IMPACT Model School Grant RFP

Division of Instructional Technologies
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

Mailing Address:
6364 Mail Service Center
301 N. Wilmington Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-2825
Contact Information
(919) 807-3270
FAX: (919) 807-3290
e-mail: wsmith@dpi.state.nc.us
Web site:http://www.ncwiseowl.org/it/

Intent to Apply Due:	5 p.m., October 20, 2006
Final Applications Due:	5 p.m., February 2, 2007
Grants awarded:	May 2007 State Board of Education meeting
Grant implementation:	2007-2008 school year

I. Background

The IMPACT model, comprising a fully funded media and technology program, including personnel, resources, and access, recognizes that effective school library media and instructional technology programs support both effective teaching and learning.. These programs are essential to making education relevant. The model is outlined in IMPACT: Guidelines for North Carolina Media and Technology Programs (http://www.ncwiseowl.org/impact/) and is aligned to Information Power: Building Powerful Partnerships, the national standards for media and technology programs. Based on valid research and reflecting the recommendations of the revised North Carolina Educational Technology Plan (2005-2009), the IMPACT model acknowledges the importance of staffing each school in North Carolina with both a school library media coordinator and an instructional technology facilitator. Further, it assures that the media and technology resources and conditions necessary to support the teaching and learning process are present The Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) grant is intended to provide the funding and technical assistance to support Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in implementing the IMPACT model in one of their middle or high schools. Over a 2-year period, the goal of this model is to:

• Help middle and high school teachers integrate technology into their teaching practice by providing the technology personnel, resources, and access necessary to implement an Outstanding media and technology program as determined in the Evaluation Rubrics within IMPACT: Guidelines for North Carolina Media and Technology Programs (http://www.ncwiseowl.org/Impact/Research&eval.htm#evalrubrics )
• Provide the necessary personnel, resources, access, professional development, and student instruction to produce technologically literate students by the eighth grade, to continue to assist students in the acquisition and application of technology skills in the high school environment, and to have a significant impact on the academic achievement of the school's student population.
• Study the IMPACT Model as it is implemented in the middle and high school setting.

Eligible LEAs may apply by first submitting the following no later than 5pm, Friday, October 20, 2006:

• A letter of intent outlining:
  1. Designated middle or high school
  2. Media and Technology Advisory Committee/School Improvement Team members who will be assisting in the writing of the grant
  3. Analysis of the School Technology Needs Assessment (STNA) conducted at the school level. http://www.serve.org/seir-tec/_evaluation/stna.html
• Written verification of consultation with Regional Technology Consultant. This may occur at centrally located regional meetings.
• One-page description of vision for making designated school an IMPACT school
• Letter of commitment from LEA superintendent and principal of designated school

II. General Grant Information

The following information is common to all applications.

Eligibility

• LEAs eligible to apply for the Enhancing Education Through Technology Competitive Grant will be notified by Instructional Technology Division personnel in September 2006.
• Eligibility* is based on federal guidelines of (A) is among the local educational agencies in a State with the highest numbers or percentages of children from families with incomes below the poverty line; and (B)(i) operates one or more schools identified under section 1116; or (ii) has a substantial need for assistance in acquiring and using technology; or (C) receives an EETT formula grant amount that is not of sufficient size to be effective or consistent with the purposes of NCLB EETT.

*High technology need formula is based on information provided NCDPI in the school's/LEA's 2006 Annual Media and Technology Report

• Based on USAC rural/urban designations of eligible LEAs, funding will be awarded:
  • 25% urban LEAs
  • 75% rural LEAs
• LEAs must have a current SBE-approved educational technology plan that is aligned with the North Carolina Educational Technology Plan.
• LEAs/schools must have submitted all required state and federal yearly/end-of-the-year 2005-2006 reports
• Only one* IMPACT proposal per LEA will be accepted. Schools must be a middle school with grades 5-8 or a high school. School may be a middle/high school combination with grades 7-12.

*LEAs are encouraged to select the strongest proposal if more than one school wishes to participate.

• CIPA certification as outlined in NCLB/EETT Guidance.[1]

Collaborative Partners

It is recommended that Eligible LEAs form two "eligible local partnerships." [2] Extra points will be awarded to applications that include a partnership formed with an ineligible LEA.

