STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

101 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301

Citizens Services Line 1-800-339-9900  FAX 603-271-1953

 

Maximizing Impact

 

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

 

No Child Left Behind, Title II-D

Enhancing Education Through Technology (E2T2)

Basic Competitive Grants

 

Release Date: 5/14/08

 

The Enhancing Education through Technology Program (commonly known as No Child Left Behind, Title II-D Program) will issue one more round of grants to districts in 2007-08. These are previously unspent technology funds which must be disbursed by districts by no later than September 30, 2008. A total of approximately $85,000 is available for funding in awards of $5,000 for professional development grants or $30,000 for technology pilot project grants.

This document is the official “Request for Proposals” used to outline how a district may apply for these funds. It contains important information on the background of the federal program and its requirements. Please review all pages of this document to learn how to apply for Basic Competitive Grants. Applications must be submitted according to the guidelines described in this document (also available at www.nheon.org/oet/nclb) using the application form provided. The application deadline is June 16, 2008.

 

Recognizing the short timeframe for application, award, and disbursement of these grant funds, the Department will sponsor a Grants Information Session for interested districts on Monday, May 19, 2008 from 1 – 5 PM at the NH Department of Education in Concord.

If your district is interested in applying, you are not required to attend this meeting, but it is important that you notify us of your interest by Friday, May 16, using the online Intent to Apply form at www.nheon.org/oet/nclb. 

 

 

Contact

 

This RFP has a short response time. You may have questions along the way. Don’t hesitate to email your questions:

 

Dr. Cathy Higgins, Title II-D Program Manager

Office of Educational Technology, Division of Instruction

New Hampshire Department of Education

101 Pleasant St, Concord, NH 03301

Voice: 603.271.2453
Email: chiggins@ed.state.nh.us 

In a recently released report, Maximizing the Impact: "The Pivotal Role of Technology in a 21st Century Education System", the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA), the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), and the Partnership for 21st Century Skills urged renewed emphasis on comprehensive use of technology in education.

According to the report, “to keep pace with a changing world, schools need to offer more rigorous, relevant and engaging opportunities for students to learn—and to apply their knowledge and skills in meaningful ways. Used comprehensively, technology supports new, research-based approaches and promising practices in teaching and learning.” This RFP seeks Basic Competitive Grant Proposals that can maximize technology’s impact by responding to the need to support innovative teaching and learning in K-12 education.

Writing a Successful Proposal

Step 1. Read all sections of this document to understand the grant requirements.

Step 2. See the Appendices to review the application formats. They describe the information that should be included within each section of your proposal. Then review the scoring rubrics which will be used to score your proposal.

Step 3. Review the professional development and pilot project information in this RFP to decide what will be the focus of your project.

Step 4. Enter your contact information and intent to apply (go to www.nheon.org/oet/nclb.

Step 5. Write your proposal using the application form provided on the website. Then read this guidance document again to be sure you have covered all the required information. Ask someone unfamiliar with the project to read your proposal to assess it for clarity and completeness.

Step 6. Follow the Submission Instructions to submit your proposal.

 

About the Federal Program

With the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, Congress appropriated funds for NCLB Title II Part D, the Enhancing Education Through Technology (Ed Tech) Program. The primary goal of the federal Ed Tech Program is to improve student academic achievement through the use of technology in elementary and secondary schools.

In addition, the program is designed to:

(a)   assist every student to become technologically literate by the end of eighth grade, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, geographical location, or disability, and

(b)   encourage effective integration of technology with curriculum development and high quality professional development to promote research-based instructional methods.

The NHDOE encourages applications that also have the potential to further the Follow The Child Initiative. This initiative was designed to help schools and teachers foster student aspirations to promote student achievement through an emphasis on personalized learning and assessment. Expanding upon the spirit of No Child Left Behind, Follow The Child focuses on measuring growth in the personal, social, physical, and academic facets of each student’s life and defining the necessary support systems needed for each child’s success.

About Basic Competitive Grants

New Hampshire has a total of approximately $85,000 available for grants described in this RFP. High need school district teams are invited to apply for grants to improve the level of technology integration within their districts as follows:

Application Amount

Grant Type

Activity Types

(See www.nheon.org/oet/nclb/allowable.htm)

$5,000

Professional Development

Sponsoring participation of district teams (minimum of 4 people on a team) at summer institutes, conferences, and/or online courses with a focus on the integration of advanced technologies into curriculum and instruction and on using technology to create new learning environments.

