Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2008

The purpose of this federal grant program is to support school districts in planning, implementing, and evaluating effective projects that:

1. improve student academic achievement through the use of technology;

2. assist every student - regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, income, geographical location, or disability - in becoming technologically literate; and

3. provide high quality professional development that uses successful instructional strategies to integrate technology effectively into instruction.

Priority will be given to projects that focus on using a one-to-one computing environment (with a wireless laptop computer for every student) and appropriate technologies (particularly tools in the Department's online learning system, MassONE) to support the teaching and learning of the content of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks in middle/high school.

Priority will be given to projects that:

1. provide sustained and effective professional development activities to teachers in the use of one-to-one laptop computers to teach the content of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and apply it in the classroom;

2. include professional development activities on universally designed and assistive technologies so that teachers will be able to use the appropriate technologies to teach all students - regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, income, geographical location, or disability - to access the curriculum;

3. partner with higher education institutions, public or private organizations, and other districts that have demonstrated expertise in the selected content area; and

4. have been identified as high need districts that receive Title II-D Formula Grant awards (Fund Code: 160) of insufficient size to be effective.

1. Grant funds will be distributed to eligible high need school districts http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/grants/fy08/170_highneed.htmlor a collaborative partnership with a high need district.

2. To be eligible for funding, school districts must have received a letter approving their technology plan through June 30, 2008. The proposed project activities should align with the district's technology plan.

3. 3. School districts must have certified that they have complied with the Children's Internet Protection Act requirements. (If applicants have not done so, please contact bozols@doe.mass.edu for more information.)

4. School districts must engage in timely and meaningful consultation with appropriate private school officials during the design and development of programs and continue the consultation throughout the implementation of these programs. The consultation should begin during the development of the local grant proposal.

Pending appropriation, approximately $1 million will be awarded for this two-year grant program. Grant awards for the two years will not exceed the following amounts, which are based on student enrollment of the participating district(s).

Up to half of the total grant funds may be used for Year 1 activities. The Year 2 request will be the balance of the total request for the two years. If applicable, additional funding for private school participation will be awarded to the funded district that is the applicant.

• 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. This may include payment for consultants, teacher substitutes, stipends, and materials for professional development. Although the following are acceptable expenditures for awarded projects, they may not be included as items identified for professional development: project coordination; purchase of hardware and software; program evaluation; and dissemination. Grant funds may not be used for space rental and food.

• All budgets and budget descriptions must be aligned with the activities described in the proposal narrative and reflect any coordinated use of funds from other funding resources.

Upon Approval - 8/31/2008 Competitive for Year 1

9/1/2008 - 8/31/2009 Continuation for Year 2

(Subject to appropriation of adequate federal funds.)

Friday, June 29, 2007

Competitive proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the date due.

1. Prior to developing proposals for this program, districts should refer to the following items.

   1. FY2008 High Need Districts
      http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/grants/fy08/170_highneed.html.

   2. Technical Assistance Workshops:
      http://www.doe.mass.edu/conference/?ConferenceID=299

      1. Tuesday, May 22, 2007 10 a.m. to noon
         Springfield - Meline Kasparian Professional Development Center

      2. Thursday, May 24, 2007 10 a.m. to noon
         Malden - Massachusetts Department of Education

2. When developing proposals for this program, districts should refer to the following resources.

   1.    Scoring Rubric

   2.  Local Technology Plan Guidelines (School Year 2007-2008 through 2010-2011)

   3. Technology Self-Assessment Tool
      http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/standards/sa_tool.html

   4.  Recommended Criteria for Evaluating Instructional Technology Materials

   5. Massachusetts Recommended Criteria for Distance Learning Courses
      http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/news03/dl_letter.html

   6.  Assistive Technology Guide
      

   7. Massachusetts Technology Toolkit
      http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/toolkit/

Submit four (4) sets, each with an original signature of the Superintendent/ Executive Director. Mail to:

Nicole Fazio Cirino
Office of Instructional Technology
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148-5023