Funds For Learning’s 2025 E-rate Trends Report offers a clear snapshot of how schools and libraries view the federal connectivity program—and why they’re pushing for its next evolution. Drawing on a nationwide applicant survey and public funding data, the report shows near-universal confidence in E-rate’s role: 97.6% of respondents say the funding is vital to their mission, and most describe it as reliable year after year, crediting it with faster internet and stronger connectivity. Just as striking, 96.2% affirm the program remains affordable and cost-effective, reinforcing that E-rate continues to deliver strong value as digital learning demands grow. But the survey also makes plain that connectivity is no longer the only priority. Applicants increasingly point to the realities of running modern learning networks—where cybersecurity threats, the need for backup capacity, and ongoing electronic management and maintenance are central to keeping schools online. Many respondents therefore want eligibility expanded to cover the security and resiliency services that have become inseparable from broadband itself. Alongside these findings, Funds For Learning CEO John Harrington frames the Trends Report as more than a data exercise: it’s an annual leadership practice built on listening. By systematically gathering the experiences of district and library leaders, the organization aims to surface what’s working, what’s straining, and what’s coming next—so stakeholders can make smarter decisions and keep the program aligned to its purpose. Harrington argues that E-rate is ultimately about opportunity, not paperwork: connecting people, reducing barriers, and supporting learning in every community. Put together, the 2025 report reads as both validation and a call to action. E-rate remains the backbone of school and library connectivity, but applicants are signaling that the program must modernize to reflect today’s security-first, always-on environment. The message for policymakers and the edtech ecosystem is straightforward: keep the stable funding that schools depend on, and update the rules so E-rate can support the safe, resilient networks that digital learning now requires. Learn more.
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