Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2009

This federal grant program is:

1. intended to help school districts improve student achievement through the use of technology in their schools;

2. designed to assist students in becoming technologically literate by the end of eighth grade; and

3. encourages high-quality professional development that uses research-based instructional strategies to integrate technology effectively into the instruction.

School districts must have a long-range strategic technology plan on file that aligns with the Massachusetts recommended Local Technology Plan Guidelines.

http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/planning.html

1. Formula grant funds will be distributed only to school districts that receive funds under Part A of Title I.

2. School districts must have a long-range technology plan approved by the Department in order to be eligible for the funding.

3. School districts must be CIPA (Children's Internet Protection Act) compliant.

Funds received shall be used to supplement, not supplant, state and/or local funds that would otherwise be used for the proposed activities. At least 25% of the grant funds must be used for ongoing high-quality technology professional development for teachers, principals, administrators, and school library media personnel to further the use of technology in the classroom or library media centers. This may include payment for consultants, teacher substitutes, stipends, and materials for professional development. In addition, the following are acceptable expenditures but they should not be included as items identified for professional development: project coordination; purchase of hardware and software; program evaluation; dissemination; etc. Grant funds may not be used for space rental and food.

Other uses of grant funding may include:

1. using technology to collect, manage, and analyze data to inform and enhance teaching and school improvement efforts and allowing school districts to participate in the state data warehouse project;

2. using advanced technology to improve academic achievement and technology competency for all students and ensure that eighth grade students achieve technology competency requirements;

3. developing and using innovative strategies for delivering specialized or rigorous courses through the use of technology, including distance learning technologies, for students in areas that would not otherwise have access to such courses or curricula due to geographical isolation or insufficient resources and allowing school districts to participate on MassONE online professional development;

4. using technology effectively to increase communication with parents and promote parental involvement;

5. ensuring that all students and teachers have equitable access to advanced technology and are connected to the Internet; and

6. developing a process to evaluate the extent to which the funded activities are effective in integrating technology into the curricula and instruction, increasing the ability of teachers to teach, and enabling students to reach challenging state academic standards with technology.

•    Schedule C - Statement of Participation and Support (if appropriate)

To return to the NCLB web page, the Grant Application, and the Budget Workbook www.doe.mass.edu/nclb/grant, http://finance1.doe.mass.edu/grants/

• Budget Detail - Description of Line Item Information

When developing the proposal for this program, districts should refer to the following resources:

• Local Technology Plan Guidelines (School Years 2007-2008 through 2010-2011)
  http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/standards.html

•      Recommended PreK-12 Instructional Technology Standards
  http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/standards/itstand.pdf

• Educational Technology Resources for Grants
  http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/grants/resources.html