Newsline

  Instructional Technology Update 

The Benton Foundation recently released the report, “The Sustainability Challenge: Taking EdTech to the Next Level.” While the foundation notes that many states are slowing their investment in classroom technology, it encourages educators to keep education technology a priority. The report points out positive outcomes accomplished by the education technology movement in the last decade and recommends ways to sustain growth and improvement. Instead of slowing down, districts are encouraged to dedicate professional development funding to improve technology skills of teachers and create authentic assessments of education technology that can document meaningful and positive results of education technology investments.

I know this shift is true in Missouri and at the local level, as well. I hear about the cuts being made to district technology budgets and staff FTE. And, I understand that with state and local budget woes and world peace at risk, it can be difficult to remain positive and upbeat. I sometimes have to remind myself that my children (indeed, all children) need a sense of hope and positive role models – and that I am in good company and not in this alone. I may not be cheerleading quite as much or as boisterously as in the past, but I have faith that situations will improve. Meanwhile, I believe it’s important to stay the cause as best we can. -Deb 

FY03 Technology Grants – Funding Levels and End-of-Year Reports

Districts were informed in late February that the TAG grant program received an additional withholding, lowering the expected reimbursement rate to 64.6 percent. Likely districts will under-spend in most, if not all, cost categories and will not need to move funds across categories. Please contact the Instructional Technology staff if you have any questions about this matter.

Districts are reminded that final expenditure reports (FERs) must be submitted by May 15, 2003. The TAG FER is to be filed online. The eMINTS FER must be mailed or faxed to the Instructional Technology section. A copy of the eMINTS FER and Request for Amendment forms can be downloaded from our web site at http://www.dese.state.mo.us/divimprove/instrtech/federalfunded/TitleIID/app.pdf. 

FY04 Technology Grants – Title IID eMINTS grants 
Federal Funding
In March, Newsline announced that the President had signed the federal budget and that Title IID funding was stable. We expect to operate FY04 Title IID programs like we have in FY03. With about $8 million, we will distribute half through formula grants and half through competitive grants. In Missouri the competitive funds are used to expand the eMINTS professional development program into new districts. The FY04 funding will support 40 second-year grants and approximately 30-32 first-year grants. 

Applications for the FY04 Title IID eMINTS grants were due March 31. As of April 1, we have received all of the second-year grant applications and 34 first-year applications. The first-year grants will be evaluated April 7-8 [along with applications sent to MOREnet for eMINTS professional development]. Once the applications are reviewed and scored, Department and MOREnet staffs can make the funding and training assignments. Applicants can expect to receive a funding status letter on or near April 21. 

State Funding
While we usually have a strong sense of the state budget by late March, it is not the case this year. In early budget hearings, the technology budget passed through at level funding. In other words, we could start FY04 with the about the same amount we had to begin FY03. Hopefully, the state budget can be balanced without dipping into these funds. If that’s the case, districts can expect to receive about 70% of their typical TAG allotment. Also, the Technology Network Project’s (TNP) participation fee rates will stay the same.  

Note that the funding to support the TNP has been moved out of the Department’s budget (House Bill 2) and moved to the Department of Higher Education’s budget (House Bill 3). We do not expect this funding shift to have any effect on programs and services to K-12 schools. Funding for the MOREnet backbone originated under the Department of Higher Education’s budget and when MOREnet started appearing in two budgets, this created some confusion in the General Assembly. Please be assured that the Department will continue to work closely with MOREnet (and DHE) to plan, implement, and evaluate the programs and services to K-12 schools.   

State Approval of District Technology Plans  
Technology plans from about 400 districts and charter schools were due March 31. To date, we have received 322 plans. On April 24 and 25, approximately 80 educators will be in Jefferson City to receive reader training and begin the process of reviewing plans for state approval. Districts can expect to receive state approval status letters on or near May 19.  

The Missouri Educational Technology Professionals Association (METPA), once again, volunteered to provide technical assistance. METPA had a room set aside at the MOREnet Spring Technical Conference: “Connections 2003” where attendees (with their draft plans in hand) could come, discuss planning experiences, and have their plans reviewed by peers. During the course of the two days, March19-20, METPA met with representatives from over 40 districts. Our appreciation goes to Becky Hartzell, Everett Loughridge, Judy Manhatton, Susie Graham, and John Waite. Thank you! 

