Education Technology K12 Voucher Program

1
Education Technology K-12 Voucher Program

• CTAP Region 11
• L.A. County Office of Education

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Overview

• The Education Technology K-12 Voucher Program
  resulted from the Settlement Agreement between
  California consumers and a software company.
• 2/3 of the funds remaining after the consumer
  settlement has been satisfied will be available
  for dissemination via vouchers to eligible
  schools.

3
Settlement

• The conditions and restrictions have been
  determined by the legal settlement
• The total amount for California is about 500 M
• The CDE is estimating voucher amounts to be
  between 98-150 per student at eligible schools

4
Settlement Timeline

• September 18, 2006 Posting of the online Request
  for Applications (RFA).
• The RFA will include the estimated award amount,
  based on all potentially eligible schools being
  funded.
• September 25, 2006 LEAs receive notification of
  the voucher allocation for their eligible
  schools, and on a weekly basis after this date,
  based on completion of RFA.
• June 30, 2008 The online RFA completion deadline.

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Timeline at a glance
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Settlement Timeline

• July 1, 2006 The start date for purchases under
  this program (an earlier date is possible).
• August 2008 The voucher allocations will be
  recalculated and revised voucher award
  notifications are sent to LEAs.
• September 2012 Vouchers redemption deadline
  (actual date in September TBD).
• TBD Second Cy Pres allocation is determined and
  online RFA is posted.

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Eligibility

• Eligible schools are ALL K-12 public schools at
  which at least 40 of the attending students are
  eligible to receive free or reduced price meals.
• Eligible schools also include all public high
  schools in California that serve students from
  eligible elementary, middle and junior high
  schools (Feeder School Provision).

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High School Eligibility
Eligible Elementary
Eligible Middle
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Elementary Middle Schools
High School
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Eligibility, contd.

• The definition of a public high school, for the
  purposes of this program, is any school that
  serves
• Grade 9 only, or
• One or more grades 10-12, and no grade below 7
• Only public high schools may qualify under the
  feeder school provision.
• The feeder school provision applies to all
  continuation, alternative, and other types of
  schools that meet the definition.

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Eligibility, contd.

• The definition of a feeder school to a regular
  public high school is any eligible elementary or
  middle and junior high school that resides within
  the attendance boundaries for the high school.
• The definition of a feeder school to an open
  enrollment or magnet public high school is any
  eligible elementary or middle and junior high
  school with students that are currently (2006-07)
  enrolled in the high school.

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Eligibility, contd.

• Districts must have a current, state-approved
  technology plan.
• Districts will apply for the vouchers on behalf
  of their eligible schools.
• State Special Schools, Direct Funded Charter
  Schools, and County Offices of Education do not
  have to meet the state-approved technology plan
  requirement and will apply on their own behalf.

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Online RFA Process

• The online RFA process for LEAs to apply on
  behalf of their eligible schools will work as
  follows
• Lead Education Agency (LEA) receives notification
  letter with PIN and password from the CDE
• Authorized LEA representative logs in and
  completes information for electronic signature
  (name, title, phone, fax, email, etc.)
• Authorized LEA representative enters up to three
  LEA contacts who are authorized to sign and
  submit the voucher redemption forms (name, title,
  phone, fax, email, etc.)

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Online RFA Process

• Logs on.
• Enters 3 names to submit vouchers
• View eligible schools
• If needed for H.S., identify 1 feeder
• Narrative on use vouchers

District gets PIN Password from CDE to apply
for eligible schools
LEA prints application, obtains an original ink
signature, and files for audit purposes
LEA submits application electronically for
approval
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Online RFA Process

• The online RFA process for LEAs to apply on
  behalf of their eligible schools will work as
  follows
• LEA views list of eligible elementary,
  middle/junior high, and high schools, based upon
  the October 2005 CBEDS
• If the LEA has high schools with less than 40
  free or reduced lunch eligibility, on a school by
  school basis they must identify ONE eligible
  elementary or middle/junior high feeder school
  for each high school

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Online RFA Process, contd.

• The online RFA process for LEAs to apply on
  behalf of their eligible schools will work as
  follows
• District enters a 2 paragraph narrative on how
  the vouchers will be utilized to support the
  implementation of the districts technology plan.
• County Offices, Direct-Funded Charters, State
  Special Schools enter a 2 paragraph narrative on
  how the vouchers will be utilized to support the
  implementation of their technology plan or other
  planning document.

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Online RFA Process, contd.

• The online RFA process for LEAs to apply on
  behalf of their eligible schools will work as
  follows
• LEA prints its application, obtains an original
  ink signature, and files the application for
  audit purposes (similar to ConApp process).
• LEA submits its application electronically for
  approval.

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RFA Approval Process

• Once the LEA has submitted its application
• The CDE reviews, approves, and submits the
  information to the Settlement Claims
  Administrator (SCA).
• The SCA sends the Voucher Award letter to the LEA.

