Division of School Improvement - Instructional Technology

Veteran readers will likely pick up on subtle changes to Newsline, as restructuring occurs within the Department in general and the Division of School Improvement in particular. The Instructional Technology section is now part of the Federal Programs unit and, as such, work has begun to facilitate more collaboration among the various state and federal program staffs and the integration of educational technology across these programs and related initiatives. This month’s IT Update includes such an example, featuring the fall Federal Programs Conference which now includes sessions on technology integration and professional development practices.

With restructuring efforts, come staffing changes. Effective this month, Rosalyn Wieberg moves to Educator Recruitment and Retention in the Division of Teacher Quality and Urban Education. The great news is this move reflects a promotion for Rosalyn and the opportunity for her to help integrate educational technology across divisions. The bad news is Instructional Technology’s loss of Rosalyn and her varied talents and skills. At this time, the section will not be replacing Rosalyn and we will sorely miss her work in editing and publishing Newsline.

Instructional Technology remains committed to Newsline and publishing issues of breadth and quality. With the loss of Rosalyn’s time and skills, the section is reassigning tasks and incorporating automated systems where possible to reduce some of the burden. It also seems appropriate at this time to conduct an assessment of current reader needs and interests. Please take the time to provide us with your feedback. While you are at it, wish Rosalyn the best in her new career. (She can be reached at her current email address.)

Deborah S. Sutton

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

Budgets / Grant Programs

Consolidated Federal Programs - Fall Conference deadline

The 2005 Federal Programs Conference is September 27-29, 2005 at Tan-Tar-A Resort, Osage Beach, Missouri. The registration deadline is September 9, 2005. The conference brochure containing the agenda, descriptions of sessions, and the registration form is on the Federal Programs webpage at http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/fedprog.

Federal programs coordinators, school administrators, and Title teachers are encouraged to attend. A pre-conference session on the evening of September 27 is planned for new federal programs coordinators and new administrators. Breakout sessions on September 28-29 will cover a variety of topics including school improvement, NCLB requirements, Migrant and ELL issues, nonpublic issues, preschools, parent involvement, effective integration of technology in instruction, and effective practices for reading and math instruction.

Federal Title II.D “Ed Tech” or “EETT” Program

Formula Grants – Up-to-date district allocations for the FY06 Title II.D formula grants are posted on the Financial Management web site at http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/fedprog/financialmanagement/05-06Allocations.htm.

Competitive Grants – In May, Newsline listed the competitive grants that were tentatively approved for 2005-06. With receipt of the grant award, which was slightly higher than projected, and transfers of some special education and Title II.D state set-aside funds, the final number of first-year grants was increased to 10. The list of “final” approved grants is posted on the IT website. See: http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/instrtech/federalfunded/TitleIID/index2.htm.

MOREnet Technology Network Program (TNP)

In August TNP districts should have received communication that describes the necessary 50 percent increase in user fees because of a reduction in the state’s FY06 appropriation. Questions about the FY06 TNP should be directed to Eric Nicklas (eric@more.net).

Technology Data Collection

Census of Technology

2005 – The full state summary report should be completed and posted online later this month. Following is a short list of some of the COT data collected in 2005:

Computers

·    Located in all school buildings

288,926

·    Located in classrooms

93%

·    Connected to the Internet

91%

Students per Computer

·    All computers

3.09

·    Modern/Internet-capable computers

3.66

·    Internet-connected computers

3.40

Technology Skills

·    8^th-graders with technological skills

90%

·    Teachers with intermediate or advanced technology skills

81%

·    Administrators with intermediate or advanced technology skills

91%

Routine Technology Usage - Principals

·    Produce presentations (PowerPoint, Web)

54%

·    Produce written products

79%

·    Use email

97%

·    Communicate (email) with peers, experts

93%

·    Communicate with parents and students

81%

·    Participate in online course(s)

11%

·    Conduct online research

78%

·    Manage student records (database mgt)

82%

·    Track student performance

80%

·    Assess student performance

71%

Routine Technology Usage - Teachers

·    Produce media presentations

48%

·    Produce written products

78%

·    Use email

92%

·    Communicate (email) with peers, experts

85%

·    Communicate with parents and students

72%

·    Participate in online course(s)

