Alabama 21Alabama Department of Education

Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT)Competitive Grant Guidance

District Application Due: November 1, 2010 through eGAP System

The Title II, Part D-Enhancing Education through Technology (EETT) Program was signed into law with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-110).

The EETT program’s design is to achieve the following three goals:1) To improve student academic achievement through the use of education technology,2) To ensure that every student is technologically literate by the eighth grade, and3) To encourage the effective integration of technology in teacher training and curriculum

development to establish research-based instructional methods that can be widely implemented as best practices.

Title II, Part D, Subpart 1 (EETT) requires that the competitive grant be awarded to high-need Local Education Agencies (LEAs) (or partnerships that include a high-need LEA and at least one entity that can assist the high-need LEA) to integrate technology effectively into classroom instruction. A high-need LEA: (1) serves concentrations of high poverty students; and (2) has a substantial need for assistance in acquiring and using technology. A list of eligible school districts for the EETT Competitive Grant is available from the Alabama Department of Education. EETT requires priority be given to LEAs receiving a formula allocation too small to carry out the purpose of the program. To meet this requirement, five extra points will be added to the grant score for those LEAs that will be allocated $25,000 or less in EETT Formula funds.

21 st Century School Reform Research

Restructuring our nation’s struggling schools is critical to America’s success in the global economy. Approximately 1.23 million students fail to graduate from high school each year (Alliance for Excellent Education, 2007). Forty-seven percent of students surveyed stated that a major reason for dropping out of school was that classes were not interesting (Gates, 2006).

Approaching school reform through a systemic look at 21st Century classrooms enables educators to seek new ways to engage students using technology to transform teaching and learning. According to research, a lack of student engagement is a predictor for dropping out of school even after accounting for student background and academic achievement (Rumberger, 2004). Research also shows that engaged students learn, retain information, and enjoy learning at a higher rate than students who are not engaged (Dowson & McInerney, 2001; Hancock & Betts, 2002; Lumsden, 1994; Voke, 2002).

Schools should be equipped with the same futuristic technology tools (computer hardware, software, interactive whiteboards, and digital and online curricular resources) as those used in business and industry. Evidence clearly shows that districts that have implemented comprehensive, technology-rich educational reform programs have made significant progress in student engagement, achievement, and discipline, as well as teacher quality, retention, and preparation. Technology-rich high school reform programs are essential for reducing the dropout rate and preparing our students for the 21st Century workforce.

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Goal 1: All Alabama students, teachers, and

administrators will effectively use technology as an integrated tool for teaching, leading, and

learning to master local, state, and national standards.

Goal 2: All Alabama students, teachers, and

administrators will benefit from a broad range of educational opportunities and

resources through the use of technology.

Goal 3:All Alabama teachers and administrators benefit from high-quality, research-based professional development and supports

necessary to achieve local, state, and national standards and courses of study.

Goal 4: All Alabama students, teachers, and

administrators will have access to the appropriate technology resources and

infrastructure necessary to support teaching, leading and learning.

21st Century Learning Environment

Classrooms with 21st Century learning environments have a variety of tools for collaboration, presentation of information, and research. Upon entering a 21st Century learning environment, the visitor will see that interactive learning, higher-level thinking skills, and student engagement are pervasive, whether students are learning math, science, reading, or history. Using digital cameras, interactive whiteboards, robust courseware, digital content, and computers provides students with opportunities to collaborate and connect to the rich and relevant content that would not usually be available to the highest-need students served by traditional education programs. (See detailed list of components on page 7.)

However, 21st Century learning is more than just placing hardware and software in a classroom. The Partnership for 21st Century Skills, a coalition of business, education, and policy leaders, emphasizes that it is what the teacher DOES with the technology that transcends learning beyond traditional 20 th Century learning, and prepares the student for success in today’s world. While teaching content using 21 st Century tools is still vital, today’s graduate must also be able to collaborate, think critically, problem-solve, use the latest technologies, and understand global and civic issues in a personal way. Teaching in this new environment requires teachers to be facilitators of learning embedding the use of the appropriate 21 st

Century tools in the learning process seamlessly (Partnership for 21st Century Skills, 2006).

Alabama’s State Technology Plan Goals

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Alabama Department of Education Vision for the EETT Competitive Grant

It is the vision of the Alabama Department of Education (SDE) that school systems, state educators, and leaders leverage the unique powers of technology to provide challenging and stimulating learning opportunities for students. The SDE believes that seamless integration into the teaching and learning process and equitable access to the most up-to-date technology tools and applications will benefit students by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions essential to success in 21 st Century life and work.

