For nearly three decades, the federal E-Rate program has helped schools and libraries secure the broadband infrastructure that makes modern education possible, including supporting instruction, assessments, student information systems, emergency communications, transportation and secure school networks.

Now, the future of this critical program is at stake.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched a sweeping review of E-Rate that raises fundamental questions about the program’s future, including whether its core connectivity mission has been fulfilled and whether the program should be limited or even sunset.

In response, ACSA and the California School Boards Association are strongly opposing any effort to narrow, weaken or eliminate E-Rate. Through the ACSA-CSBA Federal Partnership, both associations have submitted formal comments urging the FCC to preserve and strengthen the program. ACSA and CSBA are also coordinating with the AASA, The School Superintendents Association, the Small School Districts’ Association, and other education partners to amplify the voice of school leaders.

ACSA’s advocacy is focused on three priorities:

1. Preserve E-Rate as essential educational infrastructure. School communities continue to depend on reliable, secure and affordable broadband, Wi-Fi and internal network connections, particularly in rural and high-need communities.

2. Protect students while preserving local decision-making. Decisions about instruction, screen time, accommodations and technology use should remain with families, educators, administrators and locally elected school boards, not become new federal conditions for receiving E-Rate support.

3. Strengthen program integrity without adding unnecessary burdens. Oversight should be targeted and workable, without layering duplicative requirements onto school districts already subject to extensive procurement, financial and reporting rules.

School leaders now have an important opportunity to speak up. Here’s how to get involved:

Submit public comments to the FCC ­— Use ACSA’s template letter to share how E-Rate has supported your students and community.

Contact your representatives — Contact your members of Congress to reinforce the importance of continued federal investment in school connectivity.

The decisions made through this proceeding could reshape E-Rate for years to come. California school leaders need to be heard.