E-rate Technology Plans: Criteria and Approval Process

To receive E-rate discounts applicants (i.e., schools and libraries) must have an approved technology plan. This requirement is cited specifically in Paragraph 573 of the May 1997 FCC report (CC Docket No. 96-45) on implementing the E-rate program. The information below outlines the technology plan criteria and the plan certification process. Note: A plan is not needed when applying for discounts on only plain voice telephone service.

CONTENTS

1.0 Plan Certification Agencies

2.0 Plan Criteria and Approval for Public Schools

3.0 Plan Criteria and Approval for Public Libraries

4.0 Plan Criteria and Approval for Nonpublic K-12 Schools

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arrow right 1.0 Plan Certification Agencies

The Schools and Libraries Division (SLD), the agency that administers the E-rate program, has declared the following organizations to be the official E-rate plan certification agents for Wisconsin schools and libraries.

Applicant	Plan Approval Agency	Contact Person
Public K-12 Schools	Department of Public Instruction Division for Libraries and Community Learning	Donna Steffan phone: 608-267-1282 email: donna.steffan@dpi.wi.gov
Public Libraries	Department of Public Instruction Division for Libraries and Community Learning	Bob Bocher phone: (608) 266-2127 fax: (608) 267-1052 email: robert.bocher@dpi.wi.gov
Nonpublic schools that are WCRIS (Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools) members	WCRIS	Kristine Fischer, Executive Assistant phone: 608/204-0795 email: wcris@wcris.org
Nonpublic schools that are not WANS members	TEACH Wisconsin	Tara Baxter (608) 266-7738 fax: (608) 261-7420 email: tara.baxter@wisconsin.gov

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arrow right 2.0 Plan Criteria and Approval for Public Schools

Technology plan approval for school districts is not only important for internal district goals setting and student achievement, but it also allows districts to qualify for both state and federal grant monies available for technology assistance. Districts with approved plans are eligible for competitive TEACH WI grants, for EdTech grants and the E-rate.

District plans are approved using a checklist developed from the Wisconsin Educational Technology Plan PK-12, Appendix O, which is a suggested table of contents for a local school district technology plan.

A district plan must address all of the items listed and must be no longer than three (3) years. If it is approved using this checklist, it will qualify your district to apply for any state or federal grant at this time. The checklist includes:

Introduction
Background
Program Goals & Initiatives In Support Of Education
Current Status/Needs Assessment
Technology Needed To Achieve Goals
Educational Technology Implementation Action Plan
Monitoring, Evaluation, And Revision of the Educational Technology Plan
Adult Technology Literacy Component

For additional information on school district technology plan approval process, visit the Instructional Media and Technology Team home page or contact Donna Steffan.

A school technology plan that meets the above criteria should be sent to:

Technology Plan Approval, IMTT
Department of Public Instruction
125 S. Webster St., P.O. Box 7841
Madison, WI 53707-7841
608-261-6327 fax (608) 267-1052

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arrow right 3.0 Plan Criteria and Approval for Public Libraries

Note: All library system technology plans since 2001 meet the SLD plan criteria allowing a system plan to cover its member libraries. Therefore, individual libraries can check Form 470, #20b and Form 471, #26b. See the memo titled Library System Technology Plans: State and E-rate Requirements for details of this process.

Because system plans now cover their member libraries' E-rate applications, the division no longer certifies individual library technology plans. (updated 4-02)

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arrow right 4.0 Plan Criteria and Approval for Nonpublic K-12 Schools

The Wisconsin Association of Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools has a process to review and certify technology plans for nonpublic K-12 schools. If you have questions on this process, please contact:

Kristine Fischer, Executive Assistant
Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools
437 Yellowstone Dr., Ste. 205
Madison, Wisconsin 53719

TEACH (Technology for Educational Achievement in Wisconsin) staff will review technology plans from nonpublic schools that are not members of WANS. Any questions on TEACH technology plan review process should be directed to:

Tara Baxter
DOA TEACH
101 East Wilson St.
P.O. Box 8761
Madison, WI 53708-8761
phone: (608) 266-7738 fax: (608) 261-7420
email: tara.baxter@wisconsin.us

Go to the Wisconsin E-rate page

December, 2008

For questions about this information, contact Robert F. Bocher (608) 266-2127

Last updated on 3/17/2009 1:46:54 PM