E-RATE
Texas schools and charter schools are required to have an approved
technology plan to participate in the federal Universal Service
Fund program, commonly known as the E-Rate program. The Texas Education
Agency is authorized to approve these plans by the Schools and Libraries
Division (SLD) which administers the program under the direction
of the Federal Communications Commission.
Information on technology plan approval for private and parochial
schools is available on the SLD
website.
All Texas districts and charter schools are required to maintain
an approved Technology Plan submitted electronically via the Texas
e-Plan system. This online planning system allows districts to create,
edit, and file an online technology plan. The online technology
plan is reviewed and approved online. Once plans are reviewed and
approved, districts receive an electronic certification of approval
for the plan.
The new E-Rate procedure for the next funding cycle requires a
written technology plan prior to the submission of form 470. The
deadline to submit Form 470 is January 3, 2007. Districts that apply
for E-Rate funding will have to verify the existence of their written
plan upon request during the E-Rate process. Districts have the
option to have their written plan verified through the Texas ePlan
System or choose to keep a copy of their written plan at their site.
Written plans verified through the Texas ePlan System must be submitted
by January 3, 2007.
Texas STaR Chart Requirements
Along with the online plan, all districts and charter schools
must complete the Texas Campus STaR Chart Needs Assessment for each
campus online at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/starchart each school
year before updating and/or submitting the technology plan in the
e-Plan system.
No Child Left Behind Requirements
Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Title II, Part
D, Enhancing Education Through Technology, the law states that in
order to be eligible to receive a subgrant from the State educational
agency, a local educational agency or eligible local entity shall
submit to the State educational agency an application containing
a new or updated local long-range strategic educational technology
plan that is consistent with the objectives of the statewide educational
plan and compliant with NCLB criteria.To ensure technology plans
meet the requirements for Title II, Part D of No Child Left Behind
and E-Rate for the 2006-2007 year, all districts and charter schools
are required to submit their technology plan via the Texas e-Plan
system.
NCLB technology planning requires districts and charter schools
to address a broader range of requirements than the minimum requirements
for E-Rate. NCLB identifies 12 criteria that must be addressed while
E-Rate has 5 criteria. There is overlap as well as differences in
the degree of specificity needed.
Assistance and Support
If you have questions about the Texas e-Plan system or the Texas
STaR Charts, please contact the Technology Planning and E-Rate Support
Center at techplan@region12.net
Current information regarding technology planning, E-Rate, and
the Texas STaR Chart is available online at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/technology
and through the Technology Planning and E-Rate Support Center at
ESC Region 12 at http://tpesc.esc12.net.
|