$30,000

Technology Pilot  Projects to provide Access to Technology Resources and Technology Literacy for Students

Conducting a pilot project to acquire significant numbers of digital tools (such as sub-notebook computers or handhelds for entire classrooms or grades in a school) and then providing supportive professional development to teachers to ensure an effective implementation when students return to school in the fall. The broad goals of a pilot project should be to increase access to technology resources and to support technology literacy for students.

   

Professional Development Grants

Professional Development Grants ($5,000)

These grants may support teams of 4 or more participants who would benefit from involvement in one or more technology-related professional development opportunities available in Summer 2008, including but not limited to the following:

·         NHSTE – November Learning Summer Institute 2008 (www.nhste.org)
This institute is hosted by NHSTE and presented by members of the Alan November Learning Institute staff, bringing the best that their annual Boston Conference has to offer to New Hampshire. This event will be held at SERESC in Bedford.

·         OPEN-NH Online Professional Development Courses (www.opennh.org)
A wide array of online courses on content and pedagogy facilitated by NH educators all across the state. All courses are online, so you can participate while at the beach or in your own living room!

·         CyberSmart! Online courses (www.cybersmart.org) has a set of online courses for teachers on Internet safety topics for the classroom.

·         LESCN Technology-Supported Opportunities (www.nheon.org/centers)
There are a variety of summer events to support technology integration offered at each of the LESCN sites (Keene, Claremont, Gorham, Penacook, Exeter, Manchester).

·         Ideas Consulting Summer Portfolio Institute (www.richerpicture.com/workshops)
Choose from Portfolio 101 (3 day workshop) and/or Designing Rubrics (1 day workshop). This event will be held at Tilton School.

·         Other equally rigorous professional development opportunities …

Technology Pilot Projects

Technology Pilot Projects ($30,000)

Many types of digital tools can be used effectively in schools to engage students and improve student achievement. Districts applying for grants for pilot projects are encouraged to first review current research on tools that can have a positive impact, and then design a project to acquire specific tools and engage teachers in professional development activities to effectively use the tools within their classrooms. Initial professional development should be conducted during summer 2008 with the intent of continuing support with local funds after 9/30/08.

When writing proposals, consider ways to design a project that can later be replicated across the district and at other schools. Pilot project proposals will be reviewed with the intent to fund those that show the greatest potential to demonstrate effectiveness and to be replicated in subsequent years.

Proposals must indicate a strong commitment to share lessons learned with other NH schools by presentations at professional conferences and meetings within the state.

Proposals must include relevant research citations.

Project Dates

5/19/08    Grants Information Meeting on May 19, 2008 from 1 – 5 PM at the NHDOE in Concord (Room 15).

6/16/08    Submit all application files by this date (see Submission Instructions).

·         Signed originals of the application cover page and budget OBM Form 1 must be received at NHDOE by 5 PM on 6/16/08.

·         Electronic version of complete application (proposal cover page, narrative, budget, OBM Form 1) must be received via email to chiggins@ed.state.nh.us by midnight on 6/16/08.

·         Your Form 1 should indicate a project period start date of 6/16/08 and project period end date of 9/30/08. 

6/20/08    Grant awards are expected to be announced by June 20, 2008.

 

NOTE: These are funds that will expire this year. If you are applying for these funds, you MUST be able to obligate AND disburse them by no later than 9/30/08, and you must agree to submit an OBM final disbursements report by October 10, 2008.

 

Eligibility

If you can answer YES to the following questions, your district is eligible to apply for this grant. (More about each question below.)

 

  1. Is your district a high need school district according to the federal guidelines? (see Appendix A)
  2. Does your district have a current district technology plan approved by the NH Department of Education? (see www.nheon.org/oet/erate/TPStatus.htm)
  3. Did your district complete the annual school DISTRICT & SCHOOL technology surveys in 2007-08? (see www.nheon.org/oet/survey)

 

High Need Districts

According to NCLB Title IID federal program guidelines dated March 11, 2002 (p.12) (see www.ed.gov/programs/edtech/legislation.html), funding should be targeted toward “high need districts.” These are defined by federal legislation as:

 

A

 

 

AND

 

B

those districts whose percentages of children from families with incomes below the poverty line are above the state median (see www.census.gov/hhes/www/saipe)

 

who have either of the following:

-         one or more “schools in need of improvement” or

-         a substantial need for assistance in acquiring and using technology

 

High need school district teams are eligible to apply for grants to improve the level of technology integration within their districts. Appendix A contains a list of high need school districts as defined within the federal program guidelines.

