US:PA-3: Link-to-Learn
Link-to-Learn
John P. Bailey (assist@microserve.net)
Thu, 02 Oct 1997 12:16:59
Since this weeks, discussion focuses on how Link-to-Learn relates to the
Universal Service Fund, I thought the following overview would be helpful.
Link-to-Learn officially released its 1997 Applications for Funds last
week. A downloadable version will be available from the Link-to-Learn and
PDE web sites [http://www.state.pa.us].
A couple of points to note: The packet that is being mailed will contain
two applications - the higher education Infrastructure Investment Program
and the Basic Education Grant. While these are two distinctly different
applications with two different target audiences, there are opportunities
for partnerships to leverage funds from both programs.
Also, notice that there are six Link-to-Learn workshops scheduled in
October around the state. A description of these workshops is provided
below but I wanted to highlight the fact that a significant portion of the
day will be dedicated to the Universal Service Fund. The purpose is to
provide an overview of the discount program as well as the latest
information we have received to help schools and libraries secure their
discounts. A panel of experts who have been working on the issue in
Pennsylvania will present the information and answer any questions.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to E-mail or call
me. With so many irons in the fire these days I am a little difficult to
get a hold of via phone so try me through e-mail first. If there is
anything else I can do to be of help, please let me know.
--John
Table of Contents:
* Infrastructure Investment Program
* Basic Education Grant
* Mailing List
* Link-to-Learn Workshops
=================================
INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT PROGRAM
=================================
Some essential characteristics of the Infrastructure Investment Program
application are:
1. Eligible applicants include Pennsylvania public and private
higher education institutions and higher education councils.
Other entities are encouraged to participate in the proposal
as partners, but the higher education institution must be a
key stakeholder in the proposal and the fiscal agent.
2. The maximum funding award is $500,000. The minimum award is
$25,000.
3. Applications must demonstrate likelihood of sustainability.
Applicants and/or any partners must contribute a minimum of
20% of project costs (the equivalent of 25% matching funds).
4. Applications are due at 3:00 p.m. on November 25, 1997.
5. Partnerships are encouraged between the Infrastructure
Investment application and Basic Education Grants.
Applicants should not propose projects that serve only their
institution.
=====================
BASIC EDUCATION GRANT
=====================
The Basic Education Grant will resemble last year's in many ways with some
minor improvements to the application. We received many suggestions and
have attempted to include as many as we could, such as making funds
retroactive to July 1, 1997 and allowing the leasing of equipment/services.
Included with the application are detailed instructions, additional
funding sources, and instructions for completing the contract. We have
also strived to eliminte many of the issues that caused delays in the
contract processing last year and anticipate a more streamlined process
this year.
Specific requirements include:
1. Applications are due at 3:00 p.m. on November 25, 1997.
2. The focus will shift from computers and local area
networks to high speed Internet connections and wide area
networks. Computers and LANs may be purchased to support
Internet connections and wide area networks.
3. There will still be a requirement for professional
development and sharing the technology with the community.
4. An additional use of funds is Year 2000 assessment and
compliance activities. Governor Ridge considers this
such a serious problem that we wanted to use Link-to-Learn
to highlight the issue for schools and libraries. A breif
background is provided in the application and will also be
presented at the Link-to-Learn grant workshops (see below).
Additional background can be found at
[http://www.year2000.com]
5. Direct applicants are school districts and area vocational
technical schools, however, there is a requirement for
partnerships. We are encouraging schools to think about
their telecommunications and infrastructure needs as a
community (IUs, nonpublic schools, libraries, universities,
hospitals, etc.) as opposed to isolated individuals. This
approach can help lower prices (due to economies of scale)
and provide all members with better services.
Many IUs already provide schools with professional
development and Internet service which should facilitate
an easy partnership for the application. In addition,
whenever possible we are strongly encouraging partnerships to
include libraries and nonpublic schools. A school can
request to be exempted from having to be in a parternship,
but it must do so in writing by making a business case
justification.
============
MAILING LIST
============
Applications will be mailed to the following entities (total mailing is
approximately 5,600). Entities that are not direct applicants were
included in the mailing in an effort to let them know of partnership
opportunities.
* School districts
* Intermediate units
* Vocational-technical schools
* All private, nonpublic, and parochial schools
* Libraries (public, university, and other)
* Museums
* Pennsylvania higher education institutions
* ITECs
* Economic development organizations
* Higher education councils
* General Assembly
* Utilities
* Vendors
* 1996 Testbed applicants
* Other educational organizations
* Medical centers with a higher education affiliation
=======================
LINK-TO-LEARN WORKSHOPS
=======================
We have also arranged six Link-to-Learn Applicant Workshops around the
state. Dates and locations are:
October 6 Pittsburgh Holiday Inn University Center
October 7 Erie Gannon University - Old Main
October 10 Wilkes-Barre Best Western East Mountain Inn
October 14 Philadelphia Valley Forge Sheraton
October 16 Harrisburg Dixon Center
October 17 Williamsport Williamsport Sheraton
Attendance at a Link-to-Learn Applicant Workshop is encouraged but not a
required component of the application process. Workshops will begin at 9:30
a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m.
Workshops are designed for Basic Education Grant applicants and
Infrastructure Investment applicants. Vendors, potential partners, and
other interested groups or persons are also encouraged to attend and
network with each other.
In addition, the afternoon portion of the workshop will be dedicated to the
Universal Service Fund, or as it is commonly refered to, the E-rate. This
FCC program provides schools and libraries with discounts for
telecommunications services ranging from 20-90%. This discount program has
the potential to significantly impact Link-to-Learn funds. A panel of
experts will be presenting an overview of the program and application
process, technology planning requirements, what schools can start doing
now, and how contracts will work.
An agenda is available on the Infrastructure Investment Project web site at
http://www.invest.iup.edu. There is no fee to register, but each
participant must register 72 hours prior to the date of the event. You may
also register on line at http://www.invest.iup.edu For those without
Internet access, a FAX Back form is included with the grant application.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John P. Bailey
Director 717-787-5820
Office of Educational Technology 717-787-7222 (fax)
Pennsylvania Department of Education assist@microserve.net
333 Market Street www.cas.psu.edu/pde.html
Harrisburg, PA 17101
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--