Re: us-nd-digest V3 #3

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> 
> >        * Should there be an "E-rate" for schools and libraries?
> 
I see this as the only way many schools can afford internet and email
access. With limited funds available we are forced to prioritize the
programs that we expend money on. However, I also believe that there should
be various levels of service provided. I'm at a K-5 elementary site. We
have a UUCP mail system which allows all students to have an email account.
The UUCP connect has been provided free by a local provider. In addition,
this provider has given us web space. We, on the other hand, do pay for web
access. We also encourage our parents, who desire connections, to use
Quiknet, our provider. Currently, we only have one account for web access.
I don't have the funds available to provide more that that to the entire
staff. 

I've often thought that we could somehow offer a trade for web access. For
example, and I'm not sure of all the logistics here, etc., we could provide
the space where a provider could have a group of community lines and modems
sitting for the community to tie into. In return, we could have access to
one or more connections (particularly one ISDN line to the school site. I
wonder if there are other ways we could support the providers in exchange
for their services. 
> 
> >        * Should there be a requirement for state-approved
> >                technology plans?

I don't believe that a full-blown plan should be in place for individual
schools requesting services. However, schools should be able to write up a
simplified plan that shows how they plan on using the connections
justifying web access and/or email access. What I have found is that there
are only so many ways these services can be used and so many ways you can
write up a plan. Districts, on the other hand, should be able to
substantiate how they are going to use the services and how they can
adequatly service all their schools with an internet connection. As a
result, if a district applyies for services they should have a more
detailed plan in place.
> 
> >        * Should Universal Service subsidies apply to groups
> >                which provide materials and services to schools
> >                and libraries as well as to the schools and
> >                libraries themselves?
> 
> No, I don't think so.  Even though many of these organizations are
> not-for-profits, they have the ability to raise revenue that can support
> the development of their own technological infrastructures.  Our priority
> should be connecting schools and public libraries to ensure community
> access to networking resources.

I would agree with this.

>      Many libraries are providing e-mail access for the homeless.  It is 
>      possible to use schools (after hours) and community centers for 
>      providing email access.  Washington State and New York City are 
>      examples of communities that are providing public access through 
>      libraries.  Homeless person have as much right as anyone else to use

>      PUBLIC facilities.  

I would questions providing this service through our K-12 public school
sites. These campuses need to be somewhat secure for the safety of the
students. However, I would be a proponent of havin access available to the
school community and the families that the school serves. Schools can also
serve as satellites for local colleges, etc. which could make use of these
connections. 




> >Betty Hamilton, LRS    bhamilt@tenet.edu  said:
> >I happen to enjoy text-only because I find it efficient for mail
> >management and moderating educational discussion groups on Tenet.
> >I also understand that text-only is not *glamourous* enough to get
> >much attention from beginners.

I feel there should be different levels of service available and a way to
setup creative service agreements. Most of the schools in our county
connect to the county office of education through high-speed lines. With
internet provided to the county this can then be served out to the
districts who would serve out to their individual schools. 

To insure all students have access, one school might use a UUCP-style
connection while others might use a full connection. Needs should drive the
type of connection.

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