
long-distance phone service, cellular phone service, and internal connections, such
as basic phone maintenance and data wiring and electronics.
“This funding is crucial for our organization and the local
districts,” said Chinavare. “Our budgets are extremely limited, so the E-rate
discounts allow us to maintain our current technology required for everyday
functions, like phone service and internet. In turn, we are able to invest in
some of the developing technology that is necessary for 21st Century
learning.”
According to their
website, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is an independent,
not-for-profit corporation created in 1997 to collect universal service
contributions from telecommunications carriers and administer universal support
mechanisms (programs) designed to help communities across the country secure
access to affordable telecommunications services. USAC carries out its
functions as the administrator of the federal universal service programs and
universal service fund (USF) under the oversight of the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC).
