NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
No Child Left Behind, Title II-D Revised Competitive Grant Proposal 2009-10
Instructions:
Use this request form to indicate how your district intends to use Title II-D funds available to you to support educational technology. Use the left column as a checklist.
- Download the OBM Form 1 template from the NHDOE website at:
- Complete and submit the OBM Form 1 worksheet indicating the following:
- Federal Program Title - Title II-DEnhancing Education Through Technology
- Project Start Date - 4/20/2010
- Project End Date - 3/31/2011
- Attention: Cathy Higgins
- Attach the e-version of the OBM Form 1 and completed Application to an email to:.
- Snail mail the hard copies of the Form 1 and Assurances page to:
101 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301
The intent of this award is to encourage effective integration of technology into instruction in core content areas by supporting high quality professional development using technology tools and strategies. When describing the activities which these funds will support, please indicate how they support the following vision:
Students in 21st century classrooms will be highly engaged in interactive learning and higher level thinking skills, whether learning math, science, reading, or history. The use of digital cameras, interactive white boards, robust courseware, digital content, computers, and mobile learning tools will provide students with opportunities to collaborate and connect to rich and relevant content. Investment in core components for technology, collaborative planning, enthusiastic and well-informed leadership, intensive professional development, and IT support are some of the key elements necessary to transform schools into 21st century learning environments.
APPLICATION COVER PAGE
District: / RochesterSchool District / Date: / May 26, 2010Project Manager: / Mary Moriarty / Award Amount: / $59,653.00
Position Title: / Curriculum Coordinator
Phone: / (603) 332 – 3678 Extension 124
Email Address: /
Digital Tools: / Which ONE of the following best describes the digital tools that will be purchased and used in the project classrooms?
Netbooks
Standard laptops
Handheld computers (e.g., Nintendo DS, iTouch, etc.)
Combination of laptops, cameras, and other tools
Other computer configurations (please describe briefly:______)
Number of Classrooms Involved: / How many classrooms will be involved in this project:
There will be _____ classrooms in grade(s) configured with a 1:1 environment.
There will be 4 classrooms in grade(s)6 – high school with ratios greater than 1:1.
Teachers: / Who are the teachers that will use the project’s purchased equipment?
Last Name / First Name / Email
Spader / Al /
Muzzey / Tom /
Sampson / Mark /
Talon / Jason /
Schadler / Christine /
Administrators: / Who are the administrators at the schools involved in this project?
Last Name / First Name / Email
McKenney / Valerie /
Seaward / Robert /
Project Summary
The RochesterSchool District will establish four (4) 21st century science classrooms for the purpose of increasing student achievement in science, specifically through engaging students in inquiry based learning supported through a technology rich environment. This project will not only increase student performance in science, but it will also, increase student and teacher levels of performance on the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) Performance Indicators for Students and Teachers.
Project Description
Goal:
The RochesterSchool District will establish four (4) 21st century science classrooms for the purpose of increasing studentachievement in science, specifically through engaging students in inquiry based learning supported through a technology rich environment. In addition to increasing student achievement in science, student and teacher levels of performance on the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) Performance Indicators for Students andTeachers will also increase. Thethree (3) middle school and two (2) high school teachers will accomplish these goalsby integrating research-based highly effective science strategies, innovative and emerging technologies, and information literacies into their science instruction
This goal is aligned with the district’s Technology Plan which requires that we teach about the technology, with the technology and have students apply the technology to problem solving, either theoretical or real life. The district’s Technology Plan embodies the philosophy of the 21st century classroom, “technologies available now offer learning opportunities that are not possible in any other context; this is the most justifiable use of technology in the classroom allowing teachers to extend the curriculum into entirely new areas.” The creation of four (4) 21st century scienceclassrooms coupled with the collaboration of the participating teachers and a professional development program designed by the district for all middle and high school science teachers and supported with district funds will assist in making these words a true reality.
Scope of Work:
Establish Four (4) 21st Century Science Classrooms:
- Three (3) science classrooms grades six, seven and eight at RochesterMiddle School with a 3:1 ratio of students to netbooks. There will be one science teacher at each grade level who will use the room for his entire instructional time.
