Report Cards and Diplomas: Progress in Meeting the Goals of the E-Rate Program

When Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996, providing that schools and libraries should have access to advanced telecommunications services, it was the era of the computer lab. A lot has changed in the past 30 years-instead of occasionally playing Oregon Trail between research projects, students of all ages now use laptops, tablets, and even their own smartphones all day long.

On June 25, 2026, the FCC adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) seeking comment on a wide array of questions about how to update the E-Rate program to reflect how schools and students actually use the Internet. This item is part of the FCC's "top-to-bottom" review of all Universal Service Fund programs to promote efficiency, transparency, and accountability.

This proceeding is the beginning of an important and long overdue discussion. Indeed, the FCC's decision to adopt the NPRM and FNPRM starts a public notice and comment proceeding that asks a number of questions about the E-Rate program across many topics, and gives the public the opportunity to weigh in on the issues raised by the FCC.

Thirty years is a long time, and when talking about technology it is a very, very long time. The E-Rate program was created in an era when many schools and libraries lacked access to the Internet, or service would be too expensive for schools to purchase themselves. Think connectivity concentrated in computer labs where students learned typing, not devices in the classroom enabling learning across every subject. Today, broadband and Wi-Fi are common in schools, with many students learning on computers and accessing the Internet on either school provided devices or devices they bring from home. Good governance requires, from time to time, stopping to ask how to keep a program aligned with goals set out by Congress.

To that end, the NPRM asks some important questions about whether the goals established by Congress have been met, and whether the E-Rate program should remain unchanged, continue with some changes, and if Congress envisioned the program to operate indefinitely.

The NPRM also asks questions about how to ensure the E-Rate program is effective, how we empower parents, how to keep kids safe online, and whether there is a need to reduce screentime for kids during school hours.

The FNPRM asks important questions about good governance too-like streamlining program administration, strengthening oversight of industry consultants, and the prohibition of certain fee arrangements to ensure responsible stewardship of federal resources. The FNPRM also proposes the deletion of outdated rules associated with pandemic-era programs that have since expired, consistent with the FCC's ongoing Delete, Delete, Delete proceeding.

The FCC did not vote to eliminate the E-Rate program, and no school or library will lose E-Rate support as a result of the vote the FCC took in June.

At the end of the day, the NPRM and FNPRM ask the tough questions necessary for protecting kids online and ensuring the FCC continues to be a good steward of the E-Rate program. Responsible governance sometimes means asking whether a program continues to serve its purpose, is still consistent with the statutory goal provided by Congress, and whether there is a need for large scale changes.

We are committed to engaging with interested parties during the comment period, understanding the positions and priorities of parents, guardians, teachers, and students, and look forward to reviewing the record.