Funds for Learning releases 2012 Survey of E-rate Applicants

Funds For Learning has announced the release of the survey results from its nationwide survey of E-rate applicants. In its new whitepaper, “2012 Survey of E-rate Applicants,” Funds For Learning underscores the respondents’ reliance on the E-rate program and their priorities as the program moves forward.

The majority of respondents indicated that the E-rate program was crucial to their success, and also expressed their desire for the FCC to focus on increasing the amount of Erate funding.

“The results clearly show that schools rely on E-rate funding for Internet access and telecommunications,” said Cathy Cruzan, president of Funds For Learning. “The majority of respondents expressed concern over the lack of adequate funding for the program.”

Key survey findings addressed in the whitepaper include:

• Ninety-four percent of respondents indicated that E-rate funding is critical for the success of their school.
• Forty-two percent of respondents cited wireless access as the highest priority amongst a choice of popular technology initiatives.
• Fifty-eight percent of respondents indicated that increasing the amount of E-rate funding is very important.

“Internet access and advanced telecommunications currently play a critical role in classrooms across the nation, and we expect that trend to continue,” said Brian Stephens, senior technology and regulatory analyst at Funds For Learning. “The feedback we received through the survey emphasizes the need for an increase in the annual E-rate funding cap. It also provides vital information which helps us further our E-rate stakeholder advocacy efforts.”

Click here to download the whitepaper for free.