Title IID Entitlement Awards - Consortium Option

Although the application is not yet available (keep checking the Title IID Website and watch for notifications on this blog), there have already been many questions about obtaining these funds.

One question has been raised by some districts eligible only for very small entitlement (formula) amounts. The question is whether or not districts can apply as a consortium, thus combining their entitlements to receive enough money to actually make some impact. Though not explicitly discussed in the about-to-be-released application, the answer is YES.

To quote from the USDoE “Guidance on the Enhancing Education Through Technology (Ed Tech) Title IID Program:

“An eligible LEA may apply for Ed Tech formula grant funds as part of a consortium that includes other LEAs, institutions of higher education, educational service agencies, libraries, or other educational entities. Only an (eligible) LEA may serve as the fiscal agent for Ed Tech funds.”

To apply as part of a consortium, the same application form is to be used. On the Cover Sheet (page 3) of the application, under NAME OF APPLICANT DISTRICT", write the name of the LEA that will serve as the lead applicant, followed by the word CONSORTIUM APPLICATION. On the next line, ENTITLEMENT AMOUNT, list the total amount for which the consortium is eligible (total of all LEAs in consortium). On the bottom of the Cover Sheet list all the LEAs that are part of the consortium, followed by their entitlement amounts.

I know this is a bit confusing - especially prior to the release of the application - but I wanted to give everyone as much notice as possible so that planning for use of these funds can begin and LEAs are ready to move quickly once the application is released.

CT Title IID ARRA Fund - Website Posted

We have just posted a new page to the CSDE Website that explains Title IID ARRA fund distribution in CT. The Website is still evolving, and as new information and RFPs are available, they will be posted on this page. Currently of note, you can find a link to information on the amounts that districts will receive on an entitlement basis through Title IID ARRA funds. (Note: The application for these entitlement funds is NOT yet available - but it is expected to be posted later this month.)

Competitive fund RFPs will be announced in the coming months.

Title IID ARRA Website: http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2618&q=322384

Looks like the lights are staying on...

As you may have heard or read, The CT Legislature has reached agreement on a budget, which the Governor now has 5 days to approve or not. In the budget, there is full funding to keep the CEN on and happy :-), providing Internet and support to each of the schools, colleges, and libraries in the network. Also in the budget is funding that is necessary to keep iCONN databases available to all CEN connected sites.

It's not yet a done deal, but things look better than they have for several months, so I remain optomistic that we ed-techies will be OK during these difficult fiscal times.

Update: Computer Assisted Writing Grant

The calls and emails keep coming in... so here's an update on the Computer Assisted Writing Grant:

The final review and scoring for this last round of Computer Assisted Writing Grants will be held on September 9th. After the final scores are in, there is a minimum of about 10 days of beurocracy before the winning projects can be announced.

The moment that I have the list of approved grantees, letters of award or denial will be mailed to superintendents who applied, and I will post the list of districts who will receive the grants on this blog. I expect that to happen in late September. At that time, grantees may begin immediately implementing their projects.