The Alabama Department of Education through the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) Competitive Grant continues the 21st Century Classroom Initiative, Alabama 21. Alabama’s EETT Competitive Grant 21st Century Classroom Initiative will help provide Alabama’s students (Grades 7–12) with the knowledge and engagement in learning and skills needed to succeed in school and work. Alabama 21 reforms the traditional classroom instruction and student learning by using 21 st Century technologies as tools in classroom instruction and provides high quality professional development for classroom teachers. By ensuring that students are engaged in learning using 21 st Century technology tools, and teachers are trained to provide high quality instruction for the improvement of student achievement, this project expects to increase the number of students who continue their education from one grade to the next until graduation.

Purpose and Mission of the EETT Competitive Grant

The intent of Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) is to transform the instructional methods by training teachers to use 21st Century tools in order to increase the graduation rates and reduce dropout rates of Alabama students.

The LEA will identify curriculum subject and instructional needs in the 7–12 grade range and describe how grant funds will be used to apply 21st Century technology in these classrooms. The overall purpose is to reduce discipline referrals, increase graduation rates and attendance, as well as improve student learning and teacher instruction.

The mission of this grant program is to ensure that the infrastructure needed to meet the 21 st Century Classroom requirements is provided. Additionally, emerging technologies should be in place, training provided, and technology components implemented for the purposes of improving student achievement. It is expected that these innovations will improve graduation rates and reduce dropout rates.

Goal of the EETT Competitive Grant

The goal of the Alabama Department of Education through the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) Competitive Grant is to increase graduation rates by providing 21st Century Classrooms in Grades 7-12 to positively impact instruction, teacher training, and improve student achievement.

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Focus of the Alabama 21 Project – 21 st Century Environment Targeted to Improve Graduation Rate

EETT Competitive funds will be targeted:a) to show a difference statewide and nationally,b) to specific schools, grades, teachers and/or subject areas, andc) to model the 21st Century Classroom in Grades 7-12.

Eligibility Requirements for LEA Applicants (See Appendix A for approved Eligibility List)

Applicants for the EETT Competitive Grant must meet eligibility requirements: LEA serves over 1,400 or more poverty students, or LEAs that serve above the state poverty average based on the 2007 Census Data, and LEA has a substantial need for assistance in acquiring and using technology.

Professional Development (Minimum of 25% of EETT Competitive Allocation)

The 21st Century Classroom not only has modern tools, equipment, and content; but it includes a teacher trained to use the tools effectively. A well-trained teacher uses innovative teaching approaches that integrate the interactivity and deep engagement that technology brings to curriculum. Professional development is a critical factor in the success of the Alabama 21 project. The Alabama 21 project incorporates training at the statewide project level for all Alabama 21 grant recipients, as well as requiring ongoing professional development to be provided at the local Alabama 21 team level. On-going professional development supports the life-long growth of a teacher and helps maximize the potential of each teacher and ultimately each student. On-going professional development should not only train teachers how to use technology, but also how to integrate technology into the curriculum.

The local Alabama 21 Professional Development Team should include staff such as the district professional development coordinator, the district technology coordinator, the school library media specialists, , and the school level instructional technology coaches or mentors for collaboration in planning and co-teaching to help teachers utilize new practices and resources. Local Alabama 21 team training professional development is an integral and critical part of supporting the Alabama 21 teachers (teachers who receive 21st Century Classroom equipment) in this grant project. A set scope and sequence must be submitted and approved by the SDE and followed.

Teachers can engage in ongoing, job-embedded professional development through access to online courses, professional learning communities, web conferencing, and education portals with resources and lesson plans. Alabama 21 teachers should agree to minimum hours of ongoing professional development as defined by the school district in this grant application.

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Grant Requirements

1. Grant project must be:a. Consistent with State and District Technology Plan.b. Developed in consultation with other LEA Plans, such as the Continuous Improvement Plan

(CIP).c. Developed with parental involvement in the utilization of innovative strategies for the

delivery of specialized or rigorous academic courses and curriculum through the use of technology including distance learning technologies.

d. Aligned with state academic content and student academic achievement standards.

2. Need for the Project:a. The needs must be aligned with the 21st Century classroom model.b. The magnitude or severity of the problem to be addressed by the proposed project

(including identified gaps, barriers, or weaknesses) must be significant in nature.c. The needs of high poverty students must be addressed.d. The need for acquiring and/or using technology must be established for targeted

classrooms and Alabama 21 teachers.

