SLD Extends BEAR Deadlines by 30 days
Two weeks ago, the SLD established a separate "Deadlines" subsection in their Web site's Reference Area (see Reference Area) discussing service delivery, Form 486, and invoicing deadlines. At the time, we noted a possibility that the SLD might extend one class of deadlines.
The initial announcement set a deadline policy for invoices (applicant BEARs or service provider SPIs) to the later of 90 days after the last day of service or 90 days after the date of the Form 486 Notification Letter. The implication of this policy for most applicants was that BEARs for 2001-2002 recurring services would have been due no later than September 28, 2002. Recognizing that a September deadline might create undue time pressure on schools and libraries that are closed or on reduced work schedules in the summer, and that are unusually busy in September, the SLD extended all invoicing deadlines by 30 days. Updated information on the new invoicing deadlines is available at Invoicing Deadlines.
The FY 2001 BEAR deadline for most recurring services is now October 28, 2002. This deadline is still earlier than it has been for past years - so please be careful - but it is much better than a September deadline. We commend the SLD for quickly reassessing and extending the deadline.
The Excel workbook we developed to calculate various deadlines for FY 1999 (out-of-the-window awards only), FY 2001, and FY 2002, has been updated to reflect the extension and is available elsewhere on this web site (see Forms Rack).
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has launched a study to evaluate whether currently available filtering (or Internet blocking) technology protection measures and Internet safety policies adequately address the needs of educational institutions. This study was mandated by the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which also instructs the NTIA to make recommendations to Congress on how to foster the development of technology protection measures that meet these needs.
The NTIA has developed a series of questions that anyone involved in school technology is invited to answer, related to what kinds of technologies are currently being used, how open the process of filtering is, whether existing filtering technology meets the needs of educators for students at all age levels, and how Internet safety policies are being used. Schools which wish to participate in this study must submit their comments to NTIA by August 27. See NTIA CIPA Study.
Applicants are reminded that they must have an approved technology plan and be in compliance with CIPA before they begin receiving discounted services for FY 2002 (usually July 1, 2002). If a technology plan is not approved until September 1, for example, discounts for monthly Internet services would apply only to the last 10 months of the year. The key date is the start of services, not the date that an applicant files a Form 486 certifying plan approval and CIPA compliance.