Technology Plans

Districts receiving Title IID funds must have budgets and planned activities that are consistent with their technology plans. Federal law requires districts to have an approved district technology plan on file to receive Title IID funds. Districts must have a new or updated long-range strategic technology plan that aligns with the guidance contained in the New Hampshire Technology Planning Guide (www.nheon.org/oet/tpguide) and is consistent with the objectives of the State Educational Technology Plan. (If your tech plan has been recently submitted to the NHDOE for approval, you are eligible to apply, so long as the approval is provided prior to awarding of the funds.) Districts should keep in mind that these federal funds are intended to “supplement and not supplant” the use of local funding.

Districts are required to inform the NHDOE whenever significant modifications are made to a local technology plan. Check the Tech Plan Status List at http://nheon.org/oet/erate/TPStatus.htm to ensure that your plan is current. For approval criteria, districts should refer to the elements described in the current Technology Plan Approval Rubric, available from the home page of the Guide.

Tech Survey

The NHDOE conducts an annual technology survey as part of its obligation to monitor and collect data about the impact of the Title IID program. While all districts are encouraged to complete the survey, districts that received grants last year were required to submit an Annual District Technology Survey, as well as School Technology Surveys for each school in the district. Districts that did not submit complete school technology surveys in 2007-08 are ineligible to apply for this grant. Visit www.nheon.org/oet/survey to check the list of surveys submitted.

CIPA

Successful grantees will be asked to certify on their grant signature page the conditions that are met by their district relative to the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requirements. Districts must be CIPA compliant in terms of their Internet filtering if they are purchasing any equipment that will be used by students to access the Internet.

Partnership Applications

Federal guidelines permit eligible districts to submit either a Single District Application for their district alone or a Partnership Application. The focus of all applications, whether single or partnership, must be on addressing the needs of the high-need LEA(s).

Additional partners may include:

·         A district that can demonstrate that teachers in its schools are effectively integrating technology and proven teaching practices into instruction, based on a review of relevant research, and that the integration results in improvement in classroom instruction and in helping students meet challenging academic standards,

·         Institutions of higher education compliant with section 207(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965

·         For profit organizations that develop, design, manufacture, or produce technology products or services or have substantial expertise in the application of technology in instruction

·         Public or private nonprofit organizations with demonstrated expertise in the application of educational technology in instruction.

The fiscal agent for partnership applications must be a high need district listed in Appendix A. Partnership Applications should include letters of support from all partners.

Equitable Participation

According to federal guidelines, as a district, you must provide an opportunity for local non-public schools within your locality to consult with you when you write your proposal. Contact them to discuss ways they might be included in your project. You are not required to include them in your project activities if they are not interested in partnering with you, but you do need to offer them the opportunity. For a list of non-public schools and their contact information, visit this page on the NHDOE website and click on the link to the non-public schools list: http://www.ed.state.nh.us/education/doe/organization/instruction/boip.htm

According to federal guidelines, if a private school is part of your application, any equipment purchased with the grant remains the property of the public school. Equipment may be loaned to the private school, if needed, to carry out the project.

Professional Development

§       25% Requirement -- Districts must use at least 25% of the grant funds for ongoing, sustained, intensive, high-quality professional development. Districts are strongly encouraged to budget more than 25% for professional development where appropriate within the proposed project.

Such professional development should be focused on the integration of advanced technologies, including emerging technologies, into curriculum and instruction and in using those technologies to create new learning environments.

§       For more information about how professional development can support integration of advanced technologies and student mastery of 21st century skills, districts are encouraged to visit the Route 21 website, created by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills: http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/route21/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35&Itemid=23 

§       Alternatives – According to federal guidelines, this 25% professional development requirement can be waived only if the district can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the NHDOE that it already provides ongoing, sustained, intensive, high-quality professional development, based on a review of relevant research, to all teachers in core academic subjects. Districts should keep in mind that these federal funds are intended to “supplement and not supplant” the use of local funding.

§       Using Support Centers for PD services - When planning professional development activities, districts are encouraged to consult one of the Local Education Support Centers. These are strategically located in Keene, Claremont, Manchester, Exeter, Capital Area/Penacook, and Gorham in order to cover all regions of the state. More information about the centers is available at www.nheon.org/centers.

Allowable Activities

This RFP is focused on the following three categories of allowable activities:

Access to Technology Resources - Does your proposed project enhance existing technology and/or help to acquire new technology to support education reforms and to improve student achievement?

Technology Literacy for Students – Does your proposed project implement proven and effective courses and/or curricula that include integrated technology and that are designed to help students reach challenging academic standards?

Professional Development - Does your proposed project support ongoing, sustained, intensive, high-quality professional development focused on the integration of advanced technologies, including emerging technologies, into curriculum and instruction and in using those technologies to create new learning environments? Does it prepare one or more teachers as technology leaders who will assist other teachers?

