Background Information

http://burleson.tea.state.tx.us/GrantOpportunities/forms/GrantProgramSearch.aspx   Grant

Vision 2020 grants funded under NCLB Title II, Part D Enhancing Education Through Technology will focus on the best practices from earlier pilots implemented within the state of Texas educational technology arena such as the Virtual School Pilot (VSP) and the Technology Immersion Pilot (TIP).

The Technology Immersion Strand within the Vision 2020 grant will focus to immerse all students and teachers at a particular grade level on one or more campuses or all students and teachers on an entire campus. The Virtual Learning Strand will center on building capacity to participate in the state Texas State Virtual School Network (TxVSN) and provide students opportunities to take online courses through the network. Separate processes are underway to implement provisions of Senate Bill 1788 which establishes a state virtual school network. Information on the TxVSN can be found at www.tea.state.tx.us/technology/txvsn.

The Vision 2020 grants will accelerate implementation of the Long-Range Plan for Technology 2006-2020. Charting the course for educational technology through 2020 requires systematic planning and step-by-step strategies implemented over time to make the vision a reality. The recommendations for Teaching and Learning; Educator Preparation and Development; Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support; and Infrastructure for Technology implemented together will help realize the overarching vision of the plan by 2020. The plan is online at www.tea.state.tx.us/technology/lrpt.

The new Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 or Vision 2020 addresses the needs of education in Texas and plants the seeds for a secure future. This is an education system where:

• Students can expect higher performance and deeper engagement in academic, real world endeavors by accessing digital tools and resources available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week (24/7) appropriate to individual strengths, needs and learning styles. Students know they will be prepared to thrive in a global workforce with changing economic implications.

• Parents can expect not only to participate more directly in their children’s education but also to improve their own knowledge as parents and citizens. Communications increase as parents have 24/7 access to learning resources and student information such as achievement, attendance, and discipline.

• Educators can expect to access and use information on demand in order to individualize instruction. The use of digital tools and resources and 24/7 professional development opportunities transform the educators’ role in the educational process. Increased communication will enhance collaboration between school, home, and community.

• Community and school board members can expect more effective and efficient use of fiscal resources and human capital. Increased communication and participation in the educational decision-making process is enhanced through the use of anytime, anywhere digital tools and resources.

Title II, Part D, Subpart 1 of the No Child Left Behind Act, (NCLB) Enhancing Education Through Technology Act of 2001, provides assistance to local educational agencies (LEAs) for the implementation and support of a comprehensive system that effectively uses technology in elementary and secondary schools to improve student academic achievement. Texas has consistently used Title II, Part D to accelerate the implementation of the long-range plan for technology.

Applicability of NCLB Title II, Part D: Enhancing Education Through Technology

Purpose

Three Primary Goals of NCLB: Title II, Part D

Educational Technology
-> Ed Tech Pilots  http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/technology/pilots/index.html

 

 

2003 Interim Report on Ed Tech PILOTS" to the 78th Texas Legislature released! 1.26MB PDF

General Information on the Ed Tech PILOTS

Technology is playing an increasing role in how we live, work, play and educate. As technologies become more prevalent in our school system, it is critical to continually explore and evaluate their effectiveness. Texas has a well established history of technology pilot programs and demonstration projects. Through this exploratory process, many statewide programs have been initiated, expanded and evaluated. The current Educational Technologies Providing Increased Learning Opportunities for Texas Students (Ed Tech PILOTS) program provides the Agency with an avenue to continue this innovative process. The purpose of the program is to examine applications of technology in K-12 schools to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of those applications and technologies in meeting educational goals and objectives of the school, district, and state in the areas of teaching and learning, educator preparation and development and administration and support with the ultimate goal of improving student performance.

The recommendations from the 1999-2000 Ed Tech PILOTS were guiding factors in establishing four new pilot projects in the fall of 2001 in foundation curriculum areas of Reading, Math, Science and Social Studies. The general purpose of these projects is to use technology to more effectively deliver student performance data, curriculum content or professional development to classroom teachers. All projects employ a web interface as a focal point for delivering this content. Each of the Ed Tech PILOTS established partnerships that include the Texas Education Agency, content area centers for professional development, existing state initiatives, universities, and technology vendors.

Each of the Ed Tech PILOTS is based on current programs already in place in Texas Schools. The reading pilot examines the use of handheld technology to implement the Texas Primary Reading Inventory (TPRI). The TPRI provides educators with data to inform reading instruction and plan professional development opportunities for teachers. The mathematics pilot extends the University of Texas Homework Service to elementary and middle school students. The homework service historically provided assistance to high school teachers in the areas of physics, math, physical science and chemistry. The Biology and Social Studies pilots use the resources provided through the Texas Library Connection (TLC), a statewide technology initiative established to provide current, relevant information equitably to Texas school districts. The TLC provides access to online databases of full text journals, magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias, and electronic reference collections.

 

 

2009-2011 Title II, Part D - Vision 2020 - Cycle 2 Grant Application

Selection Process: Discretionary Competitive

Cycle: 2

SAS#: A623-09

Year: 1

RFA#: 701-09-107

 

The 2009-2011 Title II, Part D - Vision 2020 - Cycle 2 Grant Application Program will be administered by the Division of Discretionary Grants through the traditional paper method. The application must be downloaded, completed, and submitted in paper to the Division of Discretionary Grants. Applications may be mailed, hand-delivered, or sent via courier but must in all cases be received by TEA by the established deadline time and date. For your convenience, TEA will post the application and supporting information on this page upon release of the grant.

 

 

 

 Program Information

 

 

Program Description

 

The purpose of the Vision 2020 - Cycle 2 grant is to provide funding for 2 strands: Technology Immersion or the Virtual Learning. Technology Immersion funding will provide high-need schools with the necessary resources to create a totally immersed campus or grade level. Virtual Learning funding will provide high-need schools with the necessary resources to provide online learning opportunities for students and/or teachers via the Texas Virtual School Network. Districts may apply for both strands but funding for only one strand will be approved. Applicants must submit a separate application for each strand. Title II, Part D requires that 25% of the total award amount be used for professional development.


 

Eligibility

 

High need LEAs are eligible to apply for the Vision 2020 - Cycle 2 grant. A high-need LEA is an LEA that: (1) is among the LEAs with at least 2500 or 22% of children from families with incomes below the poverty line as identified by the 2005 U. S. Census data; AND (2) serves one or more schools identified for improvement or corrective action under Title I (section 1116), OR has a substantial need for assistance in acquiring and using technology as reflected in the Campus STaR Chart.


 

Statutory Authority

 

Title II, Part D “Enhancing Education Through Technology “of P.L. 107-110 No Child Left Behind Act of 2001


 

 

 

POWERPOINT http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/opge/disc/calendar/623-09/TETN.pdf