3. The LEA must show compliance with the Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA) including educating minors about appropriate online behavior including cyber bullying awareness and response, and interacting with other individuals on social networking sites and in chat rooms.

4. The LEA cannot transfer EETT Competitive Grant funds to other federal programs and cannot amend the original grant application or budget to cover activities not outlined in the original grant application.

5. Professional Development:a. Twenty-five percent of the original allocation must be expended on professional

development activities as stated in grant.b. The LEA must identify a local Alabama 21 Professional Development Team that includes

staff such as the district professional development coordinator, the district technology coordinator, school level instructional technology coaches or mentors, and school library media specialists.

c. The local Alabama 21 Professional Development Team must participate in professional development to be able to train teachers for using the equipment and for integrating 21 st Century Classroom tools in core academic curriculum and instruction based upon clearly identified need.

d. The local Alabama 21 Professional Development Team will implement a local professional development scope and sequence approved by the Alabama Department of Education.

e. The principal of the targeted schools must agree to attend a one-day leadership technology training session provided by the Alabama Department of Education for the implementation of the grant to support teacher effectiveness to improve student achievement and submit an action plan for implementation of the grant at their school.

f. Alabama 21 teachers must agree to attend training for using the equipment and professional development for integrating 21st Century classroom tools in core academic curriculum and instruction.

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g. Professional development for the Alabama 21 teachers must:i. Include project-based learning in the classroom

ii. Comply with the Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA)iii. Provide a system for ongoing collaboration using networking technologiesiv. Align with the Alabama Standards for Effective Professional Developmentv. Target the needs and the goals of the Alabama 21 classroom teachers in terms of content

area, technology literacy/integration, instructional resources and toolsvi. Address student content area needs as identified through state-administered assessments

6. Evaluation and Dissemination of Promising Practices:a. The LEA must review the effectiveness of the action steps and activities schools are carrying

out with respect to integrating technology into curriculum and instruction, increasing the ability of teachers to teach, and enabling students to meet challenging state academic content and student achievement standards.

b. The LEA must submit required data throughout the grant as requested by the Alabama Department of Education to assure grant integrity and to comply with EETT requirements.

c. Alabama 21 teachers must agree to plan and teach units using ALEX (Alabama Learning Exchange Web portal) for research and to develop student-created projects.

d. The LEA must submit to the Alabama Department of Education a District Evaluation/Expenditure Report at the completion of the grant.

e. Alabama 21 teachers and/or administrators must submit an application and present their project at the Alabama Educational Technology Conference June 2011.

7. The LEA must participate in a state-led evaluation program of the Alabama 21 project for which 5% of the award must be budgeted for state evaluation.

8. The LEA must:a. Plan for sustainability when these funds are gone and state how the LEA will continue

implementing the 21st Century Classroom concept in other schools, grades, and/or core subjects, listing planned funding sources.

b. State succinctly and convincingly, strategies that will be implemented to promote school-wide reform by expanding the Alabama 21 concept into every classroom in the participating school.

9. Private Schools:a. The LEA must engage in timely and meaningful consultation with private school officials

during the design and development of programs.b. The LEA must continue the consultation throughout the implementation of the project.c. The LEA must provide equitable participation in the funding of the grant if private schools

elect to participate.d. The LEA must retain the title to equipment as well as track all equipment on the LEA

inventory that is purchased for private schools through this grant funding.e. The LEA must monitor, evaluate, and document services funded to private schools.

10. Timeline: EETT Competitive Grant Due: November 1, 2010 by 5:00 p.m. Central Time through the eGAP

system. EETT Competitive Grant Interviews via IVC for grants scoring in the top band will be scheduled

November 29-30, 2010, and must include the District Technology Coordinator, Principal(s), and District Professional Development Coordinator. If one of these persons is not available on the date and time assigned for the interview, the LEA Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent may be substituted for the interview process.

11. The LEA must provide a detailed timeline listing objectives, strategies, activities, and desired results, i.e., increased retention rates (students staying in school from one grade to the next) and graduation rates, of the project with targeted start and completion dates. This grant timeline must

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be uploaded into the eGAP document library in an individual folder and carefully titled so that readers can easily identify it. For Example: Budget ProcessAll of the following must be completed:

o eGAP Budgeto eGAP Assuranceso eGAP CIPA Assuranceo Core Equipment Checklist

The Core Equipment Checklist (page 10) must be uploaded into the eGAP document library in an individual folder and carefully titled so that readers can easily identify it.

