ゴア副大統領(当時)の未来教育とE-Rate関係

米国のアル・ゴア副大統領(Vice President Al Gore/当時/大統領選落選後はColumbia University's Graduate School of Journalism in New Yorkの先生)が1998年6月8日に発表した21世紀に向けた教育とe-rateについてのコメントが公表された。ただし、FCC(Federal Communication Commission/米国連邦通信委員会)は、1998年6月12日に米国の学校と図書館に安価なインターネット環境を提供するプロジェクトの予算を42%切り下げが採決され、2000年までにすべての学校をインターネットで結ぶというE-Rate Fact Sheetの目標に大きな打撃を与えた。詳細情報はURL(http://www.fcc.gov/Speeches/Ness/spsn812.html)で知ることができる。10年前には、ほとんどの学校の教室には電話線が引かれていなかったが、1998年1月にテレコミュニケーション・サービスのためとして1ヶ月あたりUS$130億の資金が提供され、2001年の時点で、公立学校中のすべての教室の87%(少数のマイノリティ教室では81%)がンターネットアクセス環境を確保し、2002年の時点では、すべての公立図書館の約95%がンターネットアクセス環境を提供するようになっているが、同時に嘘の報告も多くなっていることから、2004年6月17日にThe Committee on Energy and CommerceのチェアーマンJoe Bartonが公聴会「Problems with the E-rate Program: Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Concerns in the Wiring of Our Nation's Schools to the Internet(E-RATEプログラムに関する問題:国家による学校へのインターネット配線における浪費、不正行為および乱用関係)」を開いた。詳細情報はURL(http://energycommerce.house.gov/108/Hearings/06172004hearing1291/hearing.htm)で知ることができる。FCCは2004年8月4日に、公立学校の99%および公立学校教室の92%がインターネットに接続され、今後もE-Rateプログラムを保護する目的で、9項目の要求を提出した。詳細情報はURL(http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-250540A1.pdf)で知ることができる。FCCは2004年11月23日に、E-RATE PROGRAMの新規予算US$2420万の情報を公開し、募集を開始した。詳細情報は URL(http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-254540A1.pdf)で知ることができる。米国のGAO(General Accounting Office/米国連邦会計監査院)は2004年12月10日に、教育の付加的案技術協力に関するレポート「No Child Left Behind Act: Education Needs to Provide Additional Technical Assistance and Conduct Implementation Studies for School Choice Provision. GAO-05-7」を公開した。詳細情報はURL(http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-7)で知ることができる。米国のGAO(General Accounting Office/米国連邦会計監査院)は2005年10月28日に、教育のデータ管理に関するレポート「Education's Data Management Initiative: Significant Progress Made, but Better Planning Needed to Accomplish Project Goals. GAO-06-6」を公開した。米国のGAOは2005年11月21日に、子供の保護と教育に関して、教育情報へのアクセスしやすさの改善と先生資格取得要求実行支援のレポート「No Child Left Behind Act: Improvements Needed in Education's Process for Tracking States' Implementation of Key Provisions. GAO-04-734」を公開した。詳細情報はURL(http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-6)で知ることができる。米国のDoE(U.S, Depatment of Education/教育省)のNCES(National Center for Education Statistica)は2006年3月23日に、米国のSASS(The Schools and Staffing Survey/学校の現状)として、学校、地区、教師、校長、および学校図書館の特性について2003-04年の学校を調査したレポート「Characteristics of Schools, Districts, Teachers, Principals, and School Libraries in the United States: 2003-04 Schools and Staffing Survey」を公開した。詳細情報はURL(http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2006/2006313.pdf)または、URL(http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2006313)で知ることができる。米国のGAOは2006年7月26日に、教育支援に関する学生の進歩を測定レポート「 No Child Left Behind Act: Assistance from Education Could Help States Better Measure Progress of Students with Limited English Proficiency. GAO-06-815」を公開した。詳細情報はURL(http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-815)で知ることができる。

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'Every child in America deserves a 21st Century education and access to 21st Century technology. The e-rate is critical to our effort to put computers in every classroom and library, giving every child the tools to succeed.

But some in industry and in the Congress would undermine this program, and hold our children back. That's the wrong approach for America's future.

Let me be clear: I strongly oppose any effort to pull the plug on the e-rate and deny our children the full promise of the Information Age. I call on both Congress and industry to put all politics aside and work with us to put 21st Century educational technology in every classroom and library. Cutting off the e-rate would close the door to our children's future. That is something America simply cannot afford to do.'
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SECRETARY OF EDUCATION REBUTS GAO REPORT ON TELECOM

On June 8, Secretary of Education Richard Riley sent a letter to the General Accounting Office responding to the GAO assertion in its May 7 report to Congress that 40 programs funded at more than $10 billion support acquisition of telecommunications technologies for schools and libraries. Secretary Riley noted that of the $8.2 billion identified from Department of Education programs, 'only about $590 million is available specifically for education technology-related programs, and that only a very small percentage of that amount is used to support telecommunications.'
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PRESS REPORTS INDICATE THREATS TO E-RATE STILL STRONG

Many press reports continue to emphasize strong congressional criticism and consumer displeasure over raised phone rates. Others express support of connecting schools and libraries. Some have reported discussion of other methods of funding the e-rate such as use of the telephone excise tax. The most recent press reports indicate that House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA), in a speech at a trade show, indicated his intent to lead an effort roll back the 'Gore tax.'

Escalating the political rhetoric by calling the e-rate the 'Gore tax' follows the theme of the 'Time' magazine article This follows along on the TIME magazine article of May 25 with the same theme <'Gore's Costly High-Wire Act,' by K. Tumulty and J.F. Dickerson. Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh has further escalated the political flavor of the debate by also calling this the 'Gore tax.' Thus much of the furor is highly partisan and political. The so-called 'Gore tax' has become a campaign issue for this fall's congressional election and as the parties look ahead to the next presidential election.
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ACTION NEEDED: TURN UP THE VOLUME!

To make school kids and library users the losers in a partisan wrangle is downright shameful. It's time to say so -- loudly and in great volume. The 30,000 libraries and school that have gone through the detailed application process are not out for freebies, but have responsibly relied on congressional laws and agency rules. They should not be denied the ability to provide to students and the public the valuable learning tools and information resources available only online.

Send these messages to the FCC at 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) and to Congress (202-224-3121) from as many libraries and schools as have applied for the discounts. Volume counts. Messages are needed this week!

1. PROVIDE DETAILS ON YOUR OWN PLANNED USE OF DISCOUNTS.
2. DON'T CUT FUNDING FOR THESE DISCOUNTS.
3. KEEP ALL ELIGIBLE AND NECESSARY SERVICES IN PLACE.
4. KEEP THE E-RATE MOVING FORWARD.
5. URGE YOUR LEGISLATORS TO SPEAK UP PUBLICLY AND TO SIGN JOINT
LETTERS IN SUPPORT OF THE E-RATE.
6. DON'T HOLD SCHOOL KIDS AND LIBRARY USERS HOSTAGE TO POLITICS!

Thanks for your help at this critical time.