ISTE 2017 Coverage

Survey: 87 Percent of E-rate Applicants Say Funding Vital to Connectivity Goals

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 06/27/17

 

Nearly nine in 10 (87 percent) of E-rate applicants say E-rate funds are vital to their internet connectivity goals, according to the initial findings of Funds For Learning's seventh-annual survey.

Funds For Learning is an E-rate compliance company and "an advocate for the use of educational technologies and student internet access," according to a news release. The full findings o of their most recent survey will be available in the fall. For now, the company is reporting that 79 percent of respondents said they have faster Internet connections as a result of E-rate funds, and 78 percent said they can connect more students or library patrons as a result of the program.

This year's survey features responses from approximately 1,100 applicants, or about 5 percent of all applicants in the United States.

"Certainly, the E-rate program is not without its challenges, but the fundamental nature of the program remains as strong as ever," said John Harrington, CEO of Funds For Learning, in a prepared statement. "While the political climate has shifted, one thing has remained the same: E-rate is vital and will continue to play an indispensable role in connecting schools and communities."

For updates on the full survey results, sign up at fundsforlearning.com. Company representatives will be in booth 2028 to discuss the initial findings this week at the ISTE 2017 conference.