IMPACTModelSchoolGrant 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
(919) 807-3270
FAX: (919) 807-3290
e-mail:
Web site: tps.dpi.state.nc.us

Intent to Apply Due: / 5 p.m., September 13, 2002
Final Applications Due: / 5 p.m., January 6, 2003
Grants awarded: / March 2003 State Board of Education meeting
Grant implementation: / 2003-2004 school year

I. Background

The IMPACT model that provides 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 key to making education relevant. The model is outlined in IMPACT: Guidelines for Media and Technology Programs ( 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 (2000-2005), 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 and on-going.

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 schools. Over a three-year period, the goal of this model is to:

  • Help 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 Media and Technology Programs ( )
  • Provide the necessary personnel, resources, access, professional development, and student instruction to produce technologically literate students by the eighth grade and have a significant impact on the academic achievement of the school's student population.

Eligible LEAs may apply by first submitting the following no later than 5pm, Friday, September 13, 2002:

  • A letter of intent outlining:
  • Designated School
  • Media and Technology Advisory Committee/School Improvement Team members who will be assisting in the writing of the grant
  • Written verification of initial consultation with Regional Technology Consultant
  • 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 July 2002.
  • Eligibility is based on federal guidelines of High Poverty LEA (based on 1997 Census data) plus EITHER a school in corrective action (based on Title I identification) OR that has a high technology need

Note: High technology need formula is based on information provided NCDPI in the school's/LEA's 2002 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.

Note: The 2002 revision must be submitted by November 1, 2002.

  • LEAs/schools must have submitted all required state and federal yearly/end-of-the-year 2001-2002 reports and technology plan revisions
  • Only one IMPACT proposal per LEA will be accepted.

Note: 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 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.

Amount of Awards

  • Awards will be based on the quality of the grant proposal as determined by outside reviewers and NCDPI, with a minimum award of $100,000 and a maximum award of $450,000 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.)

Length of Funding

Funding begins at the time of grant approval. Enhancing Education Through Technology funds must be expended by September 30, 2004. Renewal in following years is contingent upon available federal funds, site visits/evaluations, submission of annual performance reports, updated budgets, and requested data submissions.

Applicants Responsibilities and Commitments

Superintendents 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 Information Session

A grant information session will be conducted via the NCIH to answer questions regarding the purpose of these grants and the application process. The meeting will be held from 2p.m.- 4p.m., August 14, 2002.

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. LEAS should contact their regional technology consultant as follows:

Western Region
Mary Lou Daily
828 232-5025

South Central Region
CampPrice
919 807-3268

North Central Region
Annemarie Timmerman
919 807-03267

Eastern Region
Vacant
919-807-3270

  • Additionally, online technical assistance is offered via the Technology Planning and Support Website, tps.dpi.state.nc.us

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 Technology Planning and Support, 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 Media and Technology Programs, published by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. ( This grant consists of a 3-year plan that creates an IMPACT school. Overall implementation of the grant is based on recommendations found in the 2000-2005 North Carolina Educational Technology Plan (tps.dpi.state.nc.us/techplan2000) and described in IMPACT: Guidelines for 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 (or who is eligible for certification during the 2003 school year), whose position is based on the NCDPI-approved job description

Note: 077 or 079 certification required

  • Written guarantee of continued employment of a full-time, certified School Library Media Coordinator
  • The hiring of a full-time technology assistant and/or 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 2000-2005 North Carolina Educational Technology Plan (tps.dpi.state.nc.us/techplan2000rev)

Note: 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 (tps.dpi.state.nc.us/tco)
  • 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 cataloged in the media center that can be accessed by all teachers and students

Note: EETT grant money cannot be used to buy print resources. It may 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 2000-2005 North Carolina Educational Technology Plan (tps.dpi.state.nc.us/techplan2000)
  • Implementation or continuation of a Media and Technology Advisory Committee (MTAC) that assists in all budget, program, and resources decision-making for grant implementation. .
  • Collaboration between the applicant's School Improvement Team and the MTAC in the design and implementation of this grant.