• Collaborative partners should provide consultation, staff development, instruction, access, and/or resources that support the unique needs and vision of the school program as specified in the grant proposal.
• While DPI recommends at least two partnerships, it also requires that eligible LEAs provide primary leadership in the design and implementation of the grant based on their unique needs and vision. Partners should contribute in a supporting role.
• Grantee LEAs must be fiscal agent of this grant.

Amount of Awards

• Awards will be based on the quality of the grant proposal as determined by outside reviewers and NCDPI, with a maximum award of $550,000 per school.* Grants may provide funding for instructional technology personnel, but not school library media personnel. (LEAs must guarantee media position funding to be considered for grant.)
• Funding will be based on Average Daily Membership of the school
• Funding will be based on the following:
  • 1 technology facilitator for up to 1000 students – Based on average salary of $55,000.00
  • 1 technician  – Based on average salary of $36,000.00
  • $200.00 per student for hardware, software, etc.
  • 10% for outside evaluation using NCDPI recommended evaluators
  • 25% for staff development in year 1.

*The minimum amount initially stated was based on a school size of 500 or more. This has been removed due to the small size of eligible schools. The ADM should be used to determine the minimum amount of funding.

Length of Funding

Funding begins at the time of grant approval. Enhancing Education Through Technology funds must be expended by September 30, 2008. Renewal in following years is contingent upon available federal funds, site visits/evaluations, submission of annual performance reports, updated budgets, requested data submissions and adherence to the program as outlined in the school proposal.

Applicants Responsibilities and Commitments

Superintendents and finance officers of participating LEAs must agree to all assurances on the Cover Sheet and provide the necessary signatures. Superintendents must agree that financial resources provided under the Enhancing Education Through Technology grant will supplement, not supplant, state and local funds and be used only for the purposes of this grant.

Grant Questions

Questions about the grant and submission process should be submitted by email to Wynn Smith at wsmith@dpi.state.nc.us   Questions and answers will be posted at the Instructional Technology Division Web site http://www.ncwiseowl.org/it/

Technical Assistance

Staff from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction will be available to give assistance to LEAs in the design and implementation of both the No Child Left Behind formula and competitive grant applications. Two types of assistance are available:

• Face-to-Face:

Appointments for grant writing consultation can be scheduled with Instructional Technology Regional Consultants. Consultation may occur at regionally scheduled meetings. LEAS should contact their regional technology consultant as follows:

Southwest  Region
Mary Lou Daily
mdaily@dpi.state.nc.us

Northwest Region
Melanie Honeycutt
mhoneycutt@dpi.state.nc.us

South Central Region
Camp Price
919 807-3268
cprice@dpi.state.nc.us

North Central Region
Annemarie Timmerman
919 807-3267
atimmerm@dpi.state.nc.us

Southeast Region
Acacia Dixon
910-755-7300 ext. 526
adixon@dpi.state.nc.us

Northeast Region
Kerry Mebane
252-328-0881
kmebane@dpi.state.nc.us

• Additionally, online technical assistance is offered via the Instructional Technology Division Website, http://www.ncwiseowl.org/it/

Throughout the NCLB/EETT grant review, implementation, and evaluation, staff from the NCDPI Instructional Technology Division will be working closely with LEAs to provide technical assistance as evidenced and requested. Instructional Technology Director, Frances Bradburn, and Section Chief for Educational Technology Implementation and Planning Services, Wynn Smith, are responsible for the SEA NCLB/EETT grant implementation and evaluation.

Required Program Activities

The focus of North Carolina's EETT competitive grant is full implementation of the IMPACT model in a single school within an eligible LEA, based on IMPACT: Guidelines for North Carolina Media and Technology Programs, published by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. (www.ncwiseowl.org/impact/) Overall implementation of the grant is based on recommendations found in the 2005-2009 North Carolina Educational Technology Plan (http://www.ncwiseowl.org/it/planning.htm) and described in IMPACT: Guidelines for North Carolina Media and Technology Programs.
Required components of an IMPACT school that must be included in the grant application:

• The hiring of a full-time, certified Instructional Technology Facilitator for up to 1000 students , whose position is based on the NCDPI-approved job description  (Technology Facilitator may be eligible for certification* during the 2007 school year.)