11%

·    Conduct online research

73%

·    Manage student records (database)

73%

·    Track student performance

75%

·    Assess student performance

70%

·    Deliver/present instruction

57%

·    Prepare lesson plan(s)

64%

Routine Technology Usage - Students

·    Produce media presentations

40%

·    Produce written products

59%

·    Use email

11%

·    Communicate (email) with peers, experts

20%

·    Communicate with parents and students

13%

·    Participate in online course(s)

2%

·    Conduct online research

53%

2006 – As explained in July and August, users will see few changes to the 2006 COT. One item was deleted, a professional development item was added to gather greater for PBDMI reporting, and a few items and the directions manual were revised for clarity. Mark-ups (text documents) of the surveys can be downloaded from the Instructional Technology website.

In response to requests, it is the intent to have the 2006 online core data entry screens active in February. This will allow districts an additional six to eight weeks to enter the data and have the surveys completed before MAP testing begins and school year ends.

   Core Data Workshops

In August and September, workshops are scheduled to provide assistance to district personnel who are new to Core Data reporting or who would like additional information about the data and/or program. Among other topics are changes and clarifications regarding federal programs. No registration is required. See: http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/coredata/CDworkshops0506.html.

Technology Planning

District plans due spring 2006 – Option of submitting one-year or three-year plans

In August, over 400 districts were informed of having new education technology plans due for state approval in spring 2006. With the Department in the process of developing a new state education technology plan, that is due for completion in 2006, districts will be afforded the option of either submitting a new long-range plan (as originally planned) or a one-year plan. The one-year option allows districts to submit “abbreviated” plans for 2006-2007 that are based on the currently approved plans and which grant districts more time to develop long-range plans that align with the new state plan.

Submitting new three-year plans –

·    Submission deadline date: Districts must submit plans by 4:00 p.m. (CT), March 1, 2006.

·    Submission process: Plans are to be submitted to the Instructional Technology section via email. The email should include two attached documents: contact information (complete and submit the top portion of the “District Technology Plan Review/Approval” cover page) and the new plan to be approved. (See guidelines for naming, formatting, and emailing documents.)

·    Plan requirements: At a minimum, new plans to be approved must cover the fiscal years 2006-07, 2007-08, and 2008-09. (Refer to the scoring guide for details on what should be addressed in a plan for it to score high enough for state approval.)

·    Review and approval process: Instructional Technology will forward district email to designated reviewers who will evaluate the plan attachments using the Department’s “Technology Plan Scoring Guide”. Reviewers include Missouri educators who agree to participate (in person or via videoconference) in a training workshop on March 15 and review their assigned plans by no later than 4:00 p.m. (CT), March 27. Upon receipt of the reviewers’ completed scoring guides, Instructional Technology will email districts with approval status information. Once a plan is approved, Instructional Technology will issue a signed copy of the approval letter via ground mail.

·    Approval deadline date: All plans must be approved by June 30, 2006, in order for districts to participate in the Technology Network and E-rate programs.

Submitting one-year plans –

·    Submission deadline date: Districts must submit extension plans by 4:00 p.m. (CT), January 13, 2006.

·    Submission process: Extension plans are to be submitted to the Instructional Technology section via email. The email should include two documents: contact information (complete and submit the top portion of the “District Technology Plan Review/Approval of ONE-YEAR EXTENSION” cover page) and the one-year plan. (See guidelines for naming, formatting, and emailing documents.)

·    Plan requirements: The one-year plan must detail plans for the period July 2006 through June 2007. The plan should iterate action plans of the district’s current, state-approved technology plan, indicate the current status of the action plan items, and either (1) extend the current action plan items to address the 2006-07 school year (noting any revisions), and/or (2) add new action items that need to be addressed, because of changes in the district, that most of the current plan’s items are met, or to address activities for an E-rate application the district plans to file for Funding Year 2006. (Refer to the scoring guide for details on what should be addressed in an extension plan.)

·    Review and approval process: Instructional Technology staff will review the extension plans and email district contacts with approval status information. Once a plan is approved, Instructional Technology will issue a signed copy of the approval letter via ground mail. Approval is only good for 2006-07, after which time districts must submit new plans for review and approval good for up to three years.

·    Approval deadline date: All plans must be approved by June 30, 2006, in order for districts to participate in the Technology Network and E-rate programs.

