Attend
Exhibit
E-Rate, Homework Gap and Edtech Policy: What's It All About? |
Listen and learn : Ed talk
Dr. Sheryl Abshire Jon Bernstein John Harrington
Join seasoned E-Rate and edtech policy gurus to learn how E-Rate, homework gap, ESSER funding and cybersecurity affect you, your district, school or company. This interactive session will empower attendees with the knowledge to properly plan for federal and state policy developments and advocate for change.
| Audience: | Chief technology officers/superintendents/school board members, Principals/head teachers, Technology coordinators/facilitators |
| Skill level: | Beginner |
| Attendee devices: | Devices useful |
| Attendee device specification: | Smartphone: Android, iOS, Windows Laptop: Chromebook, Mac, PC Tablet: Windows, Android, iOS |
| Participant accounts, software and other materials: | None |
| Topic: | Educational policy |
| Grade level: | PK-12 |
| ISTE Standards: | For Education Leaders: Equity and Citizenship Advocate
Leader
|
The central aim of this presentation is to provide participants with a detailed overview of the status of key federal policy and funding programs relevant to school and home connectivity, cybersecurity, and professional learning focused on online instruction. By providing participants with a solid foundation of policy knowledge through expert presentations and the opportunity to ask questions, we endeavor to arm them with the knowledge necessary to advocate locally and nationally for improved edtech policies and increased edtech funding.
We plan to cover the following key topics/objectives:
*Detailed overview of the E-Rate Program, including the updated Category 2 budget system
*Discuss the Efforts to Address the Homework Gap
*Discuss Cybersecurity Issues and Possible Solutions
*Discuss Funding Opportunities for Professional Learning in Online Instruction
*Discuss New Federal Funding Opportunities and Efforts
The outline for this session is as follows:
Opening remarks (“state of the state”) intro from each presenter (3-5 minute per presenter)
Expert discussions on each of the following topics: (10 minutes each)
*E-rate
*Homework Gap
*Cybersecurity
*Funding for professional development supporting online learning and new Federal funding
Each discussion topic will include key data points, followed by expert discussion and Q&A from audience members (10 minutes of active audience engagement)
Homework Gap:
Chandra, S., Chang, A., Day, L., Fazlullah, A., Liu, J., et al. (2020). Closing the K–12 Digital Divide in the Age of Distance Learning. Common Sense Media and Boston Consulting Group. www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/uploads/pdfs/common_sense_media_report_final_7_1_3pm_web.pdf
Alliance for Excellent Education, National Indian Education Association, National Urban League, and UnidosUS. (2020). Students of Color Caught in the Homework Gap. Author. https://futureready.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/HomeworkGap_FINAL8.06.2020.pdf
Cybersecurity:
Klein, Alyson. (2020) Cyber Attacks on Schools Tripled in 2019, Report Finds.https://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/DigitalEducation/2020/03/cyber_attacks_on_schools_tripl.html
Newman, Lily Hay. (2020) Schools Already Struggled With Cybersecurity. Then Came Covid-19.https://www.wired.com/story/schools-already-struggled-cybersecurity-then-came-covid-19/
E-rate, et al:
Funds for Learning. (2020) E-rate Trends Report. https://fundsforlearning.box.com/v/2020ErateTrends
Key stats:
*98% of E-rate applicants desire support for cybersecurity (pg20)
*95% of E-rate applicants describe the E-rate funding process as vital to their school district’s Internet needs. (pg15)
*90% of E-rate applicants describe insufficient home Internet access (“homework gap”) as a significant issue in their community.
Sheryl Abshire, Ph.D., is the recently retired chief technology officer (CTO) for Calcasieu Parish Public Schools in Louisiana. A longtime transformational technology innovation and integration expert, she has led the infusion of technology into curriculum for districts and states in the U.S. and internationally. Abshire has been a teacher, principal, library/media specialist, CTO and associate professor. She’s also an accomplished grant writer, trainer and reviewer for the National Science Foundation (NSF). A founding member of ISTE NETS/ISTE Standards and Accreditation Committee, she’s deeply involved in infusing technology into standards-based instruction. Abshire is an ISTE Certified Educator, and the first teacher inducted into the U.S. National Teachers’ Hall of Fame. She was appointed to the U.S. Department of Education’s Technical Writing Team to create the new National Educational Technology Plan; is a nationally recognized consultant, speaker and educator; and was appointed by the FCC to the USAC board representing the nation's schools/libraries on E-rate matters. As a sought-after speaker on educational and technology issues, she has presented and published nationally and internationally about funding, leadership, education and technology issues. ISTE awarded her the first Public Policy Advocate of the Year Award for her decades of work promoting educational technology. Additionally, she was honored with the prestigious ISTE Making It Happen Award. Abshire is the chair of the Louisiana CTO Council and former president and vice president of advocacy and programs for the Louisiana ISTE affiliate LACUE.
John Harrington is the Chief Executive Officer of Funds For Learning, a leading E-rate consulting firm. Since 1997, Mr. Harrington and his firm have helped schools and libraries apply for $3.5 billion in E-rate funding. Funds For Learning has supported E-rate applicants in all 50 states, and currently serves 4.6 million students at 10,000 sites across America. Mr. Harrington also volunteers on several education-related Boards.
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