Census of Technology (COT)
2002 COT
The 2002 state summary report is available on the Instructional Technology web site at http://www.dese.state.mo.us/divimprove/instrtech/statefunded/census/index.htm. Some of the major findings in 2002 include the following: 

Respondents

• 524 district offices and 2128 school buildings completed the 2002 COT

      Internet Connectivity

• All of the district offices, 97 percent of the buildings, and 80 percent of instructional rooms
  (labs, classrooms, and library media centers) are connected to the Internet

      Student-Computer Ratios

• 232,808 computers are reported across the 2128 buildings – one computer for 3.82 students
  o  211,382 computers reside in instructional rooms – one per 4.21 students

•  209,700 computers are Internet capable (at Pentium-level or better)–one computer per 4.24 students
  o  190,178 reside in instructional rooms – one per 4.68 students

• 205,068 computers are connected to the Internet – one computer per 4.34 students
  o  187,032 reside in instructional rooms – one per 4.76 students

• 190,353 computers are multimedia equipped – one computer per 4.68 students
  o  174,147 reside in instructional rooms – one per 5.11 students

Training and Technical Assistance

• On average, buildings schedule two days for professional development where teachers can learn and upgrade their technology skills

•  58 percent of buildings rank curriculum development as the top training priority, followed by instructional technology integration at 56 percent

• 70 percent of districts rank curriculum integration as the top technical assistance priority, followed by instructional integration at 60 percent

      Technology Skills and Usage

• 89 percent of districts incorporate technology into core curriculum guides

• Most districts have board-approved education technology standards, with 62 percent having locally-developed standards
  o        59 percent have standards for elementary students
  o        54 percent have standards for middle/junior high school students
  o        49 percent have standards for high school students
  o        45 percent have standards for teachers
  o        39 percent have standards for school administrators

• 96 percent of technology staff, 82 percent of principals, and 76 percent of teachers are reported to have intermediate or advance technology skills

• 75 percent of students and 71 percent of teachers routinely use education software

• 92 percent of principals, 82 percent of teachers, and 14 percent of students routinely use email

• 43 percent of principals, 37 percent of teachers, and 32 percent of students routinely create computer-generated presentations

• 67 percent of principals, 71 percent of teachers, and 65 percent of students routinely use technology for writing / writing assignments

• 69 percent of principals, 67 percent of teachers, and 59 percent of students routinely use technology for research information collection

• 38 percent of teachers routinely use technology for instructional delivery / presentation

• 67 percent of principals and 61 percent of teachers routinely use technology to track student performance

• 58 percent of principals and 55 percent of teachers routinely use technology to assess student performance

2003 COT
The 2003 census will be collected April 1-15. While the 2003 COT is very similar to the 2002 version, districts will note that it is about half as long and that data have been pre-filled where appropriate. Core Data Manual pages that correspond to the COT can be accessed at http://www.dese.state.mo.us/divimprove/instrtech/core%20data%20manual%20for%20screens%2030%20&%2031.html. 

State Filtering Software Program Update
2002-2003
Last spring and summer, the Department worked the state’s Prime Vendor, World Wide Technology, Inc. (WWT) to help offer Internet filtering solutions to schools at reasonable pricing. By placing orders during a particular application window, WWT was able to leverage costs with the filtering solution providers. We were able further able to reduce the pricing with a small state subsidy. 

2003-2004
While it is most unlikely the Department or MOREnet will have the funds to subsidize Internet filtering for FY04, WWT has offered to help districts buy new and/or renew their current solutions through group buys. Purchasing through the Prime Vendor Contract gives districts competitive pricing, as a result of the state’s bidding process. Prices can be further reduced when bulk purchase orders are processed at the same time. To take advantage of this offer and to obtain pricing quotes, please contact:

WWT will need the purchase orders by May 31st for schools to take advantage of the group pricing.

 E-Rate Action Alert
Since December, a number of allegations of waste, fraud and abuse in the E-Rate program have appeared in the press and in key reports. One such incident has led to federal prosecutors charging four representatives of Connect2, Internet Networks, Inc. with attempting to bilk the program of millions of dollars by convincing schools that they would pay the undiscounted share of the eligible services for them and that they should order services far more expensive than they could afford. This incident and others led to the publication of a report highly critical of the E-Rate program by the Center for Public Integrity, which included a quote from an auditor with the Inspector General’s Office that states: "It's not unfair to say we have found something wrong everywhere we have looked. It appears to be both intentional and unintentional." These press reports and negative comments, in turn, spawned the launch of an investigation by the House Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations early this year.

E-Rate events simmered for a while but have reached a boil in the past two weeks. In quick succession, the following events occurred:

•          The E-Rate's administrator announced that it had denied, in a single Year 5 funding wave, approximately $590 million in discount requests on the grounds that the competitive bidding process had been compromised. Large city districts, including Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas and Fort Worth, lost tens of millions of dollars. This large-scale rejection has caused great consternation in the applicant and vendor communities.

•       The House Commerce Committee, which had been quietly pursuing its E-Rate waste, fraud and abuse investigation, publicly demanded documents pertaining to particular E-Rate applications from the FCC and the Schools and Libraries Division. The press release accompanying these requests stated that the investigation was being "stepped-up" and labeled the E-Rate program "troubled."

