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- Parte de Records of the Office of the Chief of Staff (Clinton Administration), Karen Tramontano's Files
Extracted text
OCR Page 1 of 21ERATE
CONNECTING SCHOOLS TO THE INTERNET
Myth vs Reality
There are a series of arguments that opponents of the new E-Rate program make that are
more myth than fact. Here is the reality.
Myth:
We don't need the E-rate 80% of schools are already wired to the Internet.
Reality:
While 78% of schools have at least one Internet connection, too often that Internet
connection goes to the Administrator's office. The challenge is to bring Internet
connections to the classroom where learning takes place. Today however, only
27% of classrooms have an Internet connection. In poor and minority schools,
only 13% of classrooms have Internet access -- half the average.
The E-Rate program gives crucial discounts to schools and libraries, with the
steepest discounts going to the neediest communities. Through this tailored
program, the Administration is committed to helping ensure that all
children--regardless of race, income or geography--can have an equal chance to
learn and succeed.
Myth:
Phone bills are going up because of the E-rate.
Reality:
Long distance phone bills are now at their lowest point in history. The
telecommunications Act of 1996 created a unique opportunity to both lower
telecommunications prices and extend the benefits of the information age to all of
our nation's children. The cost to industry for support of the schools and libraries
program has been offset by reductions in access charges -- money that long
distance companies pay to connect to local telephone companies. In the last 11
months, access charge reductions to long distance companies have equaled $2.4
billion - more than offsetting the $2.02 billion in estimated demand for the
schools and library program.
Myth:
AT&T is charging consumers a 5% "Gore-Tax" to pay for the e-rate.
Reality:
AT&T does not have to charge consumers more. This is not a federally mandated
charge, but a choice that AT&T has made on its own.
But the fact is, this new 5% item on their bill is neither new nor just for the
Schools and Library Program. They say that the 5% surcharge is to "give schools
and libraries access to advanced services like the Internet." But in fact, about half
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