Issue 24-07

September 2024   

K-12 Broadband News Flash

Table of Contents

• Announcements
• Important Dates and Deadlines
• Programs and Funding Opportunities
• Conferences and Meetings 
• Bright Spots 
• E-Rate Process: Activities to Work on Now
• E-Rate Training and Assistance
• Contact

Announcements

Plan Now for Digital Citizenship Week – October 14-18

It’s not too soon to start planning for Digital Citizenship Week and even Cybersecurity Month all taking place in October! Stay tuned for upcoming events from CDE in the October edition, but for now, check out CDE Digital Citizenship general resources.

Low-Cost Internet Service Finder

With the end of the pandemic-era Affordable Connectivity Program and Emergency Connectivity Fund, schools and families may struggle to keep their students connected to online educational resources at home during the 2024/25 school year. California’s Broadband for All website offers a tool to help residents find low cost home internet services and devices. Families with K-12 students may contact the organization EveryoneOn for assistance at (877) 779-1169 or via e-mail at enroll1@everyoneon.org.

CDE Announces News and Literacy for All Webinar Series

The CDE is continuing to work with the News Literacy Project in conjunction with county offices of education in Santa Clara, Fresno, San Diego, and the California School Library Association to bring you a series of free virtual webinars with resources for educators to help hone their students’ news and media literacy skills. All times start at 3:30 p.m. and will be accessed through Zoom:

• September 19: Misinformation Awareness and Red Flags
• October 17: Elections Specific, Using Current Events
• November 21: Is it Legit – 5 Verifications for Misinformation
• February 20, 2025: Artificial Intelligence Awareness and the Research Process
• March 20, 2025: Algorithms, Building Search Habits
• April 17, 2025: Making Sense of Data

The recordings and resources will all be posted to the News and Media Literacy for All California Educators Together group (note: an account is required for access); you can access last year’s resources and recordings there as well. For more information, email Jennifer Howerter, Education Programs Consultant, at jhowerter@cde.ca.gov.

Submit Your K12HSN and CENIC Letter of Agency

With the support of State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, the California K-12 High Speed Network (K12HSN) and Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC) are pleased to invite all California local educational agencies (LEAs), including county offices of education, school districts and charter schools to join the statewide consortium led by CENIC. Annually, this consortium pursues E-Rate funding for its connections to the California Research and Education Network (CalREN). There is no fee to join the consortium, and your participation will directly contribute to maximizing the E-Rate subsidies that support the statewide network leveraging the state's investment and benefiting all LEAs. Participation in the CENIC E-rate Consortium does not affect your LEA’s ability to independently apply for and obtain E-Rate funding. Complete your Letter of Agency today by following this link and e-mailing it to LOA@k12hsn.org.

Digital Inclusion Week Starts October 7 – Toolkit Available!

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) has provided a Toolkit to help organizations plan for the October 7-11 Digital Inclusion Week activities.

The BEAD Challenge Rebuttal Phase Open Through September 19

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has opened the BEAD Challenge Rebuttal Phase August 21 through September 19, 2024. While only broadband service providers can submit rebuttals against their challenged services, school districts can submit a rebuttal against other challenge types. Visit the CPUC’s website to learn more about how your organization can contribute to this important process.  

We Want Your Voice

The Educational Technology team at CDE that supports Digital Equity and Broadband is asking for your input meant to glean insights about digital equity from you to support your needs!

Important Dates and Deadlines

Keeping up with deadlines of various funding programs to not lose out on possible funds! 

Programs and Funding Opportunities

Cybersecurity Grants and Funding Opportunities

State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program - Applications are due September 27, 2024.

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HSEM) Branch, is now accepting applications for the 2024-25 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant – Local and Tribal. The purpose of the grant is to assist local governments, including school districts, in addressing cybersecurity risks and threats to information systems, and improve security of critical infrastructure and resilience of the services these entities provide to their communities. For more information, view the grant website. 

FCC Three-Year Cybersecurity Pilot Program - Applications are due November 1, 2024.

Starting September 17 and through November 1, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will accept applications for a three-year $200 million Cybersecurity Pilot Program. Review the application guide for more details and subscribe to the Universal Service Administrative Company’s Pilot Program e-mail list for program updates! USAC will be hosting multiple webinars to assist applicants with understanding the application process and program requirements.

Digital Equity Grants and Funding Opportunities

National Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program - Applications are due September 23, 2024.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) recently announced the availability of nearly $1 billion to fund programs that ensure communities have access to devices and skills needed to fully participate in the digital world. School districts are eligible to apply for this funding. NTIA has numerous webinars scheduled for August and September; register at this website to learn more about the grant application process and best practices for submitting high quality grants. 