Required Evaluation Data and Reports

Federal guidelines require that districts have a means of evaluating the extent to which Title IID activities are effective in (1) integrating technology into curricula and instruction; (2) increasing the ability of teachers to teach; and (3) enabling students to meet challenging state standards.

Because the Title IID program is a state-administered program, NHDOE is responsible for ensuring that districts comply with statutory requirements. Therefore, districts are required to submit updated budgets, data for performance reports, and other reasonable data to the NHDOE before being awarded funds in subsequent years.

The following data reports are required of districts receiving Title IID funds:

§       NH School Technology Survey – A survey must be submitted for each building in the district as well as the district as a whole in order for the district to be eligible for funding next year. The online surveys are opened for data entry typically from early January through late February each year. If awarded funding from this current application process, you agree to submit data for the 2008-09 survey year. State data from previous tech surveys may be viewed at www.nheon.org/oet/survey. 

§       LoTi Survey – This online survey is available throughout the school year at www.lotilounge.com and should be completed by a majority of district staff at about the same time each year. Aggregate results from schools across the state provide valuable data for statewide planning.

·         Case Studies Report – This is a short form to report progress on district project activities. The case studies form is available as a downloadable Word document and an online survey at: www.nheon.org/oet/. If awarded funds from this current application process, you will be asked to complete it during Fall 2008.

 

The above data sources should be utilized when districts develop an outline of the grant evaluation plan aligned to the project goals. Applicants should also refer to the resource “Collaborative Evaluation led by Local Educators” (www.neirtec.org/evaluation/) for help in developing their evaluation plan, paying particular attention to the “Gathering Together and Planning” section.

Project Meetings

Acknowledging the timeframe for these funds, grantees will be asked to participate in an online technical assistance work space to ensure that their evaluation plans will be effective and consistent with other similar grants currently underway. There is NO COST for this workshop. Grantees will be able to share knowledge and ideas about their projects, review reporting guidelines and evaluation materials, and discuss data collection and dissemination methods.

Required Budget Forms & Reports

OBM Form 1

·    An OBM Form 1 should be submitted with the application narrative. This form is used to authorize all federal projects issued by the NHDOE. When completing this federal projects budget form, it is important that you double check all entries with your business manager before submitting to the NHDOE. (In many districts, the form is normally completed by the business manager.) Sending the form with errors can result in delays in processing your grant. Common errors include missing or incorrect project start and end dates, missing fiscal agent name in “make checks payable to” box, or incorrectly calculated indirect cost amounts. For detailed instructions on indirect cost calculations and other instructions related to OBM Forms, visit the NHDOE Integrated Programs website at: www.ed.state.nh.us/education/doe/organization/instruction/boip.htm

·    Your Form 1 should indicate a project period start date of 6/16/08 and project period end date of 9/30/08. 

Obligation and Disbursement Reports

FY 2008 Title IID projects may remain open until 9/30/08. These are funds that will expire this year. If you are applying for these funds, you MUST be able to obligate AND disburse them by no later than 9/30/08, and you must agree to submit an OBM final disbursements report by October 10, 2008.

Funding obligations AND disbursements must be reported by a school district no later than the fall quarterly report which ends September 2008. Budget OBM Forms 3 and 4 from the NHDOE are used for these reports.

 

Failure to submit obligation and disbursement reports to the NHDOE Office of Business Management by October 10, 2008 will result in the forfeiture of any outstanding obligations.

 

 

Digital Tools

The list below contains a sample of the many digital tools that could be used in projects. You are not restricted to the specific products within the categories, but we do recommend that you focus on some type of one-to-one project. For example, a pilot project might include a set of sub-notebooks (mini-laptops) for all 7th graders, a set of classroom response systems (clickers) for all 8th grade classrooms, or an interactive whiteboard for all classrooms in the school building. Your project should include the initial professional development to help teachers prepare lesson materials to use with these tools.

Also included below are some links to research about the tools. It is important to match digital tools to instructional purpose and to review the research behind the potential impact a particular digital tool may have in your classrooms. BE SURE TO VISIT THE ONLINE VERSION OF THIS APPLICATION since all of the information below is linked to actual web resources.