- One (1) science classroom at SpauldingHigh School with a 3:1 ratio of students to netbooks. This classroom will be shared between two high school science teachers who will each teach two periods of the four period day in the classroom.
Digital Tools:
In addition to the netbooks provided for student use, each classroom will be provided the following digital tools to support student learning:
- teacher laptop & productivity tools – essential professional tool for 21st century teachers
- interactive SMART Board with projector including the audio component
- SMART Slate and Bluetooth Wireless Adaptor
- document camera
The digital tools will promote a highly engaged student learning environment by providing the students, who are “digital natives”, with interactive tools that support student achievement in science through the use of inquiry and project based learning opportunities. President Barack Obama has stated: “By using efficient information-delivering technology at schools, students can learn problem-solving and collaboration – the kinds of skills that are difficult to export and are in high demand today.”
The proposed digital tools will be used to transform the current classrooms to 21st century learning environments. These 21st century learning environments will emphasize collaboration as well as, problem and project-based learning. The five (5) participating science teachers will use the digital tools to connect their classrooms throughout the 2010 – 2011 school year on a year long inquiry based science project that will tie through the science the five multi-grade classrooms. The high school students will be science mentors to the middle school students. The participating teachers will work to establish the project during the Summer 2010 and the project will be showcased at a “Celebration of 21st Century Learning”.
Sir Ken Robinson, an internationally recognized leader in the development of creativity, innovation and human resources, recently stated in Education Leadership: “most creative processes benefit enormously from collaboration. The great scientific breakthroughs have almost always come through some form of fierce collaboration among people with common interests but with very different ways of thinking. This is one of the great skills we have to promote and teach…” The hardware supported through this grant will allow the students to collaborate on a problem-based and project-based learning . “Advocates of 21st century skills favor student-centered methods for example, problem-based learning and project-based learning that allow students to collaborate, work on authentic problems and engage with the community.”(Rotherham, Andrew J. & Willingham, Daniel, 21st Century Skills: The Challenges Ahead, ASCD Educational Leadership, September 2009). Students will be able to access multiple online programs that support student learning in the area of science and promote collaboration.
The Five (5) 21st Century Classroom Teachers Will Support Student Achievement and Their Professional
Growth By:
- using on a daily basis in their science instruction innovative and emerging technologies and information literacies with a focus on scientific inquiry based learning,
- using digital tools to connect their classrooms throughout the 2010 – 2011 school year on a year longinquiry based science project,
- utilizing courseware programs, such as Virtual Courseware Project, NASA Messenger Education Modules, PhET Interactive Simulations Project, and others,
- participating in a “global learning community”, such as, The GLOBE Program(Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) “a worldwide hands-on, primary and secondary school-based science and education program. GLOBE's vision promotes and supports students, teachers and scientists to collaborate on inquiry-based investigations of the environment and the Earth system working in close partnership with NASA and NSF Earth System Science Projects in study and research about the dynamics of Earth's environment.”http://www.globe.gov/
- using such sites as Google Docs and Blogger to collaborate on the project
- monitoring student progress as it relates to meeting the grade level standards for the New Hampshire Science Literacy Curriculum Frameworks with an emphasis on SPS1-Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking Skills and SPS4-Science Skills for Information, Communication and Media Literacy
- monitoring student progress as it relates to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) National Educational Technology Standards (NET*S) and Performance Indicators for Students,
- participating in on-going high quality professional development to support the transformation to a 21scentury classroom teacher; the professional development program designed by the district includes having grades 6 – 12 science teachers working with a science facilitator throughout the 2010-2011 year on inquiry based science, highly effective research-based science instructional strategies and the integration of technology into their instruction, and
- participating in a “Celebration of 21st Century Learning” at the end of the project period when the innovative teachers involved in the project will come together and share their experiences with district leaders, school board representatives, colleagues, students and parents.
- providing the 21st century classrooms with curriculum, instruction, professional development and project evaluation support from the district’s Curriculum Coordinator,
- establishing wireless networks for each transformed classroom,
- purchasing for each classroom an age-appropriate digital microscope compatible with the interactive whiteboard with projector,
- providing financial support for any additional software needs and the miscellaneous supplies (such as bulbs, ink etc) used by 21st century classrooms
- continuing to support networked printers, and
- providing ongoing technical assistance from the district’s ComputerInformationCenter including open access to web resources.
