FCC Chairman Brendan Carr released a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would initiate a review of the E-Rate program. If adopted at the Commission’s June 2025 Open Meeting, the NPRM would seek comment on actions aiming to ensure the E-Rate program advances student learning outcomes and to protect the online safety of children when using E-Rate-funded networks and services. The Commission would also request comment on whether its current interpretation of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) is the best reading of the statute and whether existing CIPA requirements sufficiently protect children from inappropriate and harmful content when using school and library computers. The NPRM would also seek comment on potential legal and policy considerations for assessing children’s screen time and involving parents, guardians, and teachers in decision-making regarding children’s access to E-Rate-funded networks and services.
Chairman Carr also shared a draft Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM), which proposes increase E-Rate program oversight and streamline administrative processes, including establishing a June 30th deadline for submitting FCC Form 473.
