Grant Readers Needed

We need you!

Grant applications are due on October 21st. for the Computer Assisted Writing RFP (http://www.state.ct.us/sde/DTL/RFP/cawt.doc). Readers will be given approximately two weeks to review between three and six proposals. Whether or not you have ever read a proposal before, your input is valuable. On November 9th., readers that have read the same applications will come together to summarize their findings.

Soon to be released is the new RFP for Infrastructure Wiring. If you are someone that uses the terms routers, switches and firewall as part of your everyday vocabulary, we need you to assist in the reading. Each reader will be given several proposals to read and then will have the opportunity to come together on November 21st. to compare their findings with other readers.

If you are interested in becoming a reader for either of the RFPs, please send me an e-mail (arthur.skerker@po.state.ct.us) with your contact information. If you want more details about the reading process, please call me @ (860) 713-6553.

Technology Plan Template is available now! (Rollout session date change @ ACES)

Current district technology plans are due to expire June 30, 2006. The Technology Plan Template that will be used to develop new three year plans (from July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2009) will be introduced through the RESCs during September. Tech plan template rollout sessions have been scheduled at CES-9.19.05 @ 1:30PM, LEARN-9.21.05 @ 1:00PM, ACES-9.22.05 and 9.26.05 @ 9:00AM, CREC-9.29.05 @ 8:30AM, EASTCONN (Windham Mills)-9.29.05 @ 3:30PM, and EdConnection-9.30.05 @ 9:00AM.

The template has been mailed out to superintendents and can be downloaded @ http://www.state.ct.us/sde/dtl/technology/technology.htm. You may also request a copy by contacting your local RESCtech or by sending me (arthur.skerker@po.state.ct.us) an e-mail.

Laptop/Online Writing Assessment RFP

The RFP for Computer Assisted Writing, Instruction, and Testing (AKA- Laptop Pilot Program Grant) has been posted and is going out to Superintendents today. It is available at http://www.state.ct.us/sde/rfp/index.htm under the Curriculum heading. Note that there will be a Bidder’s Conference to review and discuss the RFP on September 19, 2005 at ACES (205 Skiff Street, Hamden) from 1:30 – 3:30.
Questions and concerns...call Karen Kaplan (860) 713-6781 or e-mail karen.kaplan@po.state.ct.us

We need your help with an online E-Rate Survey of Schools

The State E-Rate Coordinators' Alliance (SECA) has just developed an online E-Rate Survey of Schools, which asks questions we don't think have ever been included in any prior survey. The survey consists of 28 straightforward questions and they estimate that it should take between 10 - 15 minutes to complete. It's being asked of all schools in the country, with each state then analyzing their own schools' data. The survey will close at 8:00 p.m. EST, Wednesday, September 7. If we are going to maintain the $2.25 billion E-rate program, we need to have clear data to present to the policymakers that are thinking that the program isn't successful and is not vitally needed.

Please complete the survey only if your district completes the Form 471 (the billed entity), regardless of whether individual schools within that district apply separately.

What will happen to the data? All contact and identifying information will be kept confidential; it’s being collected in order for the State E-Rate coordinators to contact the schools if they have any questions and to determine if duplicate responses were submitted. Please know that the individual responses will be kept confidential, except where indicated. The data will be compiled and analyzed to determine areas for program improvement, the ongoing need for E-Rate, etc. They also hope to compile the aggregated data which we'll make available for everyone to see. The survey is located at: http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB224KB8TD3EW