•       Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo, a persistent critic of the program, introduced a bill (HR 1252) that would eliminate the program. The bill already has four cosponsors.

•       Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain called for a hearing on universal service issues, likely including the E-Rate, for April 2.

•       FCC Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy announced that she would hold a public forum on May 8 to address potential changes to the E-Rate. The Commissioner stated that recent events "have convinced me that the FCC needs to take a hard look at whether our rules provide an adequate framework to avoid wasteful expenditures and prevent gaming of the system. While our established procedures have successfully uncovered instances of program abuse, we need to consider changes to lessen the potential for waste, fraud, and abuse." 

Districts in favor of keeping the E-rate program may want to contact their senators and representatives. Email addresses for senators may be found on the senate website at http://www.senate.gov, and emails for representatives on the house website at http://www.house.gov. Offices can be reached through the Capitol Hill switchboard at 202.224.3121. When making contact, be sure to mention the amount of E-Rate discounts your institution has received, what services you have been purchased through the discounts, and the educational opportunities (distance learning courses, professional development, parental involvement, etc.) that the E-Rate has catalyzed. Include a return address when emailing. ***Source: email alert provided by Leslie Harris & Associates.

FY 2002 – Internal Connections Requests to be Funded down to 81%
The SLD announced it plans to issue Funding Year 2002 funding commitments on Internal Connections requests down to 81% beginning with Wave 26. The Wave 26 Funding Commitment Decision Letters (FCDL) will be issued on April 7, 2003. The SLD had been funding Internal Connections requests with discount percentages of 90% and denying such requests with discount percentages below 80% based on estimated fundable requests and funds available for this funding year – leaving uncertainty about the possibility of being able to fund requests with percentages of 80% to 89%.  

Many applicants with Internal Connections requests in the 80% to 89% range have received FCDLs with a classification of "as yet unfounded." Applicants who have received such FCDLs for requests with discount percentages of from 81% to 89% will get new FCDLs in Wave 26 showing commitments for these requests. At this time, there is no determination about the ability to fund Internal Connections requests at 80%.
 

   “The Sustainability Challenge: Taking EdTech To The Next Level”

While many states are slowing their investment in classroom technology as a result of tight budgets, technology remains a critical part of education policy, says the report released by the Benton Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based group that advocates for education technology. The report relates how the federal government has spent $40 billion since 1990 to get computers into classrooms, wire schools for Internet access, and integrate technology into K-12 teaching – an investment that has paid off. But state budgets are stretched thin, and spending priorities are changing. To help sustain the growth and improve education technology, the foundation offers several recommendations. The report can be downloaded at http://www.benton.org.  ***Source: Education Daily, Vol. 36, No. 48, Wednesday, March 12, 2003
 

  New Resources From The Consortium For School Networking (COSN) 

Data-Driven Decision Making Initiative
At its 8th Annual K-12 Networking Conference, the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) launched its newest leadership initiative, "Data-driven Decision Making: Vision to Know and Do", a cross-industry resource to assist educators in the effective use of data. The Initiative will be a source of up-to-date, unbiased information for educators on collecting, understanding and using data effectively; an easy to use mechanism for educating school leaders about data-driven decision making and its applications in elementary and secondary education; and a nationally recognized framework for sharing knowledge among educators and transferring knowledge between the educational and vendor communities. Information is available at http://www.3D2Know.org.

Online Safety Toolkit
Sponsored by the BellSouth Foundation, the AOL Time Warner Foundation, Microsoft Corp., and Sprint Corp., the "Promoting Online Safety" toolkit was created with the understanding that schools need to be proactive in communicating with parents and other community members about their online safety strategies—and parents need to understand the steps they can take to make sure their children use their home computer in a safe and appropriate manner. The toolkit components include a handbook, called "Promoting Online Safety: The Home-School Partnership," designed to help school leaders develop the message they want to convey to parents and community members, based on their local circumstances; a 10-minute video that highlights the experiences of two school districts, one in Pennsylvania and one in Kansas, as they worked through questions surrounding the best ways to protect students when they go online; and a presentation to help school leaders explain to parents and community leaders the steps their schools are taking to protect children online. School leaders can download the handbook and presentation at no charge from the project’s web site at http://www.safewiredschools.org/toolkit 

District TCO Tool
Also occurring during the 8th Annual K-12 Conference was the unveiling of the CoSN/Gartner Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) tool, a new Web-based tool designed to help K-12 schools assess their technology investments. The latest developments in CoSN's "Taking TCO to the Classroom" initiative, CoSN and Gartner, with support from North Central Regional Technology in Education Consortium (NCRTEC), and in partnership the U.S. Department of Education, developed the TCO tool by working with four "case study" school districts of varying sizes in California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Utah. The TCO tool will be fully accessible in April 2003. A detailed list of data-points required to use the tool is available at http://www.classroomtco.org. Register now at the TCO site to receive updates about when the TCO tool is fully operational.

