Digital Learning Innovation Fund Bidders Conference

1. Digital Learning Innovation FundBidders Conference July 2, 2013

2. Agenda Equity • Introductions • Overview of Request for Proposals • Questions and Answers • Next Steps Excellence Efficiency For

3. Background Equity • $3.5 million in FY14 State budget for this new fund • Goal: Maximize opportunities for local school systems to transition classrooms to comprehensive digital learning environments • Augments student/teacher interaction and • Improves student learning Excellence Efficiency For

4. Background • Competitive grants offered for use during the 2013-2014 school year • Grant period will begin on September 1, 2013 and end August 31, 2014 • Two types of competitive grants will be offered: • School systems with fewer than 20,000 students - up to $500,000 • Schools systems with more than 20,000 students - up to $1 million

5. Intended Priorities • Implement digital learning initiatives by the 2014-2015 school year • Support one-time start up costs • Create plans to ensure sustainability • Prepare plans to invest in technology infrastructure to support the activities created • Utilize multimedia digital content to supplement and enhance Common Core State Standards curriculum Equity Excellence Efficiency For

6. Differentiated Learning Projects • Some examples include: • E-portfolios for students • 3-D technology for English learners • Interactive textbooks with multimedia content • Developing apps for education • Project based learning with technology • 3-D game design for middle/high school students • Creating Virtual Worlds to reflect research and apply learning

7. Tips for the Outcomes Section • When preparing the proposal, start with the intended outcomes section then work backwards through the implementation and planning sections.

8. Review Process Equity • Applications will be pre-screened for submission requirements and inclusion of all required sections. Applicants not meeting all pre-screen requirements will not be read • Applicants must meet the minimum criteria to show ability to implement a comprehensive digital learning environment Excellence Efficiency For

9. Review Process • A review committee established by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) will evaluate applications • Committee includes: • Representatives from outside agencies and • MSDE personnel • Reviewers will comment upon the proposals and assign numerical scores based on a scoring rubric (Appendix A) • Final approval for awards will be determined by the State Superintendent of Schools

10. Allowable Activities/Expenses Equity • Consultant services limited to $500 per day, plus travel expenses • Consultant travel expenses cannot exceed state per diem rates • Stipends not to exceed $150/day (Stipends allowable only for work performed outside the regular work day) Excellence Efficiency For

11. AllowableActivities/Expenses • Differentiation of instruction to address diverse learning styles; differentiation of assignments and leveling of materials for students advancing at different paces aligned to Common Core State Standards • Substitute teacher fees only to enable teachers to participate in grant activities Equity Excellence Efficiency For

12. Allowable Activities/Expenses Equity • Salaries and fringe benefits for ten-month faculty and staff members required to work more than ten months on grant-related activities • Materials and supplies to directly support curriculum development and professional development. Applicants must clearly identify how all materials and supplies proposed through this grant will enhance the digital learning initiative Excellence Efficiency For

13. Allowable Activities/Expenses • Educational technology, such as laptops and tablets • Integration of multi-media assets for students and teachers • Administrative costs not to exceed 5% of the total grant, including indirect costs • Professional development related to the implementation of the grant for faculty members, administrators, counselors, and others who are directly involved Equity Excellence Efficiency For

14. Unallowable Activities/Expenses Equity • Pre-Award costs • Paying a coordinator to oversee the initiative and/or manage the grant • The conversion of traditional courses to an online delivery format • Course material that does not reflect currency or contain interactive multi-media resources for use on digital devices Excellence Efficiency For

15. Unallowable Activities/Expenses • Construction or leasing of temporary or permanent structures • Supplanting existing digital learning activities • Desks, chairs, cabinets, or stools • Standalone hardware or software that do not support the transformation of the interaction between teachers and students Equity Excellence Efficiency For

16. Unallowable Activities/Expenses Equity • Purchase of equipment for administrative purposes • Food or refreshments for meetings or professional development • Program maintenance • National, state, or local membership dues or fees Excellence Efficiency For

17. Unallowable Activities/Expenses • Rewards, door prizes, or paid give-aways • Attendance at national meetings or conferences (unless they are clearly related to the goals and objectives outlined in the application) • Travel fees affiliated to conference/convention attendance • Administrative and indirect costs that exceed 5% of the grant amount Equity Excellence Efficiency For

18. Frequently Asked Questions Equity • Who is eligible to apply for the grants? • Individual local school systems - MSDE will give priority to high-quality applications that reflect collaboration with other local school systems to accelerate the implementation of similar digital learning environments • How much funding will be awarded to each grantee? • Up to $500,000 for LEAs with less than 20,000 students • Up to $1,000,000 for LEAs with 20,000 or more students Excellence Efficiency For

19. Frequently Asked Questions 19 • What kinds of activities may be funded? • Examples of items that can be supported : • integration of multi-media assets for students and teachers • differentiation of instruction to address diverse learning styles • differentiation of assignments and leveling of materials for students advancing at different paces • Each application must also include a comprehensive plan to sustain the initiative through ongoing operational costs Equity Excellence Efficiency For

20. Frequently Asked Questions 20 Equity • What kinds of activities will not be funded? • Examples of activities that cannot be supported : • standalone hardware and software that do not support the transformation of the interaction between teachers and students; • dedicated staff; • the conversion of traditional courses to an online delivery format; and • course material that does not reflect currency or contain interactive multi-media resources Excellence Efficiency For

21. Frequently Asked Questions 21 Equity • Is this a renewable grant? Will we be able to apply for more funding? • No, these are one-time grants to cover start-up costs • What is the timeline for awarding the grants? • The review committee will convene in August and make recommendations to the State Superintendent of Schools • MSDE will then submit an overview of the Fund, selection criteria and proposed grantees to the joint state budget committees for final funding approval • After committee approval, MSDE will award the grants Excellence Efficiency

22. Frequently Asked Questions 22 Equity • Are Administrative Costs/Indirect Costs the same? • No. Together, they are capped at 5% • Are resumes required of key personnel in Appendix D of the Request for Proposals? • No Excellence For

23. Frequently Asked Questions 23 • Are LEAs required to hire an outside evaluator for their evaluation plan? • No • Applications must include a plan to evaluate the project as outlined in the proposal narrative on page 10 the RFP • What do we expect the timeline for awarding grants will be? • The grant is scheduled to begin in September, pending final spending authority from the joint budget committees. Equity Excellence Efficiency

24. Frequently Asked Questions 24 Equity • Does all funding need to be spent by August 31, 2014? • All funds must be encumbered by August 31, 2014 and liquidated within 60 days. • The final expenses should be submitted with the final report. Excellence Efficiency

25. Frequently Asked Questions 25 Equity • Are cohorts covered under this RFP? • There are no cohorts • Priority will be given to grants that reflect partnerships with other LEAs • Multiple LEAs may work together to identify electronic textbooks and to run them through their individual single text adoption process. Excellence Efficiency

26. Questions?