Emailing plans –

·    Naming convention for attachments: The contact cover page and the tech plan document must be named using the six digit county-district code of the submitting district followed by the name of the document and the year. No hyphens or punctuation marks are allowed. Example: for district 031-031 to submit its plan the document would be named 031031techplan06 and the cover sheet would be named 031031cover06.

·    Rules for formatting attachments: Documents should be saved in the Rich Text Format (RTF). Each page of the three-year or one-year extension plan should include footer or a header with the same naming convention (i.e., 031031techplan06) and a page number.

·    Address for emailing documents: Technology plans and contact cover pages must be submitted as RTF attachments to an email sent to webreplyimprtechplans@dese.mo.gov.

Development of a new State Plan <Reminder>

The Missouri Education Technology Strategic Plan provides Missouri policy makers and school districts with a blueprint to guide and facilitate state and local technology planning, funding, implementation, and evaluation. Instructional Technology and SuccessLink have partnered to oversee the development of the new state technology plan for 2006-2011. Planning efforts are organized around five technology focus areas (TFAs): 1) student learning, 2) teacher preparation and delivery of instruction, 3) administration/ data management/ communications, 4) distribution of resources, and 5) technical support and facilitated by the use of an interactive website. The goal is to have the new plan completed for presentation to the State Board in May or June of 2006.

While there is a small oversight committee addressing each TFA, the use of technology will provide ample opportunity for all key stakeholders to participate in the planning process. The Missouri Education Technology Strategic Plan website (http://www.successlink.us/motechplan/) allows Missouri educators and other interested parties to review the work of the planning teams and provide input and feedback into the development of the next five-year plan. It is a place where colleagues can communicate and collaborate with one another as they look into the future and develop effective, long-range strategies for enhancing education through technology.

Site registration is free and any and all interested parties are encouraged to register so they can participate fully in the development of the new plan. Non-registered users can go to the website and provide immediate feedback to any article by typing in the Comment Box below the “article”. Articles are categorized by the five different TFAs and can be accessed by using the menu on the left side of the screen. Registered members can submit articles for review by the TFA committee, participate in discussion board forums, and receive newsletters that might occasionally be sent out by various teams or sub-committees. Users can create free accounts by clicking the "create account" link in the lower-left of the screen. Once logged into the system, users can edit their account details by clicking on "Your Details" in the User Menu located in the lower left-hand corner, below the Main Menu. (These details on how to participate and who to contact with questions are provided on the METSP website.)

E-RATE PROGRAM

Funding News

Year 2004 – On September 1, the SLD issued Wave 31 of funding commitment decision letters, committing over $16.5 million two letters to school and library applicants. Funding for this wave included funding for PRIORITY ONE (telecommunications services and Internet access) and for PRIORITY TWO (internal connections) at the 81% and above discount level. To date, the SLD has committed over $2.296 billion in over 32,300 letters. For more information on FY2004 funding, see: http://www.sl.universalservice.org/funding/y2004/waves/default.asp.

Year 2005 – On September 1, the SLD issued Wave 10 of funding commitment decision letters for Funding Year 2005 that provides support for services delivered from July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006. In this wave, the SLD committed over $31.4 million in 601 letters to school and library applicants. The funding associated with this wave includes funding for PRIORITY ONE (telecommunications services and Internet access) services ONLY. To date, the SLD has committed over $577.8million in more than 13,700 letters. The SLD plans to issue waves every other week until the process is complete. Those eligible for discounts below the 81% level are being advised their requests for internal connections must be denied due to insufficient funds. For more information, see: http://www.sl.universalservice.org/funding/y2005/waves/default.asp.

Online Survey

The State E-rate Coordinators Alliance (SECA) has developed an online survey to develop a broad base of information on the E-rate program’s impact and operation. SECA urges all districts and schools who have benefited from the program to complete the survey which consists of 28 questions and is estimated to take about 10-15 minutes. Please complete the survey by 8:00 p.m. EST, Wednesday, September 7. Go to: http://www.zoomerang.com/recipient/survey-intro.zgi?p=WEB224KB8TD3EW.