*077 or 079 certification required

• Written guarantee of continued employment of a full-time, certified School Library Media Coordinator (s) based on staffing recommendations in IMPACT: Guidelines for North Carolina Media and Technology Programs
• The hiring of a full-time technician
• Written guarantee of employment of a full-time media assistant
• The meeting of the state's hardware and resources recommendations in classrooms, media center, and computer lab(s) as delineated in the revised 2005-2009 North Carolina Educational Technology Plan* (http://www.ncwiseowl.org/it/planning.htm)

*This includes providing each teacher with a computer and projection device (Exceptions to this decision must be carefully documented.

• An LEA plan for implementing a Total Cost of Ownership model for technology funding within this IMPACT school (http://www.ncwiseowl.org/it/amtr.htm)
• A certified budget* based on a collection development plan, for the school library media center that guarantees funding for a collection of up-to-date, accurate, developmentally appropriate resources using accepted cataloging standards in the media center that can be accessed by all teachers and students

*EETT grant money cannot be used to buy print resource however, it can be used to purchase. technology-based resources.

• Implementation of adequate connectivity (based on partnership with E-rate if school/LEA is eligible), as determined by LEA documentation and 2005-2009 North Carolina Educational Technology Plan (http://www.ncwiseowl.org/it/amtr.htm)
• Implementation or continuation of a Media and Technology Advisory Committee (MTAC) that assists in all budget, program, and resources decision-making for grant implementation. OR
• Collaboration* between the applicant's School Improvement Team and the MTAC in the design and implementation of this grant.

*Both the media coordinator and the instructional technology facilitator should sit on the applicant's School Improvement Team. MTAC may be incorporated as part of the School Improvement Team, but its minutes must be highlighted as such within the SIT minutes.

• Guarantee of flexible access to both the school library media center and at least 1 computer lab.
•  Proposed or actual school schedule, reflecting flexibly accessed media center and computer lab(s), must be submitted with grant application.
• Team meetings for collaborative planning that include the media coordinator and technology facilitator identified within the schedule at time of grant submission.
• Professional development plan* designed to assist in implementing the IMPACT model. All professional development should follow the NC DPI Professional Development Guidelines and Standards (http://www.ncpublicschools.org/profdev/guidelines/) This professional development plan must account for 25% of grant funding in year 1. Training must include:
  • Integration of technology resources into core curriculum content areas
  • 21st Century Skills including the Information and Computer Skills curricula
  • The collaboration process
  • Change management
  • Differentiated learning styles
  • Professional learning communities
  • Activities should align to the School Improvement Plan
  • Emerging technologies in support of 21st Century Skills.

*Recipients of grant will be required to attend IMPACT Academies sponsored by NCDPI as they begin grant implementation.

• At least one online learning initiative* for students and/or teachers.

*Online learning initiatives may qualify as collaborative partners or be school-initiated only.

• An after-school, community-based partnership* that may include an adult literacy service provider, to meet the needs of at-risk students, as well as adult community members, who lack access to media and technology resources.

*If this element is not present, applicant must document other after school/community-based opportunities available

• Description of how the IMPACT model will impact the retention rate of highly qualified teachers.
• Evaluation
  • A signed assurance that LEA and IMPACT school will partner with the state's outside evaluator(s) to make personnel and information available to meet the evaluation schedule and activities according to state and/or federal deadlines. (See Form A)
  • A guarantee that up to, but not more than, 10% of grant will be used to pay for state-identified outside evaluator. (See Form A)
  • A commitment to undertake meaningful formative evaluation throughout the grant process as directed by NCDPI.