Total Cost of Ownership Webcourse 
Register for CoSN's Total Cost of Ownership for School Leaders web course on the National School Boards Association's Online Learning Center Campus (April 14 - May 26, 2003). Moderated by Marla Davenport, Director, Learning & Technology, TIES, this five-week online course is designed to help you grapple with issues of fiscal accountability; provide a framework outlining the major considerations when budgeting for technology integration; and help you respond to the school board and community concerns about investments in educational technology.  Cost is $225 for continuing education credits.  Register at http://www.nsba.org/olc/olc.cfm?assn=2

CoSN Compendium
Many issues in K-12 networking, including leadership and policy concerns, confront and confound decision-makers in schools, districts, and states. A new CoSN publication, called the CoSN Compendium, explores these issues. The first edition is now available and offers educational technology perspectives - both policy and practical - on topics important to K-12 technology decision makers. See a sample monograph at http://www.cosn.org/initiatives/compendium/3.pdf. CoSN members have free online access to the Compendium. Print copies of the entire eight monographs can be purchased for $39.00 (Members) and $59.00 (Non-Members). Individual printed monographs can be purchased for $7.00 and $10.00 respectively. http://209.190.169.202/store/compendium.html.
 

  Classroom Observation Tools To Measure Ed Tech Impact

A recently published ATEC report focuses on the current status of classroom observation protocols and their potential for measuring the impact of the use of technology on classroom practices. The paper, "Classroom Observation Protocols: Potential Tools for Measuring the Impact of Technology in the Classroom," relates to the legislative provisions that require extensive documentation on the extent to which the technology is not only available to teachers and students, but how teachers in various classroom settings are using technologies. Existing reporting efforts do not provide solid evidence of the impact that the technology is having on classroom practices of both teachers and students. That's where classroom observation protocols can be very helpful and effective.

The paper describes several classroom observation protocols that are currently in use or under development. Peter Dirr, author of the paper, finds that most of the developers of these protocols are working in isolation from one another. Consequently, the protocols are not compatible with one another.  Thus, the data they gather is not aggregatable, and does not contribute to building either a nationwide or statewide snapshot of the impact of current practices, nor creates a significant and usable database of ed/tech applications and approaches.  For a copy, see: http://www.the-atec.org/library/atec-p&p104tools-web.pdf   

 Family Center On Technology And Disability

The Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs has created the Family Center on Technology and Disability (FCTD) to provide information about assistive technologies to organizations that work with the families of children with disabilities. ***Source: US Department of Education http://www.fctd.info   

 2003 AASA Conference Focused on How To Do More With Less
Though the official conference theme was “Leadership in Changing Times,” the unofficial theme of the 2003 AASA Conference was how to do more with less—a reaction to the increased accountability in K-12 public education spurred on by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and also the serious budget shortfalls affecting states from coast to coast. Stressing that the goals of NCLB were embraced by school leaders long before there was any legislation to mandate them, AASA President John R. Lawrence (Superintendent of the Troy School District in MO) introduced a new term for “adequate yearly progress,” the benchmark for meeting the law’s tough new requirements: “universal proficiency.”   

Several suggestions were discusses on how to reach universal proficiency. These include:  

• Creating community homework centers that are open after school and in the evenings, where students can get the help they need from skilled tutors (teachers and the “best and brightest” students).
• Using specific software (demonstrated by various vendors at the conference) that helps educators pinpoint student skill levels and identify those students in need of extra assistance, and software that help school leaders make more informed instructional decisions about using student achievement information.
• Fostering partnerships with members of the business community that bolster the core mission of their respective institutions (Vendors presented “guiding principles” to helping form successful alliances with private-sector companies and showcased programs that exemplify the spirit of school-business collaboration.)

***Source: eSchool News online, March 4, 2003. http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showStoryalert.cfm?ArticleID=4268    

  MOREnet K-12 Technology Network Program (K-12 TNP) FY04 Overview
--Submitted by Eric Nicklas, Program Manager, K-12 Technology Network Program, MOREnet  

FY04 Participation Fees  
K-12 TNP participation fees will remain the same for FY04 as in FY03. The participation fees are based on the number of certified full-time staff in the school district as of July 1, 2002. MOREnet will send (via U.S. postal mail) invoices for participation fees in August and September 2003.  