 

Sub-notebooks

Examples: Asus Eee – Intel Classmate – others…

Research: inTASC at Boston College – NC 1:1 Initiatives – Maine Learns

Classroom Response Systems

Examples: eInstruction - 2Know System - Promethean – Senteo

Research: Vanderbilt Bibliography

Interactive Whiteboards

Examples: SMART Boards, Mimio, eBeam, Polyvision, and more …

Research: Research in UK Primary Schools, Research with SmartBoards

Personal Digital Devices

Research: Becta 1:1 Interim Report – GoKnow Learning

Web-based Portfolio Systems

Examples: Richer Picture - TaskStream –Moodle - Mahara – Sakai OSP

Research: Becta Report – Reflect Report – Barrett’s Research List

 

More Links

§       NHDOE Office of Educational Technology – www.nheon.org/oet

§       NH Local Educational Support Center Network – www.nheon.org/centers

§       NHEON Professional Development Resources – www.nheon.org/prof_dev

§       New Hampshire ICT Literacy Standards – www.nheon.org/ictliteracy

§       NETS the Next Generation – Includes standards for students, student profiles, and essential conditions documents: http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=NETS

§       NEIRTEC Collaborative Evaluation led by Local Educators - http://www.neirtec.org/evaluation

§       Information about the Ed Tech Program on the U.S. Department of Education website at http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/index.html

§       Information about the Children’s Internet Protection Act -- http://www.sl.universalservice.org/reference/CIPA.asp

Submission Instructions

1.    Download the application form, OBM Budget Form 1, and submission guidelines from the website at: www.nheon.org/oet/nclb.  Use the forms provided to create your proposal and budget form.

2.    EMAIL the complete application electronically as attachments to an email to chiggins@ed.state.nh.us by 6/16/08. (Two files should be attached: the unsigned cover page with narrative and budget, plus the unsigned OBM Budget Form 1.)

The subject line of the email should read:

    Basic Competitive Grant Application for <Your District Name>

3.    Snail mail ONE ORIGINAL of the signed application cover page and signed OBM Form 1. This paperwork must be received at the NHDOE by no later than June 16, 2008.

Mail to:

Dr. Cathy Higgins

Office of Educational Technology

                NH Department of Education
                101 Pleasant St
                Concord, NH 03301

 

 

 

APPENDIX A:  REPORT of CURRENT U.S. CENSUS DATA

New Hampshire “High Need” School Districts

 

According to NCLB Title IID federal program guidelines dated March 11, 2002 (p.12) (see www.ed.gov/programs/edtech/legislation.html), funding should be targeted toward “high need districts.” These would be districts whose numbers or percentages of children from families with incomes below the poverty line are above the state median (see www.census.gov/hhes/www/saipe/) AND who have either one or more “schools in need of improvement” OR a substantial need for assistance in acquiring and using technology.  The following districts are eligible to apply for this round of NCLB Title II-D funds. Districts that are not listed here are not eligible to apply.

 

 

District

Total Pop.