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RFA Implementation Planning

• To ensure that the RFA process goes smoothly, the
  following actions are strongly recommended
• Sign-up for the CDE Funding Opportunities
  listserv to be notified when the RFA is released
  (http//www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/af/joinlist.asp).
• If the LEA has schools that meet the public high
  school definition but have less than 40 free or
  reduced lunch eligibility, do the research to
  identify the feeder school(s), if applicable.

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RFA Implementation Planning

• To ensure that the RFA process goes smoothly, the
  following actions are strongly recommended
• Assemble a team of district stakeholders,
  including curriculum, technology, and
  administration representatives.
• Review your current district technology plan.
• Discuss how these funds can support the plans
  curriculum and professional development
  objectives.
• Create a 4-6 year plan to expend these funds to
  support the technology plan objectives.
• Work with your regional CTAP to prepare the two
  paragraph LEA technology plan narrative.

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Implementation

• How can vouchers support plan?
• Provide for
• Professional Development
• Total Cost of Ownership

Make plan for 4-6 years

• Assemble Stakeholders
• Review Tech Plan
• Curriculum Prof. Development

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Voucher Allocation

• The October 2005 CBEDS data will be used to
  determine the amount of vouchers for each
  eligible school.
• The allocation is estimated to be from 98 to
  150 per student.
• Allocation is based upon the total enrollment at
  eligible schools.
• LEAs may determine amount of vouchers to be
  utilized at each school, but vouchers may only be
  utilized at eligible schools.

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Voucher Allocation
LEAs can allocate vouchers in any amount BUT only
on eligible schools
98 to 150 per student will be recalculated in
2008
Allocation is on Total Enrollment at Eligible
School
Greater than 40 FRPM creates eligible school
Based on October 2005 CBEDS
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Voucher Allocation by Type


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Voucher 50-50

• General Purpose
• Qualifying Hardware
• Professional Development
• Certification Training
• Evaluation Tools
• Qualifying Software
• IT Support Services

Software
Operating System Word Processing
Spreadsheet Presentation Desktop relational
database Web-authoring Productivity
Suite Encyclopedia Server
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General PurposeVouchers

• These vouchers may be redeemed for any qualifying
  hardware
• Any new desktop, laptop or tablet computer for
  any operating system
• Peripheral devices, specifically meaning
  printers, scanners, monitors, keyboards and
  pointing devices (e.g., mouse, trackball, etc.)
• Equipment needed for networking and
  infrastructure (e.g., routers, servers, wireless
  network cards, or wireless access points)

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General Purpose Vouchers, contd.

• These vouchers may be redeemed for any qualifying
  hardware
• Hardware for accessing the Internet through
  television sets and Internet access for such
  hardware for students' homes
• Non-custom assistive technology devices for use
  by students with special needs
• Data storage and management at remote sites
• Cost of products may not exceed standard academic
  price

27
General Purpose Vouchers, contd.

• These vouchers may be redeemed for any qualifying
  software
• Any non-custom software title from any publisher
  that are designed for use on any Qualifying
  Hardware
• Cost of software may not exceed standard academic
  price

28
General Purpose Vouchers, contd.

• These vouchers may be redeemed for Evaluation
  Tools
• Monitoring use of vouchers
• Gathering evaluation data
• Cost of products may not exceed standard academic
  price

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General Purpose Vouchers, contd.

• These vouchers may be redeemed for IT Support
  Services, which are services that
• Primarily involve the support and maintenance of
  hardware procured through this Settlement
• Primarily involve the installation and
  maintenance of software procured through this
  Settlement
• Cost of products may not exceed standard academic
  price

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General Purpose Vouchers, contd.

• May be redeemed for any qualifying Professional
  Development Services directed solely at
• Leadership development for school administrators
  in the use of education technology
• General curriculum development and instructional
  strategies which utilize educational technology
• Improvement of technology integration for any
  software title acquired through the Settlement
• Training in the use of any hardware or any
  software title acquired through the Settlement
• Certification training for software and networking

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General Purpose Vouchers Advice

• Before the LEA purchases any product or service
  that does not clearly meet the General Purpose
  Voucher criteria, the LEA should contact the
  Settlement Claims Administrator (SCA) to verify
  the product or service eligibility.
• For information on product or service redemption
  eligibility, contact the SCA call center for the
  California Education Technology K-12 Voucher
  Program. The toll free number is 800-419-5286.
  Current hours of operation are 700 a.m. to 430
  p.m. PST. 

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Software Vouchers

• May only be redeemed for any non-custom software
  title from any publisher that has substantially
  similar functionality to categories like
  productivity on the next slide.

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Software Vouchers, contd.

• Operating system
• Word processing
• Spreadsheet
• Presentation
• Desktop relational database
• Web-authoring
• Productivity and/or Productivity Suite
  Encyclopedia

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Software Vouchers, contd.