Note: Both the media coordinator and the instructional technology facilitator should sit on the applicant's School Improvement Team.

  • Guarantee of a flexible schedule for both the school library media center and computer lab(s). Proposed or actual school schedule, reflecting flexibly accessed media center and computer labs, must be submitted with grant application. Grade level meetings for collaborative planning must be identified within the schedule.
  • Professional development plan designed to assist in implementing the IMPACT model. This professional development plan must account for 25% of grant funding.[3] Training must include:
  • integration of technology resources into core curriculum content areas.
  • information literacy (this includes the Information and Computer Skills curricula).
  • the collaboration process.

Note: 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.

Note: 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.

Note: 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)

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
  • Student laptop programs
  • TV studio
  • CommunityTechnologyLearningCenter
  • LEA/consortium EnTechAcademy
  • Principals as Technology Leaders training (PATL/PEP)
  • Intel Teach to the Future training
  • Marco Polo training

Evaluation

The North Carolina Educational Technology Plan has been designed to reflect North Carolina's Strategic Plan for Excellent Schools, The ABCs Plus. 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 North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's (NCDPI) goals of high student achievement; safe and orderly schools; quality teachers, administrators and staff; strong family, community and business support; and effective and efficient operations.

Goal 1: High Student Performance

Performance Indicators:

  • All NC students will pass the eighth grade computer skills test.
  • All areas of the NC Standard Course of Study will incorporate strategies for technology integration.
  • Teachers, administrators, and support personnel will use technology to assess and individualize student instruction.
  • One to two certified instructional technology facilitator(s) will be employed in every school in addition to a certified media coordinator.
  • Media centers and technology labs will have flexibly accessed schedules.
  • All students will have equitable access to educational opportunities and resources 24/7.

Goal 2: Safe, Orderly, and Caring Schools

Performance Indicators:

  • All classrooms will have telephones.
  • Each principal and assistant principal will be equipped with PDA's and software to allow the download of a database of students showing address, phone number, emergency information, schedule, discipline record, academic record, etc.

Goal 3: Quality Teachers, Administrators, and Staff

Performance Indicators:

  • All administrators, certified and non-certified personnel will participate in high-quality technology staff development opportunities.
  • All certified personnel will earn 3-5 continuing education units (CEU) in the area of technology during their license renewal cycle.

Goal 4: Strong Family, Community, and Business Support

Performance Indicator:

  • North Carolina educators will deploy technology-based communications methods to increase and improve communications among students, staff, parents and members of the community.

Goal 5: Effective and Efficient Operation

Performance Indicators:

  • All students will have access to multimedia computers that support high-quality educational technology.
  • All teachers will have access to a multimedia computer with projection capability.
  • All sites should have WAN connectivity at T-1 (DS-1 or 1.54 Mbps) connection or better, which is suitable for simultaneous instructional, accountability and administrative applications, with connections to the Internet for all sites.
  • The Total Cost of Ownership model will be used to evaluate and implement budgets.
  • LEAs will strive to employ technology support personnel for the proper implementation of their overall technology program.

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
  • An overall state evaluation plan that will be conducted by an outside evaluator on the impact of technology on student achievement. Applicants must indicate willingness to provide data to IHE consultants and other individuals working with the state evaluation.

Competitive Priorities

Competitive Priority 1: Eligible schools/LEAs that did not receive adequate technology formula funding

Note: Based on the North Carolina Total Cost of Ownership formula, adequate technology formula funding is $114/student for the designated IMPACT school.

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.

Note: Range of 1-5 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. The application must use 12-point type and have 1-inch top, bottom, and side margins. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in automatic elimination of your proposal.

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
  • 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.
  • While writing the program narrative, applicants should address each item of the selection criteria that will be used to evaluate applications.

Note: Selection Criteria include: Need for project (25 points); Quality of Project Design (25 points); Adequacy of resources (25 points); Quality of the Management Plan (25 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

Submitting a Proposal