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Education Technology State Grants
Local activities supported by these grants include continuing professional development programs and public-private partnerships focused on the integration of technology in schools.
Activities also include: the use of new or existing technologies to improve academic achievement; the acquisition of curricula that integrate technology and are designed to meet challenging State academic standards; the use of technology to increase parental involvement in schools and the use of technology to collect, manage, and analyze data to enhance teaching and school improvement efforts.
The Department of Education ensures equal access to education and promotes educational excellence through coordination, management and accountability in Federal education programs. The Department works to supplement and complement educational efforts on all levels, encouraging increased involvement by the public, parents and students.
Program Accomplishments
This program is designed to improve student academic achievement through the use of technology in elementary and secondary schools. It is also designed to assist every student - regardless of race, ethnicity, income, geographical location, or disability - in becoming technologically literate by the end of eighth grade. The program will facilitate the effective integration of technology resources and systems with professional development and curriculum development, resulting in research-based instructional methods that can be widely replicated.
Uses and Use Restrictions
At least 95 percent of awards to SEAs must be used to make subgrants to LEAs.
Half of the subgrant funds (the 95 percent) must be used for formula awards to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) that receive funds under Title I, Part A.
The remaining one-half provides competitive awards to eligible local entities (see benificiary eligibility).
In the U. S. Department of Education fiscal year (FY) 2006 appropriations bill, Congress also included language overriding this statutory provision and included language that provides SEAs with the flexibility to reserve up to 100 percent of their allocations for competitive awards to eligible entities.
These provisions continue to apply under the FY 2008 appropriation.
Each LEA and eligible entity receiving funds under this program must use at least 25 percent of its funds to provide professional development; the remaining funds must be used carry out other activities consistent with the purposes of the program and the district's local technology plan.
This program is subject to non-supplanting requirements and must use a restricted indirect cost rate which is referenced under 34 CFR 76.564- 76.569.
For assistance call the Office of the Chief Financial Officer/ Indirect Cost Group on (202) 708-7770.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
State educational agencies (SEA).
Beneficiary Eligibility
Elementary and secondary schools, students, and teachers will benefit.
Credentials/Documentation
None.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Applications are distributed to the Chief State School Officer for all eligible SEAs.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
States have two options for applying for funds under this program. Option 1: An SEA may submit an individual program application that includes a new or updated statewide long-range strategic educational technology plan that considers the educational technology needs of LEAs in the State, and an application that addresses the following topics: (1) strategies for improving academic achievement; (2) goals using advanced technology to improve student academic achievement, aligned with challenging State standards; 3) steps to increase accessibility to technology; (4) accountability measures; (5) innovative instruction delivery strategies; (6) an assurance that financial resources provided under the Educational Technology program will supplement, and not supplant, State and local funds; (7) professional and curricular development; 8) a description of how the SEA will provide technical assistance to applicants seeking Ed Tech funds; (9) a description of technology resources and systems that the State will provide; 10)strategies for financing technology; (11) strategies for parental involvement; 12) competitive grant process description; 13) integration of technology with curricula and instruction; 14) teacher incentives; and 14) a description of how public and private entities will participate in the implementation and support of the plan. Option 2: States may apply for funds through a consolidated application, as provided for in ESEA Sec. 9301. Through a consolidated application, a State will not submit all of the information required for individual Educational Technology applications, but will submit only "descriptions, information, assurances, . . . and other materials that are absolutely necessssary for the consideration of the consolidated State plan or consolidated State application" (ESEA Section 9302(b)(3)). The specific information that an SEA must include in a consolidated application that incorporates the Educational Technology program was detailed in the consolidated State application documents the Department published in the Federal Register.
Award Procedures
None.
Deadlines
Contact the program office for information on deadlines.
Authorization
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, Title II, Part D, Subparts 1 and 2.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
120 days from receipt of application.
Appeals
The Secretary shall not disapprove a State technology plan or State application, before offering the State an opportunity to revise the plan and a hearing. (See 34 CFR 76.202.)
Renewals
SEAs shall annually report to the Secretary regarding progress in meeting State goals and plans. Items such as: (1) a proposal of State activities for the succeeding year; (2) a summary of the progress of LEAs in meeting local goals; and (3) a plan to increase student learning are required. Renewals are subject to the availability of resources.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Funds are allocated to States proportionate to their share under Part A of Title I of ESEA but with a minimum allocation to any State of one-half of one percent of the amount appropriated.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
None.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
As required by the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) for State-administered programs (34 CFR part 76).
Financial and performance reports are required annually.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
As required by EDGAR for State-Administered programs (34 CFR part 76). Generally, States and subgrantees must retain records related to grant funds and compliance for a period of five years.
Financial Information
Account Identification
91-1000-0-1-501.
Obigations
(Grants) FY 07 $272,250,000; FY 08 est $267,494,000; and FY 09 est $0.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
State awards range from the minimum $1,294,000 to $30,544,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
34 CFR 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
School Support and Technology Programs, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., FB6, Room 3E307, Washington, DC 20202. Contact: Enid Marshall. E-mail: enid.marshall@ed.gov. Telephone: (202) 708-9499.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
None.
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