Obama E-Rate

--More action on E-Rate: Obama renewed his call to revamp the federal Internet subsidy for schools and libraries and said he has a “down payment” to connect more than 15,000 schools and 20 million students to high-speed broadband over the next two years without adding to the deficit. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler plans to help make that happen “by applying business-like management practices to E-Rate,” he told Pro Technology’s Brooks Boliek. But the roles of private companies Obama said would participate in the expansion of high-speed access: aren’t entirely clear: An industry representative described it as a “substantial financial commitment” but said it was aimed at providing training, support and tools rather than connectivity. More details will be announced soon at a White House event, the source said.

--E-Rate across the digital aisle: “We are proud to join President Obama in this historic initiative to transform America's schools,” Apple said in a statement. “Apple has a long history in education, and we have pledged to contribute MacBooks, iPads, software and our expertise to support the ConnectED.” Microsoft is all in, too: "We’ve heard the President’s challenge and will soon deepen the investment we’ve made in U.S. education. Stay tuned for more news.”