Application Levels Available to LEAs (see Eligibility List)

Based upon the number of students in poverty an LEA serves, an LEA is eligible to apply for one of six grants in the amount of $112,416 (less $5,620 for state-led evaluation).

Alabama’s 21 st Century Classroom Core Equipment Components

Grant Options:The applicant must follow one of the following 21st Century classroom equipment models for implementation in targeted 7–12 grade classrooms:1. Mobile set of classroom computers for a one-to-one computer model shared among a maximum of

three classrooms or a minimum of 3:1 student-to-computer ratio in targeted classrooms plus core components.

2. One-to-one computer model for all students in targeted classrooms with 24/7 access plus core components.

3. One-to-one computer model for all students in targeted classrooms without 24/7 access plus core components.

Core Equipment Components: Teacher Laptop & Productivity Tools Presentation Device Collaborative Learning System (Interactive Whiteboard), LCD or Plasma TV‐ Projector (if needed for the presentation device or collaborative learning system) Learner Response Devices for Formative Assessment & Individualized Instruction or equivalent

software on student computers Document Camera Digital Camera and/or Video Camera Robust Software & Digital Content Printer or availability to networked printer

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Additional Elements to Consider Based Upon Location and Curricular Goals: Webcam for Teacher Computer Flash drives for each Student Audio System Courseware and Content Aligned to Standards and Curricular Goals Safe and Secure Communication & Community Building Tools with Web 2.0 Functionality for

Teacher and Administrator Cadres as well as Home/School Connections Formative Assessment for Individualization of Learning Student, Classroom, & School Data Collection, Management, & Reporting

SDE-Led Evaluation Items

Intervention Implementation Questions1. To what extent has the Alabama 21 Professional Development Model affected teacher practices in

the classroom?2. To what extent has the implementation of 21st Century tools and skills affected teacher practices

in the classroom?3. To what extent has the implementation of 21st Century tools and skills in the classroom increased

student engagement in learning?4. To what extent has the implementation of 21st Century tools and skills in the classroom increased

student performance?5. To what extent has the implementation of 21st Century tools and skills decreased selected student

at-risk factors: a.) attendance, b.) discipline referrals, c.) retention rates?

Outcome Questions1. Did the participating schools make adequate yearly progress, or move to delay status?2. Did the participating schools move out of improvement status?3. To what extent did the Alabama 21 Professional Development Model improve teacher confidence

(efficacy) with the use of technology in the learning environment?4. To what extent has the implementation of 21st Century tools and skills influenced teachers using

project-based learning in the learning environment?5. What is the percentage of increase of student engagement in the learning process and what are

the factors that significantly contribute to engagement?6. To what extent has involvement in the 21st Century Classroom model increased student

confidence (efficacy) in learning?7. To what extent has involvement in the 21st Century Classroom model increased student

confidence (efficacy) in the use of 21st Century tools and skills within the learning process?8. To what extent has the implementation of 21st Century tools and skills decreased selected student

at-risk factors: a.) attendance, b.) discipline referrals, c.) retention rates?

Suggested Project Design Components

Certain components, such as those listed below, are design elements that are included in high-quality grant projects. Incorporating these components will make your grant application more competitive. These elements are:

The proposed grant project is appropriate to, and will successfully address the needs of increasing the graduation rate for the targeted population and could address additional identified needs.

The design of the proposed grant project is to build capacity and yield results that will extend beyond the grant period to ensure the technology longevity (sustainability).

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The expansion plans for the Alabama 21 concept are realistic and innovative. The program activities directly relate to the program goals, local objectives, and requirements so

that school systems can leverage technology to provide challenging and stimulating learning opportunities for students.

The objectives, strategies, activities, and desired results of the project are clearly specified and measurable and are of sufficient scope to provide ongoing, sustained professional development for teachers, school principals, administrators, and library media personnel to further the effective use of technology in the classroom and media center.

The infrastructure needed to meet the 21st Century classroom requirements; emerging technologies and trainings to increase graduation for the LEA are ensured.

Designated minimum number of session topics that will be offered that address the major achievement gaps as identified through Continuous Improvement Plan.

Each school designates school-level instructional technology coaches or mentors who will participate in a minimum number of specified professional development activities and coordinate the project at the school level.

