Learning Technology Grant, 2004-05


ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, SECONDARY AND CONTINUING EDUCATION

Learning Technology Grant for Enhancing Teaching and Learning
Commissioner's Regulations Section 144.8

2004-2005

Grant Application Checklist and Forms

Questions & Answers
(Posted 10/4/04; Updated 10/18/04)

Proposal Evaluation Rubric
(Posted 10/6/04)

Due Date: November 5, 2004 - no later than 3 p.m.

The following are instructions for applying for a 2004-05 Learning Technology Grant. The purpose of this grant program is to improve student academic performance in relation to the New York State learning standards with a particular focus on mathematics Pre-K-12 and English Language Arts (ELA) including early literacy, through the integration of educational technology in classroom activities. The State Education Department encourages coordination across all federal and State educational programs including Model Schools, Teacher Resource and Computer Training Centers, Special Education Training and Resource Centers, and Bilingual Educational Technical Assistance Centers.

While only public school districts and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) are eligible to apply for funds, State legislation requires applicants to include nonpublic schools of all denominations within district or BOCES boundaries (which also includes nonsectarian private schools) as substantial and equitable partners in technology acquisition and activities outlined in the program.

Questions regarding this application can be emailed to the contacts listed below. All questions and answers will be posted here.

SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO:	New York State Education Department Grants Management Room 876 EBA Albany, New York 12234
SED CONTACTS:	New York City: Ken Chieu (718) 722-2778 emscltg@mail.nysed.gov Rest of State: Constance Centrello (518) 474-5922 emscltg@mail.nysed.gov
DUE DATE:	November 5, 2004 no later than 3 p.m. (Faxes will not be accepted.)
NUMBER OF COPIES:	One (1) original and three (3) copies

The State Education Department does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, religion, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, race gender, or genetic predisposition or carrier status, or sexual orientation in its educational programs, services and activities. Portions of any publication designed for distribution can be made available in a variety of formats, including Braille, large print or audiotape, upon request. Inquiries regarding this policy of nondiscrimination should be directed to the Department’s Office for Diversity, Ethics, and Access, Room 152, Education Building, Albany, NY 12234. Requests for publications should be made to the Department’s Publication Sales Desk, Room 309 Education Building, Albany, NY 12234.

Program Guidelines

Legislative and Regulation Summary:

Funds are appropriated for school districts and BOCES to offer learning technology programs approved by the Commissioner of Education. Commissioner’s Regulations, Section 144.8, supports this program. Learning technology programs involve training and the use of learning technologies to enhance classroom instruction, curriculum, assessment, and restructuring of the teaching and learning process.

Learning technologies include:

Information delivery systems or services used to provide distance learning.
Interactive telecommunications, including equipment and services.
Computer technology integrated into classroom instruction.
Networking among schools, including network equipment.
Multi-media equipment and data storage.
Services to access the Internet.
Education related materials, services and software.

Program Priorities:

To improve student academic performance in mathematics (preK-12) and ELA, including early literacy.
To use technology in the classroom, not in computer labs.
To include SURR (Schools Under Registration Review) or SINI (Schools in Need of Improvement) school buildings in the application.
To consult with all nonpublic schools within the geographic area served by the applicant district or BOCES or consortium thereof.
To coordinate activities with other federal and State educational programs (e.g., E-rate).

Program Requirements:

45 percent of the project budget must be used for high quality professional development, including mentoring and/or in-classroom coaching of teachers, to support instruction using technology.
No more than 5 percent of the funds may be used for program administration.
No more than 5 percent of the funds may be used for evaluation.
No more than 45 percent of the funds may be used for equipment (e.g., computers, PDA, smart boards, alpha smarts, etc.).
Budgets cannot exceed $50,000 for one year.

Purpose:

The New York State Learning Technology Grant Program promotes collaboration between public school districts and BOCES and nonpublic schools of all denominations to:

Increase the use of learning technology to improve student academic performance in relation to the New York State learning standards, key ideas and performance indicators in grades pre-kindergarten through 12, with a particular focus on mathematics pre-K-12 and English Language Arts, including early literacy;

Provide high quality professional development focused on increasing a teacher’s knowledge and skills in the use of learning technology to help students attain higher levels of performance in relation to New York State learning standards;

Provide ongoing support for students to become technologically literate by 8^th grade;

Make use of recognized model programs that are based on research and have shown promise of significantly increasing student academic achievement. For further information on researched based programs see the Department's EMSC web site at: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/deputy/nclb/nclbhome.htm and click on Links and Resources.

While a wide range of technologies may assist with instruction, the key to improving student academic achievement is a qualified teacher. Grant recipients must provide high quality professional development on the integration of technologies, including emerging technologies, into curricula and instruction and use these technologies to create new learning environments. For this reason, at least 45 percent of the project budget must be devoted to delivery of professional development activities, including mentoring and/or in-classroom coaching of teachers. To improve teaching and student outcomes, monies from this grant may be used to provide standards-based Peer Review training.

Eligibility:

Only public school districts, including New York City regions, BOCES and consortiums thereof are eligible to serve as grant recipients. Nonpublic schools of all denominations within the area served by the applicant must have the opportunity to participate. All applicants must include at least one SURR or SINI school building in the application.