• Additionally, any non-custom software title from
  any publisher that meets the following criteria
• Server software, including client access licenses
• Eligible software bundled with a computer
  purchased with the General Purpose Vouchers
• Eligible schools may also select a license
  program that gives students the option to use the
  software at home
• Cost of software may not exceed standard academic
  price

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Software Vouchers Advice

• Before the LEA purchases any software that does
  not clearly meet the Software Voucher criteria,
  the LEA should contact the SCA to verify the
  software eligibility.
• For information on product or service redemption
  eligibility, contact the SCA call center for the
  California Education Technology K-12 Voucher
  Program. The toll free number is 800-419-5286.
  Current hours of operation are 700 a.m. to 430
  p.m. PST.

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Voucher First Step

• Get approval for purchase
• Settlement Claims Administrator
• Web www.EdTechK12VP.com
• Email ClaimsAdmin_at_EdTechK12VP.com
• Phone [phone] (700 a.m. to 430 p.m. PST)

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Voucher Restrictions
x
x
x
x
Handhelds
Video conferencing
x
Memory or Storage Devices
x
x
LCD Projectors
Cables, Speakers
CDs and other media
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Voucher Restrictions

• Vouchers may be not be redeemed for
• Personal digital assistants and other hand-held
  devices
• Video conferencing equipment
• Cables, speakers, tape back up or storage units,
  read/write devices (i.e. external hard drives,
  USB drives, CD/DVD drives, etc.), zip drives,
  memory, video or audio cards, motherboards, CPUs,
  and LCD projectors that are not for data from
  computers.
• Video and audio tapes, CDs, or DVDs

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Voucher Restrictions, contd.

• Vouchers may be not be redeemed for
• Costs for substitutes
• Salaries (unless directly related to goods and/or
  services purchased with program vouchers- such as
  IT support and professional development, and the
  LEA is an approved provider)
• Insurance (but warranties are ok) on goods
  acquired with program vouchers
• Indirect costs

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Voucher Restrictions, contd.

• Vouchers may supplement, but not supplant state
  and/or federal program funds
• Vouchers may not be redeemed for the discounted
  or reimbursed portion of a product and/or
  service, i.e. E-RATE, AB 466, etc.
• Professional development and/or IT support
  services redemption may only be for those
  services provided by approved providers(The
  list of approved providers can be found at
  http//www.cde.ca.gov/ls/et/st/voucherproviders.as
  p)

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Voucher Redemption Process

• Vouchers will be redeemed using the following
  process
• The LEA contacts the SCA to verify product or
  service eligibility, if applicable.
• The LEA purchases the allowable goods or services
  using existing funding
• The LEA submits the voucher redemption form with
  required documentation to the SCA (information on
  what must be submitted will be printed on the
  voucher redemption form)

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Voucher Redemption Steps
The LEA contacts the SCA to verify product or
service eligibility
Once approved, the SCA sends the check to the LEA
along with an updated voucher form (30 days)
LEA purchases the allowable goods or services
using existing funding
LEA submits the voucher redemption form with
required documenta-tion to the SCA
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Voucher Redemption Process, contd

• Vouchers will be redeemed using the following
  process
• The SCA reviews the submission and follows up
  with the LEA if corrections are needed
• Once approved, the SCA sends the check to the LEA
  along with an updated voucher form
• The process will take 30 days
• The SCA is required to post, on a public Web
  site, the voucher award amount and redemption
  status for all LEAs

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Voucher Redemption Issues

• To ensure that the process goes smoothly for
  LEAs, the following actions are strongly
  recommended
• Before purchasing goods or services, verify with
  the SCA that they are allowable
• Be aware that vendors may believe that any of
  their products or services are allowable because
  they are on the approved professional development
  or IT services provider list

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Voucher Redemption Issues, contd

• To ensure that the process goes smoothly for
  LEAs, the following actions are strongly
  recommended
• If goods or services are also eligible for
  discounts or reimbursement, setup the claims to
  avoid double-dipping
• If an LEA provides professional development
  and/or IT support services, the LEA should apply
  to be an approved provider (June 30, 2012,
  deadline for applying)
• Develop a plan to fully utilize the Software
  Vouchers over the next six years

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For More Information

• CDE Ed Tech Voucher Program Web Site
• http//www.cde.ca.gov/ls/et/st/voucher.asp
• CTAP Ed Tech Voucher Program Web Site
• http//ctap.lacoe.edu
• Mary Lou Harbison or Dennis Large
• harbison_marylou_at_lacoe.edu
• large_dennis_at_lacoe.edu
• Phone [phone]

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Settlement Claims Administrator

• Starting 9/20/06, Districts can contact SCA by
  phone or email to ask specific product
  eligibility
• Confirmation number will be provided
• Internal eligible/not eligible products/services
  listed in a database for internal staff use
• Answers will be given to districts in 30 calendar
  days regarding specific product eligibility

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The Opportunity The Challenge

• Show impact show a return on your investment
• Slow down
• Breathe - there is no rush, the funds are secure
• Dream - create the big picture
• Plan
• Look to your Tech Use Plan
• Focus on content area(s) or grade spans
• Plan for the future
• Practice best practices
• Consider total cost of ownership
• Remember - the research points toward
  professional development

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