Workshops

MOREnet plans to host six to eight E-rate workshops in November. These events, to be held from 1:00 to 5:00 pm, will provide an overview of the E-rate program, the application process, required forms, and any updates and changes to the program for FY2006. They will be held in various geographic locations around the state. Districts interested in hosting a workshop should contact Pamela Brady (pam@more.net or 573-884-76454) by September 16. Note that hosting facilities should be able to accommodate 40 or more individuals.

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Comments due by October 18 <reminder>

On June 14, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) posted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) related to the administration, management, and oversight of the Universal Service Fund (USF), including the E-rate program. The NPRM will not have an immediate impact on the functioning of the E-rate program, as initial comments to the FCC are not due until October 18. However, the inquiry may alter or further delay Congress’ efforts to reform the USF and E-rate through the legislative process. The NPRM can be found on pages 41658-41678 of the Federal Register, Vol. 70, No. 138 for July 20, 2005. See: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.

ED TECH RESEARCH, PUBLICATION, RESOURCES, SPECIAL EVENTS

ED: New Listserv From The Institute Of Education Services

ED’s Institute of Education Services (IES) has created a new listserv. Subscribers interested in education research, evaluation, and statistics will automatically receive periodic notification of information on the IES website. Listserv topics will include funding, recent publications, and facts and figures from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). For more information, see: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ies/signupform.html.

NCES: Report On Online Assessment In Mathematics And Writing

Recently released, this document contains reports from the 2001 Math Online (MOL) study and the 2002 Writing Online (WOL) study, both field investigations in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Technology-based Assessment Project which explored the use of technology in NAEP. In both studies, results were compared of nationally representative groups of students that were administered computer-based or paper-based tests covering the same items. To download the report, see: http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2005457.

NSF: Digital Library For K-12 Class Materials

Despite threatened budget cuts, the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) online curriculum archive is expanding. The National Science Digital Library (NSDL) intends to build on the more than 830,000 peer-reviewed reports, lesson plans, and supplemental materials in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education that are already available. A Google-like tool helps educators search the central database by subject, grade level, and state benchmarking standards. The library includes video and audio as well as print materials. To use the free NSDL database search, visit: http://nsdl.org.

Free Database Of Masterwork Photography

The George Eastman House and the International Center of Photography are working to create one of the largest freely accessible databases on masterwork photography anywhere on the Web. While the site is under construction and only has a smattering of images now, it is expected to include almost 200,000 photographs when it is completed in the fall of 2006. As both institutions work out agreements with estates and living photographers, the intent is to add tens of thousands more pictures. See: http://www.photomuse.org.

CDW-G: Report Of 2005 Teachers Talk Tech Survey

According to a survey conducted this spring, about 86 percent of U.S. teachers say computer technology has changed the way they teach, while 55 percent say it has impacted their instruction. CDW Government, Inc. (CDW-G) employed market research firm Quality Education Data to conduct the 2005 Teachers Talk Tech survey of over 1,000 K-12 teachers. Findings suggest technology is here to stay and has an increasing presence and an increasing significance in what’s going on in the classroom. Nonetheless, there’s still work to be done related to classroom access and helping teachers integrate computers into their daily curriculum. To read the eSchool News online article, see: http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/PFshowstory.cfm?ArticleID=5835. For information about CDW-G, visit: http://www.cdwg.com.

Netday: Report On Student Visions Of Technology

Analyzing K-12 student responses to online questionnaires posed during last fall’s “Speak-Up Day for Students”, NetDay has released “Visions 2020.2: Student Views on Transforming Education and Training Through Advanced Technologies”. This report draws on students' visions of technology around four common themes: Digital Services, Access to computers and the Internet, Intelligent tutor/Helper, and Ways to Learn and Complete School Work Using Technology. To access the report, see: http://www.netday.org/downloads/Visions2020-2.pdf.

i-SAFE TRAINING DATES

In September-October, the Center for Safe Schools and the Regional Professional Development Centers (RPDCs) are partnering with i-SAFE to teach educators (and law enforcement officials) how to present i-SAFE’s Internet safety curriculum in the classroom. The curriculum integrates teaching and learning activities for grades K-12 and covers key topics such as the tools and techniques that online predators use to lure and seduce kids. The lessons combine appropriate discussions on collaborative learning projects that can be utilized in classrooms with and without computer access.