Project Period:

July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005. No extension or carryover of funds is allowed. Applications that are received after the deadline, or do not include a SINI or SURR building will not be reviewed. See page 6 for a complete checklist.

Application Submission:

Submit one (1) original and three (3) copies of the complete application including the budget form FS-10.

The original signature of the Superintendent or District Superintendent must be on the FS-10 and the Statement of Assurances in blue ink. New York City CSD applicants must get the Local Instructional Superintendent Signature.

Final Reports:

Please submit a 3 to 5 page summary of completed project activities by July 31, 2005. All districts and BOCES other than New York City should send this summary to Connie Centrello’s Office of Curriculum and Support Services NYSED, Room 320 EB, Albany, NY 12234. New York City schools should forward final reports to Ken Chieu’s Office of NYC School and Community Services, 55 Hanson Place, Room 482, Brooklyn, NY 11217.

Proposal Narrative and Rating Criteria:

The proposal narrative must include and will be reviewed in accordance with the following criteria. It must not exceed 14 pages, not including the completed FS-10.

Project Abstract (Cover Page)
Please include a one-half page description that includes applicant’s background, purpose and objectives on the application cover page.

Proposal Narrative and Rating Criteria

Points

1. Description of the Applicant’s Needs:

(a) Provide a clear statement indicating the ELA including early literacy and/or mathematics PreK-12 and technology needs to be addressed in this grant.

(b) Indicate the steps taken to assess the needs for all grant participants including non-public school participants. Use relevant data, including data from the New York State Report Card.

Note: Identify the SURR and/or SINI school building that will be participating in the grant on both the application checklist and the participating school data form.

2. Objectives:

List clear, realistic, measurable objectives that address the academic and technology needs identified above and link them to student attainment of State learning standards, key ideas and performance indicators.

3. Project Activities, Outline and Timeline:

(a) List activities, methods or strategies that will be conducted to achieve the applicant’s stated objectives. Include a timeline. Activities must be based on research relevant to student attainment of State learning standards.

(b) Indicate how technology is employed to improve classroom instruction rather than placed in computer labs.

4. Collaborative Planning and Involvement of Nonpublic Schools:

(a) Describe the process followed to consult with nonpublic schools of all denominations and nonsectarian private schools in the service area. List the schools contacted.

(b) Describe how nonpublic schools have participated in the planning of this proposal.

(c) Describe how participating nonpublic schools will be full partners in the acquisition of equipment, software and the professional development components of this project. Include numbers to show equitable participation.

5. Professional Development:

(a) Describe how the planned professional development program will help teachers to integrate technology into curriculum and classroom instruction.

(b) Describe how the planned professional development will be sustained over time, and how it is linked to the needs, objectives and activities listed above.

(c) Describe how the integration of technology into the classroom will be supported through in-classroom coaching, mentoring, or peer demonstration.

(d) Describe how the professional development will build the capacity of teachers to make use of web-based content, tools and resources to enhance classroom instruction.

6. Project Evaluation:

(a) List clear, realistic and measurable objectives that will determine the impact of this proposal on teachers’ capacity to integrate educational technologies into classroom instruction.

(b) Describe how each activity is expected to contribute to student academic achievement of the New York State learning standards.

7. Budget and Budget Narrative: Resource allocations must be clarified in a budget narrative as well as detailed in the FS-10 budget.

(a) Equipment expenditures may not exceed 45 percent of the total budget. Explain how the equipment will help achieve the objectives of the grant. Note that equipment with a unit cost of less than $1,000 and recorded in the supply code will still be considered as part of the 45 percent.

(b) At least 45 percent of the proposed grant must be allocated for professional development on effective uses of the technology for teaching and learning.

(d) A maximum of 5 percent of the budget may be spent on evaluation.

(e) Describe how funds from other sources will be used to supplement the grant funds requested.

8. Background and Experience of Project Staff:

(a) Describe Project staffing, including the number and type of positions.

(b) Indicate the amount of time each staff person will devote to project activities.

Method of Award:

Complete proposals will be reviewed by at least two reviewers and scored according to the point criteria indicated. An application must receive a final average score of 75 to be considered for funding. If not enough applications meet this minimum score, the Department reserves the right to lower the minimum score. If individual scores are more than 20 points apart, another reviewer will rate the application. The two scores closest in numeric value will be averaged and used to rank the application.

Proposals will be separated into two categories, those from New York City Public Schools and those from all other public school districts, BOCES and consortium thereof. As in previous years, $1.2 million will be set aside for New York City schools and $2.09 million will be set aside for the schools in the rest of the State.

SED will review the budgets and eliminate any items that are deemed unallowable or inappropriate including repairs, minor remodeling or construction in nonpublic schools.

Grant awards of up to $50,000 will be made. In the event that more than one application in New York City or in the rest of the State receives the same final average score, the applications will be ranked according to the following:

1^st highest number of nonpublic school partners
2^nd highest number of SURR and/or SINI school buildings served

Application Checklist and Forms (in Word)

7/27/04