FY04 K-12 TNP Proposed Participation Fees*
Number of certified staff             
49 or fewer FTE                         $1,500  
50-99 FTE                                  $3,000  
100-499 FTE                              $4,500  
500 or more FTE                        $6,000  

*The proposed participation fees depend on final approval of the Missouri State budget by the State Legislature. If the proposed budget does not receive the necessary approval, the FY04 participation fees may change.  

K-12 TNP will provide the same services in FY04 that it provided last year. Go to http://www.more.net/programs/k12tnp/services.html for detailed information on the services available through MOREnet’s K-12 TNP. 

MOREnet will send (via U.S. postal mail) FY04 K-12 TNP packets to superintendents in April. The program packets will contain specific information on costs and services. Complete K-12 TNP information is always available on MOREnet’s website at http://www.more.net/programs/k12tnp/.            

kinetic (e-mail and Web Hosting)  
MOREnet’s kinetic service allows school districts to provide e-mail accounts to staff, students or both, and host their websites with special features like a community calendar and search engine.

kinetic provides a reliable, low-cost way for districts to receive e-mail and Web hosting services:

            E-mail accounts and webspace are administered locally.

            A Web-based e-mail client will be available soon.

The district does not incur the trouble and expense of maintaining hardware and software associated with providing these services.

MOREnet has been running this service without interruption for more than 350 days. Check out http://www.more.net/services/kinetic/ for more information.  

FY04 kinetic fees  
$200 annual administrative fee  
Number of accounts       Annual cost per account  
1-20                                          $4.00  
21-100                                      $3.50  
101-500                                    $3.00     
501 or more                              $2.50  

Videoconferencing MCU port leasing  
MOREnet will continue to provide videoconferencing Multi-Channel Unit (MCU) port leasing for districts that want to deliver H.323 videoconferencing services. MOREnet anticipates no increase in the MCU lease fee structure for FY04. Complete MCU lease fee information will be available on MOREnet’s website when it becomes available (http://www.more.net/technical/video/).  

Questions?  
Please direct questions about the costs and services available through the K-12 Technology Network Program and MOREnet to Eric Nicklas, K-12 TNP Program Manager, at (573) 884-7200 or eric@more.net.  


    Missouri Educational Technology Conference -- October 19-21, 2003
--Submitted by Eric Nicklas, Program Manager, K-12 Technology Network Program, MOREnet  

 “Teacher-Driven Technology” is the theme for the 2003 Missouri Educational Technology Conference sponsored by Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and Missouri Research and Education Network (MOREnet). The Missouri Educational Technology Conference provides information on current technologies, solutions and future directions for educators, administrators and technology specialists. Join more than 1,000 participants for over 100 presentations, workshops and hands-on demonstrations in the newest technology and techniques in the fields of education and educational technology. Visit more than 100 exhibits of the latest equipment and materials, all on display at Tan-Tar-A in Osage Beach, Missouri.   

For complete details visit the conference website: http://www.more.net/services/conferences/fall2003/.  

The online submission forms for conference presentations, student exhibits, and vendors will be available in early March at the conference website.  

Presentation proposal applications will be accepted until April 15, 2003.  

Missouri teachers may submit their students’ technology projects for consideration as student exhibits until April 15, 2003.  

Vendors to the educational technology community are invited to apply for booth space to exhibit their products and services. The application deadline is October 3, 2003.  

Online registration for “Teacher-Driven Technology” will be available August 25 – October 3 from the conference website.


    Call for Student Exhibits: 2003 MO Educational Technology Conference
--Submitted by Lisa Walters, Library Media and Technology Consultant, DESE  
conferences@more.net  

Deadline: April 15, 2003  
All Missouri teachers are invited to submit their students' technology projects for exhibition at the 2003 Missouri Educational Technology Conference, October 19-21, 2003, at Tan-Tar-A in Osage Beach, Mo. This opportunity provides students the chance to demonstrate and exhibit their work. Not only do the students gain valuable experience in speaking with individuals and communicating their ideas, but educators attending the conference experience real examples of exciting uses of technology.  

Projects using technology that are written and/or produced by students are appropriate for these exhibits. Only original student creations or projects that have appropriate copyright permissions from original copyright holders will be accepted for exhibition. Projects might include videotaped documentaries, student-written tutorials, problem solving exercises/games, CD-ROM applications, video yearbooks, computer-assisted designs and/or drafting, computer programs, multimedia projects or other applications of technology.  

All questions about exhibiting student projects at this event should be directed to Lisa Walters at lwalters@mail.dese.state.mo.us or (573) 526-4900.  

To submit an application and find out complete information about the 2003 Missouri Educational Technology Conference, go to http://www.more.net/services/conferences/fall2003/.  
 