Other areas of Emphasis:

Applicants are encouraged to consider including one or more of a wide range of technology-based programs and resources such as:

• NCIH facility
• Additional online courses/initiatives
• 1:1 initiative
• TV studio
• Community Technology Learning Center
• QTL
• Intel Teach to the Future training

Evaluation

The North Carolina Educational Technology Plan has been designed to reflect North Carolina's Strategic Plan for Future Ready Schools for the 21st Century. To achieve the state education goal of First in America by 2010, the educational technology vision and recommendations will follow the recommendations by Governor Easley's Education First Task Force for the hallmarks of excellence, the strategic use of resources, and preparing graduates of North Carolina Schools. This will be done by supporting and enhancing the single priority of the North Carolina State Board of Education that every public school student will graduate from high school, globally competitive for work and postsecondary education and prepared for life in the 21st Century.

Goal 1:  Globally Competitive Students

• Every student excels in rigorous and relevant core curriculum that reflects what students need to know and demonstrate in a global 21st Century environment, including a mastery of languages, an appreciation of the arts, and competencies in the use of technology.
• Every student’s achievement is measured with an assessment system that informs instruction and evaluates knowledge, skills, performance, and dispositions needed in the 21st Century.
• Every student will be enrolled in a course of study designed to prepare them to stay ahead of international competition.
• Every student uses technology to access and demonstrate new knowledge and skills that will be needed as a life-long learner to be competitive in a constantly changing international environment.
• Every student has the opportunity to graduate from high school with an Associates Degree or college transfer credit.

Goal 2:  21st  Century Professionals

• Teachers have the skills to deliver 21st Century content in a 21st Century context with 21st Century tools and technology that guarantees student learning.
• Teachers and administrators use a 21st Century assessment system to inform instruction and measure 21st Century knowledge, skills, performance, and dispositions.
• Education professionals will receive preparation in the interconnectedness of the world with knowledge and skills, including language study.
• Education professionals have 21st Century preparation and access to ongoing high quality professional development aligned with State Board of Education priorities.

Goal 3: Healthy, Responsible Students

• Learning environments are inviting, respectful, supportive, inclusive, and flexible for student success.
• Every school provides an environment in which each child has positive, nurturing relationships with caring adults.
• Every school promotes a healthy, active lifestyle where students are encouraged to make responsible choices.
• Every school focuses on developing strong student character, personal responsibility, and community/world involvement.
• Every school reflects a culture of learning that empowers and prepares students to be life-long learners.

Goal 4: Leadership for Innovation

• Schools collaborate with national and international partners to discover innovative transformational strategies that will facilitate change, remove barriers for 21st Century learning, and understand global connections.
• Schools create a culture that embraces change as dynamic continuous improvement.
• Education decisions are made in collaboration with parents, students, businesses, education institutions, and faith-based and other community and civic organizations to impact student success.
• The public schools collaborate with community colleges and public and private universities and colleges to provide enhanced educational opportunities for students.

Goal 5: 21st Century Systems

• Processes are in place for financial planning and budgeting that focus on resource attainment and alignment with priorities to maximize student achievement.
• Twenty-first century technology and learning tools are available and are supported by school facilities that have the capacity for 21st  Century learning.
• Information and fiscal accountability systems are capable of collecting relevant data and reporting strategic and operational results.
• Procedures are in place to support and sanction schools that are not meeting state standards for student achievement.

Data sources used to assess the effectiveness of the program in improving access to and use of educational technology by students and teachers in support of academic achievement:

• Annual Media and Technology Report
• Site visits by regional consultants
• LEA profile sheets completed by regional consultants
• Eighth grade computer skills test results
• End of grade and end of course test results
• Evaluator reports for programs implemented with EETT funds
• Total Cost of Ownership tool
• Data provided to outside evaluators designated by NC DPI
• IMPACT rubrics found in IMPACT: Guidelines for North Carolina Media and Technology Programs

Competitive Priorities

Competitive Priority 1: Eligible schools/LEAs that did not receive adequate technology formula funding in 2005-2006 grant funding cycle

Competitive Priority 2: Grants that involve two or more partnerships

Additional Points*

• Additional points will be added to grants that align formula grant to competitive grant initiatives, OR that align competitive grant to Title I and/or Title II initiatives.
• Additional points also will be added to applications that form a collaborative partnership with one or more ineligible LEAs.
• Additional points will be added to schools that are Priority Schools.
• Additional points for schools that are implementing current school-level technology plans aligned to their LEA plan. This plan may be a component of the School Improvement Plan.
• Additional points for high schools implementing research-based reform models

*Range of 1-3 points for each category, based on reviewers' evaluation of quality of overall proposal.

