The Utah Digital Teaching and Learning Grant Program
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The document outlines a plan from the Digital Teaching and Learning Task Force to create a statewide grant program that would provide funding to support technology-powered learning in schools. The Task Force was composed of various stakeholders and developed a comprehensive master plan based on best practices to transform teaching through technology. The plan calls for ongoing funding from the legislature to support infrastructure, devices, content, and administration of the grant program.
The Utah Digital Teaching and Learning Grant Program
- 1. ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS For Technology Powered Learning The Digital Teaching and Learning Grant Program
- 2. Legislature provides funding for a State Board of Education Task Force to study an issue State Board creates Task Force Task Force makes recommendation to State Board State Board reports to Legislature and makes funding request Legislature enacts program and appropriates funding State Board implements program by Rule and evaluates/reports back to Legislature A Blueprint for future collaboration between the State Board and the Legislature:
- 3. DIGITAL TEACHING AND LEARNING TASK FORCE • Task Force met 14 times over the Summer of 2015 (consensus Master Plan) • Task Force composed of cross section of stakeholders: • 3 members of the State Board • 4 Superintendents (rural & urban) • 1 Charter School Executive Director • 2 School Technology Directors (rural & urban) • 2 Legislators (Rep. Knotwell & Sen. Stephenson) • Chair, Governor’s Commission on Excellence in Education • Task Force staffed by USOE and UETN • Consultants • Common Sense Education (Master Consultant), Greaves Group (Change Management Consultant), Metiri Group (Metrics Consultant)
- 4. ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS FOR TECHNOLOGY POWERED LEARNING • Section 1: Introduction • Section 2: Program Metrics of Success • Section 3: Leadership and Change Management • Section 4: Professional Learning • Section 5: Communication • Section 6: Infrastructure • Section 7: Digital Content and Software and Devices • Section 8: Technical Support • Section 9: Procurement • Section 10: Cost Proposal • Section 11: State Qualifying Grant Program • Section 12: Timeline • Section 13: Research Cited • Section 14: Appendices Comprehensive Plan based upon best practices
- 5. Why Digital Teaching & Learning? Transforms the way teaching is delivered (both in and outside of the classroom) Our children live in a “technology driven world” (we must prepare them to live and compete in that world) Its interactive (not a digital textbook; hones critical thinking skills) Allows for individualized personal learning (teachers are able to target instruction and the pace of instruction to individual student needs – 24/7 learning) Has the potential to increase student achievement dramatically (unleashes the power of computer adaptive assessment)
- 6. Is there evidence that technology makes a difference in furthering student achievement? Computer Adaptive Assessment (SAGE) is one method of utilizing technology to empower teachers. This has been borne-out by recent student test scores, as it was substantiated previously by the State Board’s 5 year pilot program in Sevier and Juab districts.
- 7. QUALIFYING GRANT PROGRAM Retains “local control” through tailored LEA Plans Why statewide master plan? Ensures best practices, economies of scale, and accountability Administered by the State Board of Education Advisory Committee (reviews LEA plans) Digital Teaching & Learning Director & Coaches (USOE) UETN (digital infrastructure; state contracts) Independent Evaluator
- 8. Digital Teaching and Learning Grant Program UCA Title 53A, Chapter 1, Part 14 (Sponsors: Rep. Knotwell and Sen. Stephenson) Administrative Rule 277-922 (State Board) Essential Elements Master Plan (approved unanimously by Task Force, September 2015; approved unanimously by State Board, October 2015. One of State Board’s top legislative funding priorities) Appropriation: Supplemental: $ 750,000 (one time) Grant Program: $71,750,000 $47,500,000 (ongoing) $2,250,000 (ongoing for administration) $24,250,000 (one time) UETN: $23,500,000 $500,000 (ongoing for administration) $23,000,000 (one time)
- 9. If you have questions, please contact: Dave Thomas, Vice-Chair, State Board of Education and Chair, Digital Teaching and Learning Task Force dthomas@summitcounty.org 801-628-6616 Or Angie Stallings, Associate Superintendent, Utah State Office of Education angie.stallings@school.Utah.gov 801-205-4420