To-date, four training sessions have been scheduled. Additional training sessions planned for Columbia, Springfield, Kansas City, and St. Louis. For more information about i-SAFE workshops and Safety Coordinator Training to be held in November-December, contact the Center for Safe Schools at 816-235-5656 or visit the Center’s homepage at http://www.umkc.edu/safe-school.

September 27	Cape Girardeau RPDC Contact: Cheri Fuemmeler 800-401-6680, cfuemmeler@semo.edu
September 28	Rolla RPDC Contact: Ellen McLaughlin 800-667-0665
September 30	Northeast RPDC (Kirksville) Contact: Jenny Webb 888-878-7732, jwebb@truman.edu
October 18	Northwest RPDC (Maryville) Contact: Marsha Martin 800-663-3348

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR 2005 MISSOURI EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE

--Submitted by Eric Nicklas, Program Manager, K-12 Technology Network Program, MOREnet

Online registration for the 2005 Missouri Educational Technology Conference is open until October 5. The conference will be held Sunday, October 16 through Tuesday, October 18 at Tan-Tar-A in Osage Beach, MO. This year’s conference theme is “Enabling Learning Technologies.”

Participants may reserve rooms at the special conference rate of $84 until October 5, 2005. For information or reservations, contact Tan-Tar-A at (800) 826-8272 or visit the Tan-Tar-A website.

GNN and RECENT VIRUS OUTBREAKS

--Submitted by Eric Nicklas, Program Manager, K-12 Technology Network Program, MOREnet
www.more.net.

The Zotob virus and several other bot virus variants have been wreaking havoc on major networks recently. The New York Times, CNN, ABC and Caterpillar, Inc. have all reported major network outages due to these viruses.

The viruses exploit a recently reported vulnerability in the Microsoft Plug and Play service. Although a fix for the vulnerability has been released, the exploit was released within hours of the fix, and many computers were not, and have still not been patched. The virus uses port 445 to scan and spread from computer to computer, just like many other bot variants have done in the past.

In September 2004, MOREnet began offering its no-charge Good Net Neighbor (GNN) service to any customer who would sign up. GNN blocks the ports these viruses spread through. To date, 197 customers have taken advantage of this free service. Not one of those customers has been infected.

To sign up for GNN, go to www.more.net/security/gnns/gnns-app-041028.pdf (PDF file; 52 KB) or contact MOREnet Security at security@more.net or (800) 509-6673.

CELEBRATE CONSTITUTION DAY - SEPTEMBER 17, 2005

The Missouri Bar Law-Related Education (LRE) program has teamed up with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Missouri Council for Social Studies and the Missouri Press Association to produce a brochure filled with lessons and activity ideas for educators to use in celebration of Constitution Day. Educational institutions receiving federal funds are now required to hold an educational program pertaining to the Constitution on September 17 each year. See Federal Register http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/> Volume 70, number 99, page 29727 for the notice.

MISSOURI SCHOOLS AND PROJECTS IN THE NEWS

Federal Library Literacy Grants

Galena R-II School District
Recommended Grant: $95,607

The goals of Project Galena READS (Reading Enrichment and Achievement Delivers Success) are to improve student literacy and academic achievement; to increase critical thinking skills across the curriculum; and to instill a love of reading and learning in students that will last a lifetime. READ will improve the quality and quantity of books, reference materials and technology in the district’s libraries. The program will also increase the community’s access to these resources through extended hours of operation for two school libraries and a network website with links to school and county libraries. In addition, READ will provide professional development for teachers (particularly K-3 “at-risk” teachers) and media specialists. The program will impact a rural K-12 student population in two schools: Galena Elementary (PreK-6: 359 students) and Galena High School (grades 7-12: 215 students). Congratulations!

Sikeston R-6 School District
Recommended Grant: $187,979

Sikeston R-6, an urban school district in Missouri, plans to improve the reading skills of approximately 185 students in grades 3-12 who are currently enrolled in an alternate school program, and establish the New Horizons Library Media Center. At present, the newly re-organized school has no library. Library books, periodicals, equipment, and supplies will be purchased to support the curriculum and attract the interest of the diverse school population. Two part-time library media specialists will cooperate with classroom teachers to teach information retrieval skills and provide enhanced reading opportunities. The addition of the New Horizons Library Media Center library program will improve the reading scores and state assessment scores of these at-risk students. Congratulations!