Completing and Submitting the Proposal

Carefully read the entire application package before beginning to prepare an IMPACT application. This package clearly identifies who is eligible to apply for this grant, what applicants must propose to do, what must be contained in the application, and what criteria will be used to evaluate applications.

Applications must be submitted both electronically (MSWord or RTF format) and in hard copy by established deadlines. Text should be double-spaced, in Times or Times New Roman font, 10 or 12 point; with 1 inch margins on all sides. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in automatic elimination.

Completed applications must contain the following sections* in the order provided:

• Cover Page
  
• Signed Assurances Page (Form A)
  
• CIPA Certification (Form B)
  
• Program Summary/Abstract (1 page, Double spaced)
  
• Single page Table of Contents
  
• Program Narrative
  • Applicants must limit their program narrative to no more than 20 double-spaced pages. Applications that fail to follow this guideline will be eliminated automatically.
  • Text should be double-spaced; in Times or Times New Roman font; 10 or 12 point; 1 inch margins on all sides.
  • While writing the program narrative, applicants should address each item of the selection criteria that will be used to evaluate applications.

*Selection Criteria include: Need for project (20 points); Quality of Project Design (20 points); Adequacy of resources (20 points); Quality of the Management Plan (20 points); Plan for Sustainability (20 points)

• Budget Form (Form C) and Budget Narrative
  • Use the enclosed form to provide a complete budget summary for the project.
  • Provide a brief budget narrative that explains:
    • The basis for estimating the costs of professional personnel salaries,benefits, project staff travel, materials and supplies, consultants and subcontracts, indirect costs, and any projected expenditures.
    • How the major cost items relate to the proposed activities.
    • The cost of evaluation.
    • A detailed description explaining in-kind support or funding provided by partners in the project.
• Appendix: Each application may be accompanied by an appendix, which should be limited to the following:
  • Letters of commitment from partners delineating their role in the project
  • School schedule indicating a flexibly accessed school library media center and computer lab(s), as well as blocks of time for collaborative planning
  • School library media center collection development plan
  • Certified media center budget
  • Bibliography 

Submitting a Proposal
Please submit the following versions of your proposal by 5p.m., February 2, 2007:

• 1 digital or Web URL
• 1 original paper copy
• 3 paper copies

All applications must be received in the Division of Instructional Technology offices by this time. This closing date and procedures for guaranteeing timely submission will be strictly observed. No supplemental or revised information from applicants will be accepted after the closing date, or after an application has been submitted. Applications delivered by hand before the deadline date will be accepted daily except Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays between the hours of 8a.m. and 4p.m., with the exception of Monday, February 2, 2007, when the time will be 8a.m. to 5p.m.

Submissions should be mailed to the following address:

IMPACT Grant
Attn.: Division of Instructional Technology
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Mailing Address: 6364 Mail Service Center
Street Address: 301 N. Wilmington St.
Raleigh, NC 27699-6364

Applications delivered by hand must be brought to the Division of Instructional Technology on the 5th floor, NCDPI, 301 N. Wilmington St., Raleigh between the hours of 8am and 4pm, with the exception of Monday, February 2, 2007, when the time will be 8am to 5pm.

Review Process

An out-of-state team selected by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction will review the materials to ensure that they meet state and federal criteria and standards. Reviewers will recommend proposals as either (1) Approved for funding; (2) Approved requiring modifications or clarifications as identified by the reviewers; or (3) Not recommended for funding.

III. Selection Criteria for Grant Applications

NCDPI will use five (5) criteria to evaluate applications for funding. The relative weights for each criterion are indicated in parentheses.

1. Need for project (20 points)
2. Quality of Project Design (20 points)
3. Adequacy of resources (20 points)
4. Quality of the Management Plan (20 points)
5. Plan for Sustainability (20 points)

Finalists for the grant will be brought to NCDPI in March for an interview with project reviewers. Final decision on grant recipients will be based on this interview in conjunction with the grant application itself. The decision of project reviewers is final.