Collaboration, communication, and support such as:o Weekly collaboration time among Alabama 21 teachers.o Regular involvement/guidance/encouragement from principal(s).o Regular staff updates for all school staff to stay informed.o Opportunities to share with other schools in LEA.o Local Administration and Board of Education updates.

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Core Equipment Checklist

The following table should be completed and uploaded into the eGAP document library in individual folders and carefully titled so that readers can easily identify sources.

Equipment Quantity Funded with Grant

Already in Classroom

Not Applicable

Funded from Other

SourcesYes No Yes No

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List schools in your system identified for improvement or corrective action under Section 1116 or ESEA federal regulations;orDescribe how your system has a substantial need for assistance in acquiring and using 21st Century Technology to reform school instruction;orProvide a narrative describing the substantial need for assistance in acquiring and using 21st Century technology as related to at least one of the goals in Alabama IMPACT.List the participating schools, grades, subject areas, and number of participant teachers.

Improvement or Corrective Action

Name the system's grant partner and how the partner will provide assistance to meet the grant's goals and strategies to increase student achievement and increase graduation rates.Partnership

Describe the project design and relate predicted outcomes to the criteria for Use of Funds described in this guidance and connect both the design and use of funds to school reform for the purpose of reducing dropout rates and increased graduation rates. Describe how the school system will support and assist in the implementation of this grant.

Project DesignPredicted Outcomes

Desribe how the LEA's grant strategies funded by the FY10 ARRA funds will improve student academic achievement by integrating 21st Century classroom tools.

Student Achievement

Twenty-five percent (25%) of grant allocation is required for the LEA to expend on grant related professional development training for teachers, librarians, and administrators. Describe how the LEA will provide professional development for the classroom teacher for implementing the 21st Century Classroom tools and instructional practices.

Professional Development

Describe the evaluation plan/design for monitoring the implementation of the program on an ongoing basis and for determining whether the program met its stated goals and achieved the desired results based on the LEA's performance indicators.

Evaluation/Data Collection

Describe how the system will evaluate/monitor the participation of private school(s), if applicable.

Private School

Appendix A

Albertville City $112,416Alexander City $112,416Andalusia City $112,416Anniston City $112,416

Attalla City $112,416Baldwin County $112,416Barbour County $112,416Bessemer City $112,416Bibb County $112,416

Birmingham City $112,416Boaz City $112,416

Brewton City $112,416Bullock County $112,416Butler County $112,416

Calhoun County $112,416Chambers County $112,416Cherokee County $112,416

Chilton County $112,416Choctaw County $112,416Clarke County $112,416Clay County $112,416

Cleburne County $112,416Conecuh County $112,416

Coosa County $112,416Covington County $112,416Crenshaw County $112,416Cullman County $112,416

Dale County $112,416Daleville City $112,416Dallas County $112,416Decatur City $112,416

DeKalb County $112,416Demopolis City $112,416

Dothan City $112,416Elba City $112,416

Elmore County $112,416Escambia County $112,416Etowah County $112,416

Eufaula City $112,416Fayette County $112,416Florence City $112,416

Fort Payne City $112,416Franklin County $112,416Gadsden City $112,416Geneva City $112,416

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Geneva County $112,416Greene County $112,416

Hale County $112,416Haleyville City $112,416Henry County $112,416Huntsville City $112,416

Jefferson County $112,416Lamar County $112,416

Lanett City $112,416Linden City $112,416

Lowndes County $112,416Macon County $112,416

Madison County $112,416Marengo County $112,416Marion County $112,416

Marshall County $112,416Midfield City $112,416

Mobile County $112,416Monroe County $112,416

Montgomery County $112,416Opp City $112,416

Ozark City $112,416Perry County $112,416Phenix City $112,416

Pickens County $112,416Piedmont City $112,416Pike County $112,416

Randolph County $112,416Roanoke City $112,416

Russell County $112,416Russellville City $112,416Saraland City $112,416

Scottsboro City $112,416Selma City $112,416

Sheffield City $112,416Shelby County $112,416Sumter County $112,416Sylacauga City $112,416Talladega City $112,416

Talladega County $112,416Tallapoosa County $112,416

Tallassee City $112,416Tarrant City $112,416

Thomasville City $112,416Troy City $112,416

Tuscaloosa City $112,416Tuscaloosa County $112,416

Tuscumbia City $112,416Walker County $112,416

Washington County $112,416Wilcox County $112,416

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Winfield City $112,416Winston County $112,416

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