Jefferson C-123 School District
Recommended Grant: $158,830

The Jefferson C-123 Library Improvement Grant will improve library programs and services in order to increase the literacy levels and the achievement of students in the rural Jefferson C-123 School district. The district serves 88 students in grades Pre-K through 6 and 79 students in grades 7-12. The program will acquire up-to-date school library resources, increase access to school media center resources (during, before and dafter school hours) and enhance collaboration among school librarians and classroom teachers. A half-time reading specialist will join the librarian to plan units of instruction with classroom teachers (incorporating updated library resources). In addition, the program will upgrade the school’s library technology allowing for the creation of a library web page that will provide access to library resources outside the district. Congratulations!

eMINTS NEWS

eMINTS Talk Radio Promotion

Teachers often work in isolation and do not have opportunities for interactivity and social interchanges with other teachers to gather and share ideas for their classroom. One solution to this problem is the development of an eMINTS Internet talk radio program that will provide a place for eMINTS teachers to share their stories, answer questions, and raise awareness of the eMINTS program, live on Internet radio,

This fall, eMINTS talk radio programs would be scheduled for live interaction, recorded, and made available online for later listening. If you are interested in participating in this ongoing event, please email Dr. Laura Diggs directly (Laura@missouri.edu ). She can provide more information about the program and how it works.

COOPERATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS VIDEO-CONFERENCING PILOT

Cooperating School Districts (CSD) professional development specialists are very enthusiastic about creating a pilot with videoconferencing opportunities for eMINTS teachers who have completed both years of their professional development and who already have videoconferencing equipment available to them in their districts. The pilot would include some training for the teachers about the possibilities of projects using videoconferencing. CSD staff would share not only electronic field trips available, but also collaborative projects and global connections that fit into the teachers' curriculum content. Videoconferencing is a relationship tool and there are many ways to initiate inquiry based lessons and units with this tool.

Videoconferencing fits perfectly with online projects, WebQuests, primary research, cross disciple planning and multimedia projects. All of the cooperative learning strategies are used in the pre and post lessons. Videoconferencing is research-based and now has a SIG in ISTE.

When students complete projects to share with other classrooms, it raises the bar with friendly collaboration and competition. You can view the preliminary program for the coming school year at http://www.csd.org/newlinks/inservice.htm. Please email Ruth Litman-Block directly at rlblock@csd.org for more information or to indicate your interest in participating in the pilot. The in-service can be completed via video-teleconferencing.

EMINTS QUESTION OF THE MONTH

Q. How can I share awards and achievements that my school and colleagues receive?

A. Send notices of awards and honors to eMINTS teachers, LMS and schools to the emints-info@emints.org mailbox with as much information about the award and the individual or school as possible. They will be honored in the Weekly Update following receipt of the email. Please be sure to include your email address and a school phone number where you can be reached in case additional information is needed

COPYRIGHT QUESTION OF THE MONTH

Q. May an educator (e.g., administrator, classroom teacher, substitute teacher, or student teacher) other district employee, volunteer, or others who owns a legal copy of a software program that is installed on their home computer install a copy of this program on a school owned computer?

A. A single-user license allows the installation of the software on only one machine unless otherwise specified.

Note: Installation may occur only if the license specifically allows the simultaneous installation of the software in both locations.

UPCOMING 2005 CONFERENCES

2005

September 22-24 Leading Learning For The Future
McREL & Cardinal Stritch University
Westminister, Colorado
mail@carusogroup.com

September 27-29 Federal Programs Fall Conference
Tan-Tar-A, Osage Beach, MO
http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/fedpro

October 3-5 Keystone Conference: Interactive Videoconferencing: Igniting Opportunities for Learning
University Place and Conference Center, Indianapolis, IN
http://www.keystoneconference.org

October 18-21 EDUCAUSE 2005
Orange County Convention Center
Orlando, FL
EDUCAUSE 2005, http://www.educause.edu/e05

October 18-22 2005 AECT International Convention
Association for Educational Communications and Technology
Disney Coronado Springs Resort
Orlando, FL
http://www.aect.org/events/Orlando/default.asp?clientid

