FY2021: FY2021 and FY2022 Educational Technology Professional Development

Fund Code: 421

Purpose:

The purpose of this targeted funding opportunity is to provide the Berkshire County Education Task Force (BCETF) with funding to support robust professional development opportunities for administrators and educators in providing high quality instruction through educational technology platforms. Funds should be used to build knowledge, skills and abilities in the optimal use of the school or district's educational technology tools and platform(s), as well as a deep understanding of how to ensure that the instructional materials offered through the platform are high quality. Additionally, funding may support virtual collaboration among educators and administrators to support this professional development, and expanded (collaboratively developed) virtual options for students such as dual enrollment, Advanced Placement and enrichment courses.

BCETF or its fiscal agent (Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Berkshires Tomorrow) may use this funding to develop and provide professional development training and tools to support the effective implementation of a specific educational technology platform (e.g. Canvas, Google Classroom, etc.). The educational technology platform must be fully integrated with each LEA's Student Information System (e.g. Powerschool, Follett/Aspen, Rediker, etc.), and have the ability to connect with software that provides high quality instructional material and related assessments.

Commitments

• Upon receiving grant funding for this grant, BCETF must commit to the following: Providing a semi-annual progress report including data and information regarding implementation, success, and areas for improvement report (see Additional Information section below)
• Meeting quarterly with assigned project manager(s) at DESE
• Supporting DESE efforts to document and share lessons learned to other schools and districts across the Commonwealth

Priorities:

The priorities for use of these funds must be in the areas of professional development training and tools to support the effective implementation of a specific educational technology platform (e.g. Canvas, Google Classroom, etc.).

Eligibility:

BCETF or its fiscal agent (Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Berkshires Tomorrow) is eligible to apply.

Funding Type:

Federal: Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund ; Education Stabilization Fund CFDA 84.425

Funding:

Approximately up to $200,000 is allocated for this grant.

Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding becomes available it will be distributed under the same guidelines that appear in this RFP document.

Fund Use:

Allowable expenditures include contract costs for a project manager, a vendor knowledgeable in the applicant's chosen educational technology platform, stipends for educators and administrators to participate in professional development opportunities, stipends for site-based leads, and other costs related to the successful implementation of the educational technology platform and related software tools.

Funding should not be used for the purchase of technology or equipment.

Project Duration:

Year 1 FY2021: Upon Approval* – June 30, 2021**

*These funds may be used to cover costs incurred from 9/1/2020 according to the federal GEER funds guidance linked above in Funding Type.

**Grant funds may carry over to FY2022 (July 1, 2021 – 6/30/2022), subject to continued appropriation and other approvals.

Program Unit:

Center for Strategic Initiatives

Contact:

Jacqulyn.m.gantzer@mass.gov

Phone Number:

815-541-9673

Date Due:

Friday, January 22, 2021

Required Forms:

 

Part I — General — Program Unit Signature Page — (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)

FY2021 Part I (Year 1)

FY2022 Part I (Year 2)

 

Part II — Budget Details

FY2021 Part II (Year 1)

FY2022 Part II (Year 2)

 

Part III Additional Information — Proposal narrative provided by applicant

Please Note: Changes to the funding totals in FY2021 (Year 1) vs FY2022 (Year 2) would need to be submitted as an amendment decreasing FY2021 budget.

If utilizing funds in FY2022, recipients will be required to enter the approved FY2022 budget and Part I in EdGrants in Spring 2021. Grantees will be contacted with instructions on the process when the funding opportunity is available.

Additional Information:

Attachment I — Summary of Reporting and Check-in Commitments includes information the recipient is required to provide, as well as the timelines and methods for providing required information.

Submission Instructions:

Submit all required grant materials through EdGrants

In EdGrants, applicants are required to create and name the project. Please use the following naming convention for your "Applicant Project Name" in EdGrants:

FY21 FC421 Educational Technology Professional Development Grant (Berkshire County Education Task Force)

All items listed under the required forms section of this RFP should be uploaded in the Attachments List form let of the Application Submission in EdGrants. This includes a signed / scanned PDF of Part I / Coversheet with BCETF Chair and Fiscal Agent's signature and all required forms. The final budget the applicant is requesting will be entered directly into EdGrants as part of the application submission process.

For Guidance Documents regarding EdGrants, visit EdGrants: User Guides, Information and Trainings.

Please note: It is up to the district to determine who they want to add as EdGrants Front Office users to submit grant application as well as payment request information. Please review the EdGrants: User Security Controls to make informed decisions regarding assigning your district level users.

Last Updated: January 12, 2021