Is this the sort of thing I'm supposed to be doing (eventually)? If so,
should I start a list of sites to cruise for info? Thanks.

-----Original Message-----
From: School Information Technology Discussion
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Philip Hyjek
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2000 7:56 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: FW: TechInfoEd/Telecom Reports


NEW E-RATE FORMS AVAILABLE

Yesterday, the Schools and Libraries Division posted on it web site
information on and copies of the new forms for applicants that are
needed to receive discounts or reimbursements for approved e-rate
discounts.  These forms are now in use.  Older versions can be used for
the next week or so, but the SLD is urging applicants to use the new
form right away.  Very shortly, the SLD will see to it that these forms
can be completed online.  Recipients of year 3 funding commitments will
also receive these forms in the mail.

To date, the SLD has processes nearly all of the year 3 applications
and it expects to complete about 95 percent of its mailing of funding
notices by the end of June.  More than $.5 billion has been approved to
date.  The actual payments to service providers or reimbursements to
school and library applicants will be influenced by the type of invoice
initially returned.  The SLD needs to know wether the applicant is
getting the discounted service up front or if the service provider and
applicant choose to receive a reimbursement after the fact - in which
case, a form 472 or "BEAR" is submitted.  The latter form is used when
the discounts on services are already paid.  See:
www.sl.universalservice.org/

NEW CONDITION OF EDUCATION RELEASED

The Condition of Education, 2000 is an indicator report published by
NCES that summarizes the health of education, monitoring important
developments, and showing trends in major aspects of education.  The 65
indicators in this year's report examine relationships; shows changes
over time; compares or contrasts sub-populations, regions, or countries;
or assesses characteristics of students from different backgrounds and
types of schools.  For a copy, see:
http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2000062

MORE ON FCC DECISION ON ACCESS CHARGES

Yesterday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reduced
telephone access charges paid by long distance companies by $3.2
billion, the largest decrease ever adopted.  Access charges are the
prices long distance companies pay to local telephone companies for
access to their local phone network. Major long distance companies have
agreed to pass these savings onto consumers living in all areas of the
country, and have agreed to immediately eliminate monthly minimum usage
charges.  The new rules will continue to preserve support levels for the
e-rate program.  The new rule makes explicit that $650 million of
revenue from access charges will be used to support service to high-cost
customers.  Up to this point, these subsidies were hidden in interstate
access charges.  See: www.fcc.gov/