  The  Second Annual METPA Technology Leadership Awards  
www.metpa.org

Nominations due May 1, 2003  
Best District, School or Classroom Web Page Award:  
Nominate your District, building or classroom web page for this annual recognition. Provide your URL on the form below for consideration.

Judging Criteria:

Clarity of purpose: The site clearly promotes the mission of the school or district.

Content: The site provides valuable content and clarity for the user.

Organization: The site is logically organized; navigation tools are easy and intuitive to use.

Appearance and design: The graphic design of the site is appealing and inviting to the end-user.
 Good use of graphics and layout. Can be viewed clearly on multiple platforms and multiple browsers.

Creativity and Marketing: The site shows evidence of creativity and effective marketing of your district, school or classroom.

Technology: The site loads quickly and there are no dead-end or out of date links. The site is ADA compliant and takes advantage of current technologies while also allowing older browsers with few plug-ins to view the pages.

Best Practice Award -for Best Practice in Technology Professional Development:  
Nominate your district or building for your successful implementation of a staff development effort that has led to the increased integration of technology in your school or district.

Provide a summary not to exceed two pages which identifies each of the criteria below.

Judging Criteria:

        Description of activity: A brief description of the professional development effort. Who was the target audience  and what were the proposed outcomes? What were the results?

Clarity of activity: The effort clearly promotes the mission of the school or district and advances the effective use of instructional technology.

Ease of replication: This activity could be replicated at other districts or buildings with minimal problems .

Handouts or other resource materials developed: (Not counted toward two page limit.) Please attach any resources developed for this activity (may include links to web based resources created specifically for this professional development activity.)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Best District, School or Classroom Web Page Award:

Name of Contact person or person making the nomination:______________________________

Contact e-mail address:_________________________________________________________

School District: _________________________________Phone Number:_________________

School Building (if applicable)___________________________________________________

Web site URL:_______________________________________________________________

Comments about your site:______________________________________________________

Best Practice Award - for Best Practice in Technology Professional Development:

Name of Contact person or person making the nomination:_______________________________

Contact e-mail address:__________________________________________________________

School District: _______________________________Phone Number:_____________________

School Building (if applicable)_____________________________________________________

Staff Development Activity Title:___________________________________________________

Attach all documentation for your Professional Development activity.

MAIL TO:      METPA TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP AWARDS c/o Doug Allen  
                        4917 MILTON CT, INDEPENDENCE, MO 64055  
                        For further information e-mail doug@dallen.us

2002 First Place winners are not eligible for 2003 Awards  
 

  Third Annual MoDLA Conference-- St. Louis, July 17-18  
 http://www.modla.org/ann_conf_03.pdf  

Do you want to know more about interactive videoconferencing?  Do you want to know more about cost effective training for your agency?  Do you want to know more about emerging technologies?  Do you want to know more about place-based learning?  Do you want to learn about the benefits of telemedicine?  Then join us for the Third Annual Missouri Distance Learning Association Conference, "Distance Learning: The Classroom of the Future" to be held at the Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel in St. Louis, MO on July 17 and 18, 2003.  

On Thursday, July 17th choose from two pre-conferences.   Barbara Poore, Coordinator of Field Services for the Rural School and Community Trust, will be presenting "Living and Learning in Place: Strategies for Enhancing Student Learning and Improving Community Life," and Bob Donaldson, President and Media Consultant for Communication Associates, will present "Sustaining a Telemedicine Network."  That evening, there will be a vendor reception and the opening keynote delivered by Dr. Debbie Silver, an award winning educator with thirty years experience as a classroom teacher, staff developer, and university professor.  

Activities on July 18th start with a morning keynote by Marci Powell, president of Vibrant-C, a distance learning consulting and training company.  Marci is also Vice President-Elect of State Chapters for the United States Distance Learning Association.  The day follows with 24 break out sessions in the following strands: Teaching and Learning, Classroom of the Future, Community Networking, E-Learning Issues, Management Techniques and Initiatives, and Videoconferencing.  

This conference offers ideas and support for integrating distance learning into our professions.  With ever shrinking budgets, distance learning offers real hope and solutions for keeping staff and students alike on the cutting edge of information and learning.  Don't miss this tremendous opportunity to learn more about distance learning and how it will serve educators, healthcare and businesses now and in the future!  For more information, or to register, go to www.modla.org or call Dorothy White at 1-800-835-8282 ext. 250 or dwhite@csd.org .
 

  Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program (LSL)  
http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2003-1/030603b.html    
(Federal Register: March 6, 2003 [CFDA# 84.364A]) (Federal Government Library Grant)    

The purpose of this program is to improve student literacy skills and academic achievement by providing students with increased access to up-to-date school library materials; a well-equipped, technologically advanced school library media center; and well-trained, professionally certified school library media specialists.  

