E-Rate News Flash 24-04
Issue 24-04
May 1, 2024
K-12 Broadband News Flash
Table of Contents
- Announcements
- Important Dates and Deadlines
- Training and Assistance
- E-Rate Process: Activities to Work on Now
- Grant Opportunities
- Conferences and Meetings
- Bright Spots
- Contact
Announcements
USAC Issues First Wave of E-Rate Funding Commitments for FY 2024
On April 26, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) issued its first wave of funding commitment decision letters for Funding Year 2024. For California, 1,160 organizations were committed for $66 million in the first wave. USAC will release additional commitments on a rolling basis as it processes applications through September 1. If your organization has not received a commitment letter, make sure to be responsive to USAC’s inquiries! You may also contact USAC to request the status of your application.
U.S. Department of Education Launches Government Coordinating Council to Strengthen Cybersecurity in Schools
The U.S. Department of Education, in coordination with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), announced that it has launched a Government Coordinating Council (GCC) to support the national effort to enhance cybersecurity across K-12 educational institutions. Visit the USAC Government Coordintating Council page for more information.
Participate in Annual E-Rate Survey
The annual E-Rate survey is now available! Provide your opinions and experiences about the E-Rate program and application process. Results of the 2023 survey are available in an E-Rate Trends Report. Please take a few minutes and complete the 2024 survey to ensure your voice is heard by policymakers!
We Want Your Voice
The Digital Equity Broadband team at CDE is asking for your input on a draft feedback form meant to glean insights about digital equity from you. Please take a few minutes to complete the draft form to the best of your ability no later than May 19 so that we can iterate and launch soon!
Important Dates and Deadlines
Keeping up with deadlines of various funding programs to not lose out on possible funds!
E-Rate
FY2023 Non-Recurring Cost Reimbursement Deadline May 28, 2024
FY2023 Special Construction Deadline June 30, 2024
FY2025 FCC Form 470 Available to Kick Off Bidding July 1, 2024
Emergency Connectivity Fund
Last Date to Receive Equipment or Services June 30, 2024
Last Date to File for Reimbursement August 29, 2024
Training and Assistance
K12 High Speed Network E-Rate Support Resources
K12HSN’s E-Rate Support Team is available to assist schools with questions at any time regarding E-Rate program requirements and deadlines. Schools may reach out to the team via e-mail to request support by contacting eratequestions@lists.k12hsn.org. The team’s webinars and office hours are recorded and posted on K12HSN’s E-Rate training website. The team will be holding webinars in the upcoming months to help K-12 schools maximize their E-Rate funding opportunities. Select the topic links below to register:
You've Received Your E-Rate Funding Commitment, Now What? May 2 at 1:00 PM PT
Best Practices for Receiving Timely E-Rate Reimbursements May 23 at 1:00 PM PT
Understanding and Preparing for E-Rate Audits June 20 at 1:00 PM PT
Universal Service Administrative Company Resources
E-Rate Resources
The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) has pre-recorded webinars and other materials available at the USAC website. Please subscribe to USAC’s Schools and Libraries News Brief to receive the most current program information and announcements.
Registration Open for 2024 Regional In-Person Training Events
USAC is holding in-person training sessions in various regions of the country covering program processes and updates for Funding Year 2025. All E-Rate program participants are welcome including applicants, service providers, and consultants of all experience levels. Visit USAC’s website for Registration links.
E-Rate Training: September 17, 2024, Dallas, TX
E-Rate Training: October 7, 2024, Washington, DC
E-Rate Training: October 29, 2024, Fayetteville, AR
Tribal-Focused E-Rate Training: November 12, 2024, Palm Springs, CA
Emergency Connectivity Fund Resources
USAC has conducted multiple office hour webinars for ECF. As the program winds down, make sure to review program requirements for tracking of equipment and services and submission requirements for program reimbursements. The Federal Communications Commission’s Frequently Asked Questions website is also a tremendous resource and is updated regularly.
California Public Utilities Commission Broadband Internet Caseworkers
Could you benefit from additional support about broadband strategies and funding opportunities? Leverage the CPUC Caseworkers who provide seminars and expertise about grants, project planning, data and mapping, business models, and regulations. Request a meeting for help navigating the complex landscape of strategies and funding for developing affordable high-speed internet for everyone.
