Blog 2

The schools and libraries program of the universal service fund or E-Rate is a federal program administered by the Universal Service Administered Company (USAC). Is the budget sufficient, when there is no federal budget the cost of the services falls on the school, not really, unless they apply for the program, which is difficult if they are not a high-risk school and receiving the funds from No-Child left behind. Professional development is provided by the Universal Service Administered Company , the librarian is in charge of coordinating the program and the funds (at least where I work). The professional development dates are p[osted on the site, located and available to specific states at a specific time, at least that was my understanding, from the site and the librarian I chased down to speak to about this program. Through audits the use of the funds are ensured, the system requirements; computer, speakers and phones need to be provided by the school. To be eligible for the program the school needs to be under state law, public or private, operate as non-profit business and can not have an endowment exceeding $50 million. The assessment of the telecommunication services, hardware and other services, occur with the documentation. The location of the equipment must be kept updated, listings of the model, location, installation date and the identification number. The equipment must work and be using the services provided and paid for, in most cases by the Universal Service Administered Company. Precautions are kept in place by permission slips signed by the student and parent, saying that not only can the student use the service (internet, computers and software) but will not commit misuse of the services. If so they are to removed and disallowed use of the services, the same is asked of the teachers, by the monitoring of the websites that are visited on the educators desk or lab top.