Eligible Applicants: Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) in which at least 20 percent of the students served by the LEA are from families with incomes below the poverty line.  (20 U.S.C. 6383).  A list of LEAs with their family poverty rates is posted on the web at: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/LSL .  

Deadline for Notification of Intent to Apply for Funding: We strongly encourage each potential applicant to notify us by March  28, 2003, of your intent to submit an application for funding.  We will be able to develop a more efficient process for reviewing grant applications if we have an estimate of the number of entities that intend to apply for funding under this competition. Notifications should be sent by e-mail to the following address: LSL@ed.gov.  Please put "Notice of Intent" in the subject line.  Applicants that fail to provide this e-mail notification may still apply for funding.  

    Applications Available: March 6, 2003.  
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 28, 2003.
    Estimated Available Funds: $12,000,000.  
    Estimated Range of Awards: $20,000 to $350,000.  
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $75,000.  
    Estimated Number of Awards: 75-100.
    Additional Information: Applicable regulations, priorities, selection criteria, & other information are available in the Federal Register notice.  
 

  Citizenship Educator Award

Citizenship Educator  
The Citizenship Educator is a law related education newsletter. For a democracy to survive, its citizens must possess, at the least, an understanding of the laws and the structure of its government. For a democracy to thrive, its citizens must possess a commitment to improve their communities and nation. Citizenship education develops the nation's potential while enriching the lives of Missouri's students. Please visit our archive of past issues of the Citizenship Educator newsletter.  

E.A. Richter Award Winners Honored

At the Spring Citizenship Education Conference, held recently in Columbia, the Advisory Committee on Citizenship Education honored five individuals and the bar´s YLS Section with the E.A.Richter Award for Excellence in Citizenship Education. Pictured above are: (left to right) Dr. Rick Hardy, Linda Hutton, YLS representative Brian Francka, E.A. Richter, Don Barzowski, Timothy O´Rourke, Warren Solomon and Russ Sackreiter. The ACCE also announced the creation of a new award, the Dr.Warren H. Solomon Award for Civic Virtue, which will be given each year to an educator who exemplifies the commitment to civics education that Dr. Solomon has demonstrated throughout his career. 
 

  Show-Me TechKnowledge 2003 School Reports 

The second annual Show-Me TechKnowledge Day was held on February 26, 2003 from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda on the third floor, in Jefferson City.  This was an opportunity for educators and students to showcase learning through technology to invited Missouri legislators, students, parents, and visitors.  Representatives from various educational groups, businesses, and organizations throughout the state were supporters of the Show-Me TechKnowledge Day. Thirteen school districts from across the state in grades K-12 displayed outstanding technology projects currently being used in Missouri classrooms to enhance learning and improve student achievement.  Newsline is proud to share the following school reports.  

Camdenton R-III
--Submitted by Nona HarringtonTechnology Education Coordinator, Camdenton R-III Schools  

The Osage Beach Elementary School was honored to be selected to present our 4th-grade project on "Missouri" at the second annual Show-Me TechKnowledge Day held on the third floor in the Capitol February 26, 2003. We hope those who watched our students present their projects understand the positive effect technology has upon our teachers and students.  

Being able to present at Show-Me Techknowledge Day brought new insight and understanding to the students for the duties of our elected officials. Our State Senator, Mr. John T. Russell and State Representative, Dr. Wayne Cooper made our students feel so honored to be presenters by visiting the students at their project center, and also by making them honorary "Pages" for the day. They made them feel genuinely welcome, and it was appreciated by our students, parents and teachers. 

Princeton R-V  
--Submitted by Megan Ormsby, Contemporary Issues Student, Princeton High School  

“3…2…1… This is a Tiger One Broadcast.” On February 25th and 26th, students in Dan Wiebers’ Contemporary Issues class took a trip to Jefferson City for the second annual Show-Me TechKnowledge Day to showcase their Tiger One Broadcast. Wiebers thought TechKnowledge Day was a great experience for the students. “The students and I got a chance to show off all of our hard work to government officials and other schools.”  

Terri Moore, Princeton High School’s technology coordinator, discovered Show-Me TechKnowledge Day and was responsible for entering the class in the presentation.  Princeton High School’s Tiger One staff was one of thirteen schools in the state of Missouri selected to participate.  

Princeton’s project consisted of a video made by the students explaining what is shown on their weekly news program, Tiger One, which is based on the nationally known Channel One news broadcast for secondary students.  Tiger One, which is shown every Friday, covers special projects at PHS along with sporting events, class projects, and other school news.  Also included in the video was a segment of the video yearbook which will be sold at the end of the year.  