E-Rate Process: Be Prepared! Activities to Work on Now
Review Your Funding Commitment Decision and File Appeal if Necessary
Once USAC has issued your organization’s Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) for Funding Year 2024, it is important to review it and the approved FCC Form 471 application carefully to ensure there were no errors in the processing of the application. The FCDL will be sent via e-mail to the contact and authorized signer of the Form 471 and may also be viewed in the News Feed in the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) Portal. To view the approved Form 471, select the FCC Forms option and Category - FCC Form 471 - and Funding Year - 2024. At the bottom of the selected form, you may select the option “Download Current PDF.” This will generate a PDF file which can then be reviewed to determine if funded details are correct.
If you find an error, you must file an appeal within 60 calendar days of the FCDL date! In the appeal, provide a detailed description of USAC’s error and provide supporting documentation, if necessary. Don’t wait!
Grant Opportunities
California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Adoption Account – July 1 Deadline
The California Public Utilities Commission’s CASF Adoption Account grants are available to increase publicly available or after-school broadband access and digital inclusion, such as grants for digital literacy training programs and public education to communities with limited broadband adoption. Visit the grant website for more information and to file an application.
Digital Equity Act Grants are Coming Soon!
Details on two federal Digital Equity Grant Programs will be announced in the coming months. The Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program and the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program will both publish Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) this calendar year. Now is the time to review California’s Digital Equity Plan, and to start working with your communities on partnering up to help targeted populations benefit from this historic investment. The Coalition on Adult Basic Education has published useful webinars called Digital Equity Champions for All Learners to outline important details of these forthcoming opportunities!
BIG Grant Helps Bring Fiber Broadband Connectivity to Unserved Schools
The Broadband Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program provides fiber broadband connectivity to California’s most poorly connected schools in order to promote digital learning opportunities. The grant supports the build out, project management, and implementation of high-speed broadband for schools lacking fiber broadband connectivity. For more information, please visit CENIC’s BIG Program website and complete the simple application form!
Conferences and Meetings
Attend Upcoming Conferences to Network with Likeminded Technology-Focused Colleagues
California Broadband Summit at the CalMatters Ideas Festival in Sacramento - June 5-6
Are you looking to leverage historic investments in broadband? If so, join in the discussion and hear from key experts on California’s implementation of the BEAD program, middle mile, digital equity, and Net Neutrality. Visit the California Broadband Summit website to register! The event will take place as part of the CalMatters Ideas Festival on June 5-6, 2024.
ISTE Live 2024 – June 23-26
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) will hold its annual conference in Denver, Colorado, from June 23-26. Scale to new heights during hundreds of sessions that will bring you up to speed on the latest learning strategies and edtech trends! Visit the ISTE Live conference website for details!
National Conference on Student Assessment – June 24-26
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) National Conference on Student Assessment (NCSA) will be holding its annual conference in Seattle, Washington. For details and to register, visit the conference website.
PBL World 2024 – June 24-27
PBL World, a Project Based Learning conference, will be held in Napa this summer. This event brings together educators – K-12 teachers, instructional coaches, school and district leaders – who want to begin and advance their Project Based Learning practice and connect with a community of their peers.
Events and Meetings
K12HSN Advisory Board – May 8
The quarterly advisory board meeting may be attended virtually. Please visit the K12HSN website for more information.
- Join K12HSN Advisory Board - The K12HSN Advisory Board is seeking candidates to fill Advisory Board vacancies. Please complete the K12HSN Advisory Board Member Interest Form by May 31.
CTF Administrative Committee - June 3
The California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) quarterly Administrative Committee meeting will be held at Sacramento Public Library.
In case you missed it, links to recordings of April events will be posted soon!
- California Broadband Council – April 23
- California Advance Services Fund (CASF) Public Workshop – April 29
Bright Spots
CENIC Conference Highlights
CENIC’s biennial Conference once again provided inspiring glimpses into the future of networking combined with excellent shared stories of the impact of that connectivity for California’s educational communities. Not able to attend? No problem! Recordings of sessions are available on CENIC’s YouTube Channel. If you do not want to miss the next CENIC Right Connection, the Conference will be held in Monterey at the end of March 2026. Subscribe to CENIC’s bi-monthly newsletter for updates and more from CENIC.
CoSN Launches a Virtual Collaboration Series
Discover a new dimension of professional growth with “The CoSN Experience,” an immersive virtual collaboration cafe series that invites you to embark on a journey of monthly conversations and knowledge sharing. Join forces with like-minded colleagues as we collectively empower ourselves with expertise and agile strategies tailored to address local demands from April - November 2024 (six live experiences - approximately one per month). A subscription includes access to “The Best of the Best of CoSN2024” in recorded sessions from the annual conference and highlights.
Contact
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions to K12HSN via email info@k12hsn.org.
Respectfully,
California Department of Education
Digital Equity Team