Total Kids 5-17

Total Kids in Poverty 5-17

Poverty %

ALTON

4,919

777

85

10.9%

ANDOVER

2,274

378

44

11.6%

ASHLAND

2,037

212

23

10.8%

BARNSTEAD

4,246

761

78

10.2%

BARRINGTON

7,934

1,543

162

10.5%

BARTLETT *

2,959

438

55

12.5%

BERLIN *

10,660

1,531

231.5

15.1%

BETHLEHEM

2,284

187

37

19.8%

CAMPTON *

2,903

344

45

13.1%

CHESTER

4,036

863

57

6.6%

CLAREMONT

13,992

2,208

233

10.6%

COLEBROOK *

3,121

503

84

16.7%

CONCORD

39,334

6,128

596

9.7%

CONTOOCOOK VALLEY

18,698

3,817

407

10.7%

CONWAY *

10,772

1,641

215.5

13.1%

CROYDON

703

114

9

7.9%

DOVER

28,512

3,971

444

11.2%

EAST KINGSTON

1,898

219

18

8.2%

ERROL *

527

50

9

18.0%

EXETER

14,956

1,256

109

8.7%

FALL MOUNTAIN REGIONAL

12,362

2,112

250

11.8%

FARMINGTON *

7,650

1,516

100

6.6%

FRANKLIN

9,062

1,534

316

20.6%

GILMANTON

3,339

568

45

7.9%

GORHAM *

3,673

577

58

10.1%

GOSHEN LEMPSTER COOP

1,821

322

36

11.2%

GOV WENTWORTH REGIONAL

17,912

2,895

285

9.8%

GREENLAND

3,413

631

67

10.6%

HAMPTON

15,891

1,734

147

8.5%

HINSDALE

4,273

776

79

10.2%

HOLDERNESS

2,000

230

26

11.3%

HOOKSETT

12,636

2,059

151

7.3%

INTER LAKES

8,978

1,401

122

8.7%

JAFFREY-RINDGE COOP

11,439

1,919

212

11.0%

KEENE

23,623

3,185

229

7.2%

LACONIA

17,985

2,722

333

12.2%

LAFAYETTE REGIONAL

1,806

136

14

10.3%

LEBANON

13,026

1,890

262

13.9%

LINCOLN-WOODSTOCK

2,497

365

26

7.1%

LISBON REGIONAL

2,149

362

37

10.2%

LITTLETON

6,052

1,017

133

13.1%

MADISON

2,155

381

25

6.6%

MANCHESTER

112,753

18,410

2,605

14.1%

MASCENIC REGIONAL

8,071

1,788

169

9.5%

MASCOMA VALLEY REGIONAL

10,078

1,617

128

7.9%

MERRIMACK VALLEY

16,255

2,871

272

9.5%

MILAN *

1,512

272.5

27.5

10.1%

MILFORD

14,262

2,804

191

6.8%

MILTON

4,145

802

113

14.1%

NASHUA

91,255

15,895

1,360

8.6%

NELSON

664

118

12

10.2%

NEW BOSTON

4,360

953

73

7.7%

NEWFOUND AREA

9,762

1,627

122

7.5%

NEWMARKET

8,540

1,283

135

10.5%

NEWPORT

6,669

1,216

227

18.7%

NORTHUMBERLAND

2,478

467

79

16.9%

OYSTER RIVER COOP

19,425

2,534

172

6.8%

PEMI-BAKER REGIONAL

17,220

739

63

8.5%

PITTSBURG *

1180

161

20

12.4%

PITTSFIELD

4,241

830

82

9.9%

PLYMOUTH

6,094

470

65

13.8%

PORTSMOUTH

22,112

2,565

325

12.7%

PROFILE

4,090

312

51

16.3%

RAYMOND

10,292

2,148

185

8.6%

RIVENDELL INTERSTATE

1,131

153

17

11.1%

ROCHESTER

30,181

5,131

697

13.6%

ROLLINSFORD

2,805

476

44

9.2%

RUMNEY

1,534

201

39

19.4%

SEABROOK

8,441

887

112

12.6%

SHAKER REGIONAL

9,477

1,652

127

7.7%

SOMERSWORTH

12,171

2,126

230

10.8%

STEWARTSTOWN

1,029

161

14

8.7%

STODDARD

972

136

15

11.0%

STRATFORD

957

156

38

24.4%

THORNTON

1,914

217

27

12.4%

UNITY

1,628

220

32

14.5%

WAKEFIELD

4,619

795

76

9.6%

WARREN

905

156

25

16.0%

WASHINGTON

952

147

11

7.5%

WATERVILLE VALLEY

266

40

4

10.0%

WENTWORTH

827

118

17

14.4%

WHITE MOUNTAIN REGIONAL

8,044

1,311

149

11.4%

WINCHESTER

4,338

733

114

15.6%

 

 

APPENDIX B: Application Format & Content for

Professional Development Grants

IMPORTANT: Applications that do not follow these page requirements will not be read! Single district applications are allowed a narrative and budget using no more than 3 single-spaced pages and with 10 - 12 point font size. Please use extra spacing between paragraphs for readability. Partnership applications are allowed a maximum of 4 single-spaced pages with 10-12 point font size.

 

1.     Project Abstract - Although there are no points attributed to this item, it is very important! You MUST include a clear and concise abstract (max 75 words) to describe the project. Your abstract should be included in your cover page and is not counted within the 14 page maximum page limit. Your abstract is your “sound bite” to be used for the awards announcement. It is also the first thing that reviewers will read. Proposals without abstracts will not be considered.

2.     Professional Development – Describe the professional development activities that will support the project goals and what improvements you expect to see as a result of that professional development:

·    Clear articulation of need for this professional development & measurable goals of the proposed professional development.

·    Standards that are a foundation for your professional development plans (i.e. ISTE, NSDC) and specific reference to research that supports the proposed professional development.

·    The type, quantity, focus, target audience for the PD, and any follow-up activities. (Partnership applications must indicate any differences between districts in terms of the services to be provided.).

·    The number of teachers in each collaborative team expected to participate in the proposed professional development. (Partnership applications must break out participation numbers per district.)

·    How the professional development program is intended to influence student performance improvements.

·    You may include a modest amount of digital tools (equipment & software) within this budget. If you intend to purchase digital tools, describe how such tools are integral to the proposed professional development.

3.     Budget Narrative and Totals – Format your budget with the narrative in left column and total amounts in right column. Provide enough specifics to give reviewers an idea of what you intend to purchase and why it is needed. You may include a modest amount of equipment within this budget, if such equipment is integral to the proposed professional development. PD applications that primarily request hardware will not be considered.

Budget (Describe as appropriate)

TOTAL

Hardware - Includes digital tools like laptops, handhelds, etc.