2006

January 30-
February 1
METC Conference
St. Louis, MO
www.csd.org

February 23-25 Interface A 2006: Making Connections for Student Success (Grades K-6)
Tan-Tar-A, Osage Beach, MO

February 26-28 Interface B 2006: Making Connections for Student Success (Grades 7-12)
Tan-Tar-A, Osage Beach, MO

March 22-23 MOREnet Spring Connections Conference
Tan-Tar-A, Osage Beach, MO
http://www.more.net/conferences

June 17- 22 Teaching and Learning Conference
Holiday Inn Select, Columbia, MO
http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/curiculum/conferences/schoolleadersconf.htm

GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Source: Technology & Learning
For descriptions of the individual grants, go to www.techlearning.com/grants.html

Deadline Grant

Ongoing Educational Foundation of America Grants
www.efaw.org

Ongoing The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation’s Education Grants Program
www.hewlett.org

Ongoing
Intel’s Model School Grant Program
www.intel.com/modelschool

Ongoing
Adopt a Classroom Grants
www.adoptaclassroom.com

September 1
InfoSource Inc. ‘Integrating Technology in the Classroom’ Grant Program
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/6prweb249852.htm

September 1
NEC Teaching in Motion Contest
http://www.necvisualsystems.com

September 1
Teaching in Motion Video Contest
http://www.necvsd.com/educationvideo/ed_home.html

September 15
Innovation and Learning & Leadership Grants
NEA Foundation for the Improvement of Education
www.nfie.org

September 30
The SMARTer Kids Grants for SMART Products
www.smarterkids.org

October 1
Toshiba Small Grants Program for K-6 Science and Math Education
Toshiba America Foundation
www.toshiba.com/taf

November 10
Educational Foundation of America Grants
www.efaw.org

November 15
Shell Science Teaching Award
www.nsta.org/awardscomp

February 1
Innovation and Learning & Leadership Grants
www.nfie.org

February 1
The American Association of School Librarians (AASL)
The Information Technology Pathfinder Award
www.ala.org/aasl/awards.html

March 1
The NEC Foundation of America grants
www.necfoundation.org

June 1
Innovation and Learning & Leadership Grants
(NEA Foundation for the Improvement of Education)
www.nfie.org

June 10
Teacher Grants (National Geographic Society Education Foundation)
www.nationalgeographic.com/education/teacher_community/get_grant.html#anchor_2

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

September 1 Newsline published online

September 8

September 17
Missouri Rural Development Partnerships
Committee Meeting (1:15 pm-3:30 pm)
Governor Office Building, Room 316, Jefferson City, MO
Celebrate Constitution Day

September 25 Newsline articles due

FROM THE MAILBAG

Technology Leader of the Year Deadline Extended: Technology & Learning's 2005 Leader of the Year Program
http://i.cmpnet.com/techlearning/contest/LOY2005rules.pdf

Technology & Learning’s 2005 Leader of the Year Program is once again honoring K-12

administrators, technology coordinators, and teachers who use technology in innovative ways to help teachers teach and help students learn. You are invited to share your teaching, training, and managing success stories with our judges. Four finalists will win prizes, gain national recognition and be profiled in Teaching & Learning’s 2005 Awards Issue. The application deadline has been extended until September 29, 2005.

September is Library Card sign-up Month
http://www.ala.org/ala/pio/piopresskits/librarycardsignupmonth2005/

Sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and observed every September since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month reminds parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all. Studies have shown that children who are read to in the home and use library services perform better in school and are more likely to use libraries as a source for lifetime learning. With almost 16,500 public libraries nationwide, free homework help, computer classes and a world of information are right around the corner.

New Grant Program Targets Students With Low Reading Level
http://www.ed.gov/programs/strivingreaders/index.html

The Department of Education recently announced the Striving Readers program, a new discretionary grant program designed to raise the reading achievement levels of middle and high school students. The program specifically targets Title I-eligible schools with significant numbers of students reading below grade level.

Grant funds can be used to support new comprehensive reading initiatives or expansion of existing initiatives that improve the quality of literacy instruction across the curriculum. Reading initiatives can also provide intensive literacy interventions to struggling adolescent readers or help to build a strong, scientific research base for identifying and replicating strategies that improve adolescent literacy skills. An estimated $24 million will be awarded through the Striving Readers program to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) that have schools 1) eligible to receive funds under Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, and 2) serve students in one or more grades in grades 6 through 12.

