E-rate and the California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) are programs that provide discounts on telecommunication costs to eligible schools. Although there are differences in eligible services and discount rates, it is possible for schools to receive significant discounts on telecommunications costs by using both E-rate and CTF discounts together.
- E-rate Reference Material
- Join the E-rate e-mail list to receive updates about E-rate and the CTF programs.
Subscribe to the E-rate listserv by sending a "blank" message to join-cde-e-rate@mlist.cde.ca.gov.
If you would like to unsubscribe from the E-rate listserv, send a "blank" message to unsubscribe-cde-e-rate@mlist.cde.ca.gov.
E-rate
E-rate is a federal program of the Federal Communications Commission
administered by the Schools
and Libraries Division (SLD)
of the Universal Service Administrative
Company that provides eligible kindergarten through grade twelve
public schools and libraries 20 percent to 90 percent discounts
on approved telecommunications, Internet access, and internal
connections costs. E-rate discounts are based on the number of
students eligible for the National School Lunch Program. Schools
and libraries in low-income urban communities and rural areas
qualify for higher discounts. Although the E-rate application
process can be difficult, every school district should consider
applying for E-rate discounts. Information about E-rate training is located at K-12 High Speed Network.
California Teleconnect Fund
While the E-rate program includes discounts for a wider range
of telecommunications services, CTF
offers discounts for measured business service as well as high
bandwidth data lines. Although offering a smaller menu of eligible
services, the CTF application process is simpler than E-rate.
Applications for CTF discounts are submitted to the telecommunications
carrier, who will submit the completed eligible application to
the California Public Utilities Commission Telecommunication Division.
When CTF discounts are approved, the telecommunications carrier
will discount the telecommunications to the school.
Technology Planning
Technology plans are not required for Priority 1 Services. They are only required for Priority 2 Services.
Priority 1 Services include:
- Telecommunication Services
- Telecommunications
- Internet Access
Prioty 2 Services include:
- Internal Connections
- Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections
The Technology Planning Guide gives the four approval criteria for technology plans and the process for the submittal and review of an E-rate technology plan.
Note that an approved E-rate technology plan is acceptable for the E-rate program and the Education Technology K-12 Voucher program only. It is not acceptable for any other state-administered technology program. An approved comprehensive education technology plan is acceptable for E-rate application purposes. If you are interested in submitting a comprehensive education technology plan, please contact your California Technology Assistance Project (CTAP) representative.
Technology Plan Status
To check to see if a county, district, or direct-funded charter
school is currently certified and meets this requirement, select
one of the following:
View Technology
Plans by County
If you believe the information is not accurate or need information about past E-rate technology plans for audit purposes, please contact the Education Technology Office at edtech@cde.ca.gov or 916-323-5715.