The following indicators were used to determine the need for and scope of this project:
- District/Participating Schools’ Poverty Rate
- Student Access to the Internet Outside of School (based on student data for proposed classrooms)
- DistrictNew HampshireSchool Technology and Readiness Chart (NH STaR)
- 2008 & 2009 New England Common Science Assessment Data
- High School Dropout Rate (as an indicator of student engagement)
District/Participating Schools’ Free & Reduced Lunch Data (March 2009)
District/Participating Schools / Poverty Rate
District / 37.80%
RochesterMiddle School / 37.99%
SpauldingHigh School / 31.06%
Student Access to the Internet Outside of School
(based on student survey data)
Classroom / Percent of Students
Without Access
to the Internet Outside of School
Rochester MS Grade 6 (all) / 22.7%
Rochester MS Grade 7 (all) / 27.3%
Rochester MS Grade 8 (all) / 22.7%
SpauldingHigh School
(sampling of one Grade 9 classroom) / 7.1%
DistrictNew HampshireSchool Technology and Readiness Chart (NH STaR)
Focus Areas / District Levels / Focus Areas / District Levels
Impact Tech. Teacher Role / 2.3 / Vision & Planning / 2.7
Patterns of Teacher Use / 1.7 / Technical Support / 1.7
Design of Instructional Setting / 2.7 / Technology Integration Specialist / 2.0
Curriculum Areas / 2.7 / Budget Levels / 2.3
Patterns of Student Use / 1.7 / Budget Allocated for Technology / 0.7
Content of Training / 1.7 / Universal Design / 2.3
Capabilities of Educators / 2.0 / Students Per Instructional Computer / 2.0
Leadership & Capabilities of Building Principals/District Admin. / 2.0 / Internet Access / 2.7
Models of PD / 1.7 / E-Learning Environments / 2.0
Levels of Understanding / 1.7 / LAN/WAN / 2.7
Universal Access / 2.0 / Other Technologies / 2.0
Security / 3.0
District NECAP Science Assessment Results
Grade Level / 2008
Below Proficient / 2009
Below Proficient
Fourth / 55% / 56%
Eighth / 84% / 83%
Eleventh / 80% / 87%
Also, noted on the assessment results is the district-wide low performance of achievement in the area of scientific inquiry. The district is currently participating in Focused Monitoring, which is looking at the achievement gap between special education students and all other students. This achievement gap exists not only in the areas of reading, mathematics, but also in science. This project will provide greater opportunities for students to participate in scientific inquiry and will provide the teachers in the project the opportunity to collaborate on increasing student learning in this area.
High School Dropout Rate (4 Year Cumulative Rate)
School Year / 4 Year Cumulative Rate
2007 – 2008 / 23.4%
2006 – 2007 / 21.9%
2005 – 2006 / 19.6%
These indicators reflect a need to increase:
- opportunities for students to successfully use technology in their learning,
- access to online resources for all students,
- use of integrated technology into our instructional practices
- student science achievement, particularly in the area of inquiry, and
- student engagement in learning.
The district funded high-quality professional development program coupled with the ongoing collaboration of project participants and digital tools provided by this project will provide the instructional support teachers need to transform their current practice to meet the needs of 21st century learners.
Transformative Strategies:
A key transformative strategy and the true catalyst for change is the ongoing collaboration of the 21st century classroom teachers and the district funded and supported high quality professional development that the 21st century teachers will participate in throughout the project.
Professional Development
The district requests a waiver of the federal requirement that 25% of our allocation be used for professional development. The district has designed and supported through grand and district funds a professional development program for Summer 2010 – June 2011, which provides for ten (10) professional development days for science teachers with a highly trained science consultant at a cost of $28,515 (including consultant fees, materials, stipends and cost of substitutes; this amount far exceeds 25% of the total allocation). Joyce Tugel, science consultant, will work with all district middle and high school science teachers on best practices in the field of science and the integration of technology into their instruction. In addition, the district will be providing summer technology institutes and monthly technology workshops in district to promote 21st century learning skills. Below is a brief overview of Ms. Tugel accomplishments and qualifications.
