The State Department of Education announced today it
received 99 applications for the Idaho Technology Pilot Program. The applications totaled more than $26 million
in requests for funding, amounting to a nearly 34% increase in funding requests
from last year.
The Idaho Technology Pilot Program is a competitive
grant program. The goal is for schools
to pilot ways that innovative and effective use of technology in elementary and
secondary schools can help improve student achievement. This is the second year the Idaho Legislature
has appropriated $3 million in funding for technology pilot projects in K-12
public schools.
“Since 2007, we have worked to make sure every
student has equal access to the best educational opportunities. The increase in technology grant applications
is evidence we need a statewide solution to closing the digital divide,” said
Superintendent Luna. “Pilots must be
just the beginning, not the end. Parents
shouldn’t have to hope their child is lucky enough to attend a school that was
fortunate enough to receive a grant.”
To be eligible, a pilot project must be designed to
improve student academic growth and financial efficiencies throughout an entire
school. The project must be scalable to other schools in Idaho and sustainable
statewide after the technology pilot period ends. The grant funding for the
pilot projects will be for one fiscal year. Local school districts can plan to
implement the pilot projects over a one-year or two-year period.
Grant proposals will be blind reviewed by a
committee representing educational stakeholders, including teachers,
administrators, and representatives of higher education.
Awardees will be announced before the beginning of
July, when funding becomes available.
For more information on the grant application,
please visit http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/tech_services/grants_contracts.htm.
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