State Digital Equity Capacity Grant

On August 26, the California Department of Technology (CDT) held its second Stakeholder briefing which outlined upcoming dates and more specifics about the structure of the grant and will hold its third briefing on September 30. There will be an opportunity this fall for the public to provide further input.  Sign up to receive important updates! 

E-Rate Hot-Spot Funding

To promote digital equity and help schools close the Homework Gap, the FCC has authorized use of E-Rate funding to support Wi-Fi on school buses and Wi-Fi hotspot lending programs starting July of 2025.  USAC held an introductory webinar last month to review program funding formulas and requirements. To learn more, sign up for the USAC E-Rate News Brief to receive timely updates on these funding opportunities!

California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Adoption Account Grants - Applications are due January 1, 2025

The California Public Utilities Commission will be awarding another round of grants soon for 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 CPUC’s website for more information. 

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.

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 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

SHLB AnchorNets – October 2-4

The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB) will be holding its annual AnchorNETS conference in Crystal City, VA. This year's conference will have a special focus on the wide variety of federal broadband funding opportunities, including the BEAD Programs, Emergency Connectivity Fund, the Treasury Department Capital Projects Fund, as well as E-Rate, Rural Health Care, and digital equity programs.

Fall CUE Conference – October 5-6

Discover the future of educational technology at the Fall CUE conference Crossing the Digital Divide: Bridging Education with Technology in Sacramento, CA . Experience sessions on integrating technology into curriculum, digital literacy and citizenship, artificial intelligence's role in education, data privacy and security in schools, innovative learning environments, game-based learning, and more!

K-12 Project Management Academy - October 8, November 12, and December 10

The San Diego COE is hosting a project management program to help IT staff learn how to plan, execute, and close projects. The three-day course will be held online.

CITE Annual Conference – November 18-21

California IT in Education (CITE) annual conference is in San Diego, CA at the with Expo Hall Events, with pre-conference activities beginning on November 18. The CITE Conference offers over 200 breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and access to over 250 vendors in the education space to learn and connect with those who serve in similar roles in IT in education.

Events and Meetings

California Teleconnect Fund Administrative Committee Quarterly Meeting – September 9

Middle-Mile Advisory Council Meeting – October 18

California Broadband Council Meeting - October 22

In case you missed it, links to recordings of recent events:

• State Digital Equity Plan & Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program Meeting – August 26
• State & Local Cybersecurity Grant Program Application Workshop – August 22
• USAC Wi-Fi Hotspot Eligibility Webinar – August 15
• SDEP Implementation and DE Capacity Grant Program Stakeholder Engagement Briefing – July 30
• NTIA Digital Equity Competitive Grant Multi-Part Series – July through August sessions
• USAC Cybersecurity Pilot Program Multi-Part Series – July through August sessions 
• CPUC BEAD Challenge Process Multi-Part Series – July through August sessions

Bright Spots

Please share any bright spots from your department, division, outreach, etc. Pictures welcome!

E-Rate Process: Be Prepared! Activities to Work on Now

Plan for Last Year of E-Rate Category 2 Five-Year Funding Allocation Cycle

Every five years USAC calculates a five-year maximum funding allocation called the Category 2 Budget. This is the maximum project amount that will be funded at each organization’s E-Rate discount for a five-year period. Funding Year (FY) 2025 is the final year in the current budget cycle. Unused budgets at the end of the five-year cycle do not carry over to the next cycle – making FY 2025 a ‘use it or lose it’ year! You may verify the status of your five-year budget using USAC’s E-Rate C2 Budget Tool FY2021+ and entering in your Billed Entity Name under the filter. The Available C2 Budget Amount reflects the amount remaining in your budget for FY2025.

Install Internal Broadband Connections or Request Extension by September 30

The E-Rate program has specific deadlines by which on-campus Category 2 equipment must be installed. The service delivery deadline for each funding request number (FRN) may be identified in the E-Rate Productivity Center or in USAC’s Open Data E-Rate FRN Invoice Deadline Tool. The general deadline to install equipment for the FY 2023/24 cycle is September 30, 2024. If you need more time to install equipment, you may file an FCC Form 500 to request a one-year extension. This extension must be requested on or before September 30, 2024. If in doubt about your project’s status, it’s best to request an extension!

E-Rate 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. Sign up for our Fall webinar series by selecting topics below. Sessions are on Wednesdays, starting at 11:00 a.m.

• September 11: Finalize Your E-Rate Services and Reimbursements
• September 18:  Learn about the Wi-Fi Hotspot Lending Program and other E-Rate Updates
• October 23: Start your FCC Form 470 and Competitive Bidding Process 
• October 30: Update your Discount and Category 2 Budget in USAC's Portal
• December 4: Prepare for the E-Rate Application Window and Review USAC's Data Tools

Universal Service Administrative Company Resources

E-Rate Resources

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) has pre-recorded webinars and other materials available on 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

Contact

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions to K12HSN via email info@k12hsn.org