“Joyce Tugel is a Science Specialist at the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA). Her work at the MMSA is primarily focused on the areas of teacher leadership, mentoring and new teacher support, and science professional development, which includes national support for the Curriculum Topic Study project in utilizing the tools and resources. Joyce is a co-author of Uncovering Student Ideas in Science, Vol. 2. Prior to coming to the MMSA in 2005, Joyce was a science professional development specialist at the TERC Eisenhower Regional Alliance for five years and taught high school chemistry and physical science for ten years in Southern Maine. Prior to receiving her science teaching certification, Joyce was a researcher in environmental biogeochemistry at the University of New Hampshire. She is a Fellow of the third cohort group of the NationalAcademy for Science and Mathematics Education Leadership. Joyce has served as the National Science Teachers Association's District II Director and Professional Development Division Director. During her accomplished teaching career, Joyce received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Secondary Science Teaching in 1998, and the Milken Foundation National Distinguished Educator and New England Institute of Chemists Secondary Teaching Awards in 1999. Joyce received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Microbiology from the University of New Hampshire.”The NationalScienceTeachersAssociationLearningCenter
In addition, as a stepping off point to the project, the participants will be visiting in early JuneMarshwoodMiddle Schoolin Maine and OysterRiverHigh Schoolin New Hampshire. Marshwood Middle School has been a successful participant in the Maine Laptop Initiative and Oyster River High School received a 21st Century Classroom Grant in December 2009. These visitations will assist in establishing relationships with schools that have 21st century learning environments in place.
Also, the RochesterSchool District is the recipient of an OPEN NH grant. The participants in the 21st century classroom grant will have available to them for the Summer 2010 at no cost online courses that support the integration of technology and model online teaching environments. Through the OPEN NH grant a specific course on using Moodle will be designed for Rochester educators. Participants in the 21st Century Grant are planning to access this opportunity.
One of the participants is a certified trainer for SMART Board and he will provide ongoing support to his colleagues throughout the project.
Evaluation
The district is committed to participating in all aspects of the statewide evaluation effort. The evaluation results on student learning from these technology rich learning environments will be shared at the “Celebration of 21st Century Learning “ with all stakeholders: school board, district/building administration, all teachers/staff, students, parents and general public. The anticipated positive results will be used to gain support for the future allocation of district resources to improve student learning by transforming current instructional practices in all content areas to meet the needs of 21st century learners.
Budget Narrative
Budget (Describe as appropriate)
Add your narrative below each category title and show how you calculated your total amount proposed for the budget category. / TOTAL
Hardware
Listed below are the necessary digital tools needed to create a 21st century learning environment designed to improve the level of performance for students and teachers based on the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) and Performance Indicators for Students and Teachers.
- Teacher Laptops (5 laptops @ $1,089/laptop) – this “bid pricing” includes hardware and all software costs)
- Student Netbooks (46 Netbooks @$757/Netbook) – this “bid pricing” includes hardware and all software costs)
- SMART Boards with Projectors (4 classrooms @ $3,105/classroom)
- SMART Board Audio Systems & Cables (4 classrooms @ $51/classroom)
- SMART Document Cameras (4 classrooms @ $752/classroom)
- SMART Slates and Bluetooth Wireless Adaptors (4 classrooms @ $312/classroom)
Connectivity
The district will provide the financial support to provide wireless access to each of the 21st century classrooms. No funds are requested from the grant. / $0
Software
All teacher laptops and student netbooks include necessary software. The “bid pricing” outlined under hardware includes both hardware and software costs. / $0
Materials & Supplies
No funds are requested from the grant. / $0
Professional Development
The district requests a waiver as outlined under the Professional Development Section of this proposal. / $0
Other Expenses
Cost of professional stipends for 21st Century Classroom Teachers to support full involvement in all aspects associated with participation in this transformative educational project.
- 21st Century Teacher Stipend (5 teachers @ $499/stipend)
Indirect Cost (per approved 2009-2010 district rates posted at / $0
TOTAL / $59,653
To complete the OBM Form
Title II-D Program Assurances