Add your narrative below each category title and show how you calculated your total amount proposed for the budget category.

 

Software - Includes digital tools like web based applications, etc.

 

Professional Development - Includes teacher stipends, summer conference registration fees, etc.

 

Other - Use this budget category to itemize and describe purchases that do not align well to the above categories.

 

Indirect Cost (per approved 2007-08 district rates posted at http://www.ed.state.nh.us/education/data/misc.htm)

 

TOTAL

 

 

 

APPENDIX C: Application Format & Content for

Pilot Projects

IMPORTANT: Applications that do not follow these page requirements will not be read! Single district applications are allowed a narrative and budget using no more than 10 single-spaced pages and with 10 - 12 point font size. Please use extra spacing between paragraphs for readability. Partnership applications are allowed a maximum of 14 single-spaced pages with 10-12 point font size.

 

4.     Project Abstract - Although there are no points attributed to this item, it is very important! You MUST include a clear and concise abstract (max 75 words) to describe the project. Your abstract should be included in your cover page and is not counted within the 14 page maximum page limit. Your abstract is your “sound bite” to be used for the awards announcement. It is also the first thing that reviewers will read. Proposals without abstracts will not be considered.

5.     Project Description (max 35 points) – Describe what your district (or partnership) will do with the funds if received. In addition to a clear description of the activities to be undertaken, also include:

Goals - Clear articulation of measurable proposal goals linked to local Tech Plan.

Scope of Work – Specific, bulleted list of the work to be performed and the products and outcomes of the project clearly articulated. (Partnership applications must describe the intended scope of work and outcomes within each participating district and the role that any non-district partners play.)

Digital Tools – Identify which digital tools will be the focus of this project and how the tools are intended to support project goals.

NH Standards – Describe how this proposal supports student achievement by addressing specific NH curriculum standards and ICT Literacy program standards. Include which standards and which grade levels will be involved in project activities.

Needs Assessment – Describe the needs that led you to develop this proposal and include how you identified the needs. Include research citations that support your assumption that the proposed digital tools can help you meet your identified needs. (Partnership applications must also describe how needs of participating districts will be better served through the partnership than through single district applications.)

6.     Professional Development (max 25 points) – Describe the professional development activities that will support the project goals and what improvements you expect to see as a result of that professional development. Include such items as:

·    Clear articulation of measurable goals of the proposed professional development.

·    Standards that are a foundation for your professional development plans (i.e. ISTE, NSDC) and specific reference to research that supports the proposed professional development.

·    The type, quantity, focus, target audience for, and follow-up of the professional development. (Partnership applications must indicate any differences between districts in terms of the services to be provided.).

·    The number and/or percent of teachers expected to participate this year. (Partnership applications must break out participation numbers per district.)

·    How the professional development program will influence student performance improvements.

7.     Capacity for Success (max 10 points) - Describe why this is the right kind and size of project for your district(s), and what structures, policies, and/or procedures are in place or planned that support this proposal. We suggest referring to the NETS Essential Conditions (see More Links section above). Include such items as:

·    Who (describe roles, not individual names please) will be responsible for conducting the work. (Partnership applications must list key roles responsible for the work at each participating district or organization.)

·    What structures, resources, policies, and procedures are already in place or proposed that will support this project and/or enhance its sustainability.

·    Evidence that this plan is realistic and that the school or organization has the capacity to achieve its objectives. (Partnership applications must indicate evidence of capacity at each participating district or organization.)

8.     Evaluation (max 20 points) - Describe the process you will follow to evaluate this grant, referring to the Collaborative Evaluation Guide (see More Information section above). Include such items as:

·    What critical questions do you want to answer about the impact of your project?

·    Who will be involved in order to complete the evaluation?

·    Who within your school community needs to learn about your evaluation findings and what difference might the knowledge make?

·    How will you plan for and collect relevant data?

·    How will you make sense of your findings and use those finding to make improvements? (Partnership applications must show evidence of collaboration with all partners to ensure dissemination of findings will lead to further program impact and improvements at all participating districts.)

9.     Budget Narrative and Totals (max 10 points) – Format your budget with the narrative in left column and total amounts in right column. Within the narrative, describe a logical connection to the project goals. Provide enough specifics to give reviewers an idea of what you intend to purchase and why it is needed for the project. The budget does not need to identify brand names of equipment or include “to the penny” prices. Applications that primarily request hardware without identifying the needs to be met will not be considered for funding. The narrative should include:

·         Justification for the major expenditures proposed, especially salaries.

·         Explanation of any items on the budget sheet that might not be completely clear to a reader. (Partnership applications must itemize with enough detail to indicate how all districts are well served by participating in the partnership.)

