E-Rate in Washington


E-Rate is the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism that provides discounts to most schools and libraries in the United States on their telecommunications and Internet access costs. These discounts are available on four key areas of service:

  1. Telecommunications Services
  2. Internet Access
  3. Internal Connections (Other than basic maintenance)
  4. Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections

The process that schools and libraries must follow when applying for E-Rate discounts is as follows:

  1. Preparing a technology plan
  2. Opening the competitive process (Form 470)
  3. Seeking discounts on eligible services (Form 471)
  4. Confirming the receipt of services (Form 486)
  5. Invoicing for services (Forms 472 and 474)

OSPI link to E-Rate Frequently Asked Questions

E-Rate Flowchart (PDF) - Created by Forrest Fisher, ESD 105

For more information on e-Rate and the specific instructions and forms for applying for e-Rate discounts, please go to the Universal Service Administrative Company’s web site at http://www.universalservice.org/sl/tools/required-forms.aspx.

A Featured Teacher

The Wax Museum

The Wax Museum

At Lewis and Clark Middle School in Yakima, WA several teachers met six years ago and decided that they would like to have a culminating project for 8th grade social studies classes. Thus the wax museum project was born. Eric Franz, a special education teacher and participant in the Peer Coaching program, has been the leader of this project since its inception.

Eric Franz
Yakima School District

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