At TechKnowledge Day, the students showed off their video editing equipment for other students, district representatives, state senators, and other visitors at the Missouri Capitol building.  Shila Sperry, a participant of Tech Knowedge Day and member of the class, felt that Princeton’s display was the best.  “The best part of being able to show off our work at the Capitol was the fact that our presentation seemed to be the most popular because everyone was watching ours.”  The students also had the opportunity to share their video with our District Representative Jim Whorton.  Whorton presented the class with a plaque and introduced the students as his guests on the House floor.  

Suzy Gauldin, member of the Contemporary Issues class, believes that all of the hard work the class did paid off.  “I was glad we were chosen to represent our district at TechKnowledge Day. We worked as a team to make this happen and we did a great job.” 

Students who attended were Chad Tudeen, Josh Smith, Megan Ormsby, Shila Sperry, Suzy Gauldin, Sarah Berger Jennifer Watkins, Nikki Lutzen, Melinda Delameter and Keri Preston.  Chaperones were George Scurlock, Lori Pulsand and Dan Wiebers.  Rebecca Franklin, member of the Contempory Issues class was unable to attend due to illness.  

Warsaw R-IX  
--Submitted by Bill Gant, Technology Coordinator, Warsaw R-IX Schools    

Our first experience at the annual Show-Me Techknowledge Day was exceptional. We thoroughly enjoyed showcasing our CLC / SALT program to our legislators and the visiting public. We were pleased that our program was so well received among all those who saw it. Our legislators particularly liked the title of our presentation: “Steak on a Hamburger Budget”. They were impressed that we were able to use resources from the State Government, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Natural Resources, MOREnet, State Fair Community College, our own district, and our local community to make our ideas a reality. With the looming budget cuts, we were also commended for making efficient use of the resources that we were given.  

Congrats go out to all participating school districts for their desire to implement technology into the classroom. We were particularly amazed at the amount of small, rural schools participating in the event. Being from a small district, we were impressed that schools of that size are able to provide their kids with the education they deserve. Overall we were very impressed with the whole event…from the setup and orchestration to the refreshments; everything was handled in a wonderfully professional and efficient manner. Thanks for a wonderful time.

"I am impressed with their program and their ability to 'think outside the box' when it comes to finding the funding for their project.  It's this style of innovative thinking that not only separates them, but must be incorporated into our budget structure process." (Rep. Tom Self)
 

  Missouri Schools and Programs in the News  

St. Louis City
St. Louis Public Schools recently received the Microsoft Center of Excellence Award for their innovative use of  K-12 technology. Read about their accomplishments, the program, and how others can benefit from their experiences at www.microsoft.com/education/   Congratulations!  

Clayton, Parkway South and Bayless
Paul Hoelscher’s international politics class looks at war from United States perspective and beyond. The students are providing answers to some questions about what is going on in the Middle East. The Clayton High Videoconference story appeared in the Post Dispatch on Thursday, March 6.  Parkway South and Bayless High School also participated in this videoconference with Iraqi students. The St. Louis schools viewed the videoconference only, while U.S. students at a high school in Connecticut and students in Baghdad dialoged. St. Louis Consolidated School District provided the bridge. Check out the full story at http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/News/807D21A92DB5A0E386256  
CE1001F5EA1?OpenDocument&Headline=Politics+class+looks+at+war+from+U.S.+pers pective+and+beyond+  

Willard  
Chip Gann, eMINTS teacher at Willard East Elementary, and his students created a project called “Where In Missouri Is Lou Smoo?”  His class is fortunate to go on many field trips as they study Missouri History.  Unfortunately, they cannot visit all of the interesting historical places that Missouri has to offer.  So they decided to send a puppet named Lou Smoo to fourth grade classrooms across the state to visit towns and go on field trips to historical areas with other students.  Through this project they are learning more about our state through the eyes of Lou Smoo and his host classrooms. The site is available for students across the state to visit and learn along with them. Visit the travel log on the website to view some of his adventures.  http://www.emintsteachers.more.net/gannw/Lou/travel.htm  
 

  Copyright Question of the Month

Q.  Who could be involved as a vicarious infringer?  

A.  On occasion, one person may be held liable for the infringing acts of another person. This is called “vicarious liability.”  

One person may be held liable for the infringing act of another.  In order to be held vicariously liable for the acts of another, a person must:

1)       have the right to control the actions of the other (even if control is not actually exercised), and

2)       receive a financial benefit, direct or indirect, from the infringement.  

NOTE: Lack of knowledge that the primary actor is actually engaged in infringing conduct is not a defense under these circumstances.

In various circumstances, vicarious liability may be lacking because of the absence of supervision over the person performing the infringing activities or because of the absence of direct financial interest in the infringing activities.  Nevertheless, third party liability may still exist via contributory infringement if the individual acts with knowledge and his/her activities aid the primary infringer in accomplishing his/her illegitimate activity.  
 

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