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Technology Grant Opportunities
The Indiana Department of Education was recently awarded a $5.2 million competitive grant to design and implement a statewide longitudinal data system that will greatly enhance our collective ability to manage, analyze, and use educational data. The new system is expected to make data entry and retrieval much easier and more efficient for schools, the state, and researchers. In light of this exciting development, we felt that this was an opportune time to review the state of technology resources in Indiana. Technology is a critical tool to improve educational opportunities, learning, and achievement. Though technology funding over the past several years has been much less than what is needed, we must do all that we can to maximize our available resources. At the local level, funding for technology comes from a variety of sources, each with its own funding guidelines and participation requirements. Understandably, this can lead to some confusion. In an attempt to clarify and help schools maximize coordination of resources, the Department of Education produced the attached school technology funding matrix as a one-stop source of information. The principal sources of state funds are the 1) School Technology Plan Grant, the 2) School Technology Advancement Account, the 3) Common School Fund Educational Technology Program, and the 4) Capital Projects Fund. 1) School Technology Plan Grant (Indiana Code 20-20-13) – The current appropriation is $2.5 million for each year of the biennium. School corporations are placed into groups based on assessed valuation per pupil. School corporations that are members of the group eligible for funding during a particular year submit an application and must have a School Technology Plan, developed under IC 20-20-13-7, on file with the Department of Education. The deadline for applications is March 5, 2008, for Group 5 (Fiscal Year 2007-2008). It is the intent of the Indiana General Assembly that School Technology Plan Grant funds serve as many students as possible. The Department of Education and School Corporations share this responsibility. Indiana Code 20-20-13-18 provides that School Corporations must use Technology Plan Grants by funding uses that promote 1:1 computing infrastructure. The Technology Plan approved by the local School Board must specify how the school corporation will work toward providing a computer for every student (referred to as 1:1 computing). The Department strongly recommends that school corporations begin by providing a computer for every student in every high school English class and, then work to expand 1:1 access across all other areas as well. Indiana ACCESS guidelines, which apply to the Technology Plan Grant, include specifications based on commodity-priced hardware and open source software. School corporations have demonstrated that these concepts work. Until more comparably-priced options are available, the Department believes that schools should carefully consider these guidelines. In those cases where school corporations have made an informed decision to buy hardware and software that exceed the specifications, they may do so by using local funds to supplement Technology Grant Funds. Support is available to assist schools with any challenges related to the transition from familiar or previously used hardware and software. To clarify a related issue, the Department does not specify what furniture must be used for Indiana ACCESS or any other program. The only stipulations are that all furniture must meet applicable fire safety rules, and schools should consider flexible use of learning space and the need for teachers to observe students when selecting any furniture. 2) School Technology Advancement Account (Indiana Code 20-49-6) – Five million dollars are available annually for loans from the Common School Fund. School Corporations apply by submitting a petition to the State Board of Education. A School Technology Plan, developed under IC 20-20-13-7, must be on file with the Department of Education. The next deadline for applications is September 19, 2007. Indiana Code 20-49-6 provides that funds may be used to purchase computer hardware and software used primarily for student instruction and to develop and implement innovative technology projects. Applications that include more teacher computers than student computers likely will not be approved unless the School Corporation has made significant progress toward implementing 1:1 student computing and needs to “catch up” with teachers. Applications that include software used primarily for administrative purposes likely will not be approved. 3) Common School Fund Educational Technology Program (Indiana Code 20-49-4) – The amount available for loans depends on the available balance in the Common School Fund. Application is made by submitting a petition to the State Board of Education. A School Technology Plan, developed under IC 20-20-13-7, must be on file with the Department of Education. Loans typically are awarded twice a year. Indiana Code 20-49-4-5 provides that funds may be used for: (1) purchase, lease, or financing of educational technology equipment; (2) operation of the educational technology equipment; and (3) training of teachers in the use of the educational technology equipment. 4) Capital Projects Fund (Indiana Code 20-40-8) – Pursuant to a Capital Projects plan adopted under IC 20-46-6 and a School Technology Plan, developed under IC 20-20-13-7, a school corporation may use money in the Capital Projects Fund for technology-related expenditures specified in IC 20-40-8-13. Additional Resources & Questions The attached matrix includes information about other federal and state sources of funding. Copies of these materials are posted on the Office of Learning Resources website. Updated information will be posted as it becomes available. Related questions may be directed to the Office of Learning Resources at 1-800-527-4930.
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Indiana Department of Education |
