Children's Internet Protection Act The success of the E-rate program, also referred to as universal service, has helped to connect most of the nation's schools to the Internet. Recent legislation impacts this support, which is offered as discounted rates for Internet connectivity. The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) amends the earlier Communications Act of 1934 and will require schools and libraries receiving E-rate funds to incorporate technology-based solutions to block access to material defined as obscene, pornographic, or harmful to minors. The act is sometimes called the "Filtering Mandate." Initially, this act requires schools and libraries that receive funding under the fourth round of E-rate allocations to certify to the Federal Communications Commission that they have complied with CIPA by installing a technology-based solution to block material as outlined in the act. The first certification deadline is October 28, 2001. Educators should follow the actions of the Federal Communications Commission, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Institute for Museum and Library Services for interpretive guidance for entitities that have received E-rate allocations during the first three rounds or that renew their E-rate funding allocations. The Legislation CIPA was passed at the end of 2000. It is not yet clear how this act will impact schools and libraries that received E-rate funding during the first three rounds. For further information, you may view highlights of the legislation as they pertain to educational technology use in schools read "Compliance with CIPA: The Federal Filtering Mandate" prepared by the Consortium for School Networking (and visit their site for the most current reactions to the legislation) follow the actions of this legislation and read the full text from Thomas Legislative Information on the Internet