SETDA in the News: July 2014 Round Up
The headline stories for the month of July 2014 predominantly center on e-Rate modernization – and appropriately so. On July 11, 2014 after the FCC Commissioners voted to take the first step to modernizing the e-Rate, Doug Levin, SETDA’s Executive Director issued the following statement:
“With today’s vote, the FCC has taken a critical step to guaranteeing the 18 year-old E-rate program can continue to fulfill its critical role of ensuring equity of access to learning opportunities and supporting innovations in teaching and learning in a digital age. We thank Chairman Wheeler for his principled approach to modernization, Commissioner Clyburn for her support and leadership in initially launching the modernization effort, and Commissioner Rosenworcel for her steadfast advocacy on behalf of the needs of students and educators.
By acting today, the FCC has set robust broadband access to and throughout all schools and libraries as the E-rate’s primary goal, increased transparency of program operations and provided incentives for applicants to seek preferred pricing and services.
At the same time, today’s vote acknowledges that significant work remains to be done to ensure that specific, predictable and sufficient funding is secured to meet K-12 and library broadband infrastructure needs over the long-term and that schools and libraries – especially in rural and remote areas – have cost-effective options to access the robust broadband needed for teaching and learning in a digital age.
SETDA pledges to continue working collaboratively with the FCC and others to ensure the nation’s educational broadband needs are fully and comprehensively addressed for the long-term through the next steps in E-rate modernization.”
Other big stories of the month include the announcement of the 2014-15 SETDA Board of Directors and leadership – and the release of a new study by ED on the ability of 4th graders to participate in online testing. Here is the round up for July 2014:
- Getting Smart: 20 Can’t Miss Edu Conferences
- Education Week: The Winners, and Losers, in E-Rate Modernization
- The Wall Street Journal: Report Backs Computer-Based Testing for Students
- edCentral.org: E-rate Reform: Making the Conversation (Wi-Fi) Accessible
- Education Week: FCC Prepares to Vote on E-Rate Overhaul
- Education Week: E-Rate Modernization Proposal the Focus of Last-Minute Lobbying
- WRAL – TechWire: FCC moves forward with E-Rate reforms
- The Wire: FCC Approves $2 Billion to Bring Wi-Fi to Underserved Schools
- edSurge: FCC Approves E-Rate Reform to Boost Funding for Broadband
- The Verge: FCC Approves Multibillion-Dollar Push to Put Wi-Fi in Schools and Libraries
- Reuters: U.S. Telecom Regulators Tackle Internet Subsidy for Schools
- Education Week: E-Rate Modernization Proposal the Focus of Last-Minute Lobbying
- Benton Foundation: FCC Reforms and Modernizes the E-rate
- T.H.E. Journal: SETDA Names Board for 2014-2015
- Education Week: FCC Prepares to Vote on E-Rate Overhaul
- Education Dive: How 3 State Education Departments are Embracing the Future
- Education Week: Modernizing E-Rate to Connect Kids
- The Hill: Education Groups Back $2 Billion Wi-Fi Plan
- Benton Foundation: E-Rate Modernization: It’s About Time
- Tech Republic: FCC’s E-Rate Proposal Aims to Close the Wi-Fi Gap in US Schools and Libraries
In addition, be sure to check out a sampling of SETDA Says blog posts and our Press Releases from the month of July.
- Assessing Claims of ConnectED Progress in ‘Year of Action’
- SETDA Comment on FCC Vote on E-Rate Modernization
- FCC Chairman Wheeler’s E-Rate Proposal: A Pragmatic First Step Forward
- Coalition of Education Organizations: FCC Chairman’s E-Rate Modernization Proposal Is “Critical First Step” Toward Providing All Students with Access to High-Speed Broadband
For an up-to-date archive and chronicle of notable SETDA mentions online and in the press, be sure to visit the In the News section of our website.