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ExpectMore.govExpectMore.gov home pageEXPECT FEDERAL PROGRAMS TO PERFORM WELL, AND BETTER EVERY YEAR.
 
Program Assessment

Program

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Universal Service Fund E-Rate

The purpose of the program is to help ensure that the educational benefits of telecommunications services are provided to schools and libraries. The program provides discounts on these services in varying amounts based on demonstrated economic need.

Rating

What This Rating Means

NOT PERFORMING
Results Not Demonstrated

A rating of Results Not Demonstrated (RND) indicates that a program has not been able to develop acceptable performance goals or collect data to determine whether it is performing.
  • The program lacks measures and goals to assess performance. The program does not measure the impact of funding on telecommunications connectivity in schools and libraries or the effect of funds on educational objectives.
  • Program administration lacks sufficient Federal oversight. No memorandum of understanding exists between the Federal Communications Commission and the program's non-Federal Administrator, nor have measurable standards for program administration been established.
  • The program lacks rigorous financial management practices. The FCC has recently taken steps to ensure that funds are maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for Federal agencies. However, independent audits have revealed a lack of accountability for receipts of universal service funds among program beneficiaries.

Improvement Plan

About Improvement Plans

We are taking the following actions to improve the performance of the program:

  • Increasing financial oversight of the program through audits and investigations of the Fund.
  • Conducting a comprehensive review of the USF through the rulemaking process, including an examination of performance measures, management practices, program policies, administration, and oversight.

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