The awards will range from $1 million to $5 million. The deadline for submitting a notice of intent to apply is September 14, 2005, and the deadline for submitting applications is November 14, 2005. More information about the Striving Readers program can be found on the program’s Web site.

Inspired Teacher Scholarships for Visual Learning
http://www.inspirtion.com/prodev/index.cfm?fuseaction=scholarship&CFID=6767

To support educators with their ongoing professional development and to champion the integration of visual learning into the curriculum, Inspiration Software is pleased to offer the eighth annual Inspired Teacher Scholarships for Visual Learning. Inspiration Software is committed to helping educators use graphic organizers and other visual learning tools to help students develop strong thinking and organizational skills and improve their academic performance. Research has shown that visual learning is one of the best methods for teaching thinking skills. Visual learning techniques—graphical ways of working with ideas and presenting information—teach students to think clearly and to process, organize, and prioritize new information. Inspired Teacher Scholarships for Visual Learning must be used to defray costs incurred by scholarships winners to attend workshops, conferences, or graduate courses that focus on visual learning and technology in education.

The InfoSource Integrating Technology in the Classroom Grant
www.howtomaster.com

InfoSource Inc., the developer and distributor of the “How to Master” line of technology-related education products, is accepting applications for its new grant program. The InfoSource Integrating Technology in the Classroom Grant Program will award up to $2.5 million in online tools and training to school districts across the nation.

The grant program aims at supporting “in need” school districts across the nation by providing the InfoSource How To Master Learn It! Build It! Share It! Suite of online tools and technology training to help improve digital literacy skills for both teachers and students, simplify and enhance the learning process, and make computers and the Internet and integral part of the classroom.

School districts are encouraged to apply early since applications will be reviewed and awarded monthly until the grant pool has been exhausted. Submissions will be accepted through December 31, 2005. All grants will be awarded by the end of January 2006. Awardees will receive financial assistance for a one-year product license for faculty, staff, and/or student use in their school district.

The application process consists of an online application form and submission of a short 1-2 page summary detailing how the district plans to integrate technology in the classroom utilizing the Learn It! Build It! Share It! Suite of online tools and technology training. Check the website for more information.

Grant Title: Web Empowerment Grants
http://www.schoolspan.com

Organization: SchoolSpan
Eligibility: K-12 schools, school districts, and education agencies
Value: $1 million total
Deadline: September 30, 2005

School districts nationwide looking to turn their web sites from obsolete pages to meaningful communication tools now have a viable solution to make that goal a reality. SchoolSpan's second annual Web Empowerment Grants will be providing up to $1 million in technology applications to jump-start the efforts. Individual school buildings are not eligible to participate. Based upon evaluation of the district's current online communication strategies and functionalities, districts will be selected to receive the grants. Educational agencies winning the grants will be given one year of free access to SchoolSpan Plus, which includes modules that help transform school district web sites with tools such as interactive welcome pages, centralized newsletters, centralized calendars, and district file cabinets. (Note: In case the first deadline cannot be made, there is a second deadline to apply for this grant on November 30, 2005.)

Math Matrix
http://www.citeducation.org/mathmatrix

From the folks at the Center for Implementing Technology in Education (CITEd) comes Math Matrix, an online resource that aims to provide the most current snapshot of available technology tools used for K-8 mathematics instruction and the research to support their adoption in schools. The interactive Math Matrix currently reviews 29 different software programs and presents evidence for the effectiveness of their use in the teaching of math, especially for students with special needs or disabilities. The Matrix includes links to vendor web sites and a database of related research, including peer-reviewed and vendor-published research and evaluations of technology tools. Detailed citation and summary information is included for each article and will be updated quarterly. “The Math Matrix will be an invaluable tool for decision makers in school systems around the country. For the first time, educators and administrators have a simple, reliable way to get evidence-based research about technology instructional tools, helping them make smart purchasing decisions to support the teaching of math, “said Heidi Silver-Pacuilla, a research analyst for CITEd. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs, CITEd is a cooperative effort between the American Institutes for Research, the Center for Applied Special Technology, and the Education Development Center.

Domestic Grants Program