 

Budget (Describe as appropriate)

TOTAL

Hardware - Includes digital tools like laptops, handhelds, etc.

Add your narrative below each category title and show how you calculated your total amount proposed for the budget category.

 

Software - Includes digital tools like web based applications, etc.

 

Professional Development - Includes teacher stipends, workshop facilitation, etc.

 

Other - Use this budget category to itemize and describe purchases that do not align well to the above categories.

 

Indirect Cost (per approved 2007-08 district rates posted at http://www.ed.state.nh.us/education/data/misc.htm)

 

TOTAL

 

 

 

APPENDIX D: Selection Process for
Professional Development Grants

 
 
Scoring Rubric for Professional Development Grants

Criteria

Poor

Average

Above Average

Excellent

Project Abstract – The abstract included is clear and concise (75 words or less). No editing is necessary to use it for publicizing the awards list.

 

No

 

Yes

 

Professional Development – Describe how funds dedicated to professional development will be allocated and the improvements you expect to see as a result of that PD.

0

7.5

9

10

· Are PD needs and goals clearly described?

0

7.5

9

10

· Are PD standards identified? Are applicable research citations included?

0

7.5

9

10

· Are the numbers of teachers in each collaborative team clear and reasonable?

0

7.5

9

10

· Is the connection between PD program and student performance improvements clear?

0

7.5

9

10

·        If equipment & software is included, is it integral to the PD?

0

7.5

9

10

Professional Development – Total Score (MAX is 60):

 

 

 

 

 

Budget Narrative and Amounts – The budget should demonstrate a logical connection to the described goals and should be specific enough to give reviewers an idea of your priorities and focus for funding. The budget does not need to identify brand names of equipment or include “to the penny” prices.

0

7.5

9

10

· Is justification for major expenditures (especially salaries) reasonable?

0

7.5

9

10

· Does the budget plan match the project goals?

0

7.5

9

10

·        Explanation of items that won’t be immediately obvious to someone reading your proposal for the first time.

0

7.5

9

10

Budget – Total Score (MAX is 40):

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL SCORE (MAX is 100):

 

 

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX E: Selection Process for
Pilot Projects

 
 
Scoring Rubric for Pilot Projects

 

Criteria

Poor

Average

Above Average

Excellent

Project Abstract – The abstract included is clear and concise (75 words or less). No editing is necessary to use it for publicizing the awards list.

 

No

 

Yes

 

Program Description – Describe what your district (or partnership) will do with the funds if received. In addition to a clear description of the activities to be undertaken, points will be assigned for:

· Are the goals clearly articulated and measurable?

· Is the Scope of Work specific? Are the products and outcomes identified?

· Are the digital tools identified and described as to how they will support the project goals?

· Does the project support NH curriculum and ICT standards?

· Are the needs clearly identified? Are there appropriate research citations?

0

15

25

35

    Program Description – Total Score (MAX is 35):

 

 

 

 

 

Professional Development – Describe how funds dedicated to professional development will be allocated and the improvements you expect to see as a result of that PD.

· Are PD goals clearly described?

· Are PD standards identified? Are applicable research citations included?

· Is the number (or %) of teachers expected to participate this year clear and reasonable?

· Is the connection between PD program and student performance improvements clear?

0

15

20

25

Professional Development – Total Score (MAX is 25):

 

 

 

 

 

Capacity for Success - Describe why this is the right kind and size of plan for your district, and what structures, policies, and/or procedures are in place that support this plan.  

· Have the parties responsible for conducting the work been identified?

· Are structures, resources, policies, and procedures in place or proposed?

· Is the plan realistic? Does capacity exist to achieve objectives?

0

3

6

10

Capacity for Success – Total Score (MAX is 10):

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation - Describe the process you will follow to determine if the goals described in the proposal are achieved.

· Are the primary focus areas and specific measurements identified?

· Are the participants and their roles identified?

· How will findings to be reported to stakeholders and used for program improvements?

· How will data be collected?

· Will the evaluation plan reflect student performance gains?

0

7

14

20

Evaluation – Total Score (MAX is 20):

 

 

 

 

 

Budget Narrative and Amounts – The budget should demonstrate a logical connection to the described goals and should be specific enough to give reviewers an idea of your priorities and focus for funding. The budget does not need to identify brand names of equipment or include “to the penny” prices.

· Is justification for major expenditures (especially salaries) reasonable?

· Does the budget plan match the project goals?

· Explanation of items that won’t be immediately obvious to someone reading your proposal for the first time.

0

3

6

10

Budget – Total Score (MAX is 10):

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL SCORE (MAX is 100):