| The Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund makes discounts available to eligible schools and libraries for telecommunication services, Internet access, and internal connections. The program is intended to ensure that schools and libraries have access to affordable telecommunications and information services. For more information, see http://www.usac.org/sl/ The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) in conjunction with the Wyoming Department of Administration and Information (A&I) participates in the Schools & Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism, also known as the E-rate program. WDE and the Department of A&I have been participating in this program since the approval of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 which also aligned with the conception of the statewide network known as the Wyoming Equality Network (WEN). Each year a consortium application is completed by the WDE and the Department of A&I which acts as the administrative authority on behalf of the 48 districts as well as the Wyoming Boy's and Girl's Schools. Any funds received are administered by the WDE and the Department of A&I, assuring that monies are allocated to the appropriate districts and services benefit the 50 eligible entities in the State of Wyoming. This unique program benefits the entire state: its parents, students, teachers, administrators, and school staff. The key to its success is the unprecedented cooperation and collaboration between the districts, the Wyoming Equality Network, the Universal Service Support Mechanism, and especially the State of Wyoming's legislature, Department of Education, and the Department of Administration and Information. |