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Updated: May 2009
TechSETS is a partner in providing resources and support for the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) program, Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT).
 The California Department of Education (CDE) web site is the official source of information for EETT: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/et/ft/eett.asp
EETT provides funding for school technology from the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which is used in classrooms to improve student academic achievement. Funds are distributed through formula and competitive grants.
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Formula Grants
To be eligible for EETT Formula funds, a district or direct-funded charter school must have a current, state-approved technology plan and serve Title I students. There are additional assurances that need to be met during the funding year, such as having a designated number of teachers complete the EdTechProfile technology skills self-assessment.
EETT Formula funds must be spent “in accordance with the state-approved technology plan.” In additional, at least 25% of the funds must be spent on “teacher professional development related to using technology in the classroom.”
No application is required for EETT Formula funds. The CDE will mail a Grant Award letter (Form AO-400) to the Superintendent of each eligible district (or Chief Operations Officer for each eligible charter school). The district accepts (or rejects) the funds by returning the Grant Award letter. In addition, an End of Period (EOP) report must be submitted to the CDE by September following the grant period. The EOP report certifies that three conditions were met: 1) the Formula funds were used to accomplish the goals of the state-approved technology plan, 2) at least 25% of the funds were spent on professional development, and 3) a designated number of teachers who participated in the EETT-funded professional development have completed the EdTechProfile technology skills self-assessment.
2007-2008 Allocations
Until recently, EETT Formula allocations were “accepted” during one year and actually spent during the following year. Therefore, the 2007-08 allocations are actually being spent during the 2008-2009 school year. Approximately 1,000 Lead Educational Agencies (LEAS) were eligible for awards totaling $15.57 million in 2007-08 funds. The LEAs have already received 85% of their funding and will receive the remaining 15% after the End of Period report is submitted to the CDE.
The 2007-2008 End of Period reports are due by September 11, 2009. Each LEA should download its customized report form at ftp://ftp.cde.ca.gov/edtech/eop-07-08/.
2008-2008 Allocations
Award letters for the 2008-09 EETT Formula allocations ($15.32 million) were mailed to 1,012 eligible LEAs in early 2009. Unlike past years, when advance installment payments were made to LEAs, the 2008-09 payments will be made on a reimbursement basis after 100% of the funds have been expended or obligated. Each LEA must submit its completed End of Period report in order to receive reimbursement.
The 2008-2009 End of Period reports are due by September 3, 2010. Each LEA should download its customized report form at ftp://ftp.cde.ca.gov/edtech/eop-08-09/. Because of the new reimbursement policy, it is possible for LEAs to begin spending their allocations as soon as the signed Award Letter (Form AO-400) is submitted to the CDE. Depending on how quickly the LEA forward-funds and spends (or obligates) the allocation amount, the End of Period report could be submitted as early as spring 2009.
The California Department of Education web site is the official source of information for EETT Formula grants: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/et/ft/eettformula.asp. Assistance is also available from your regional California Technology Assistance Project (CTAP) office (http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/et/rs/ctapdirectors.asp).
To receive the latest EETT Formula grant updates via email, please subscribe to the listserv by sending a “blank” message to: join-eett-formula@mlist.cde.ca.gov.
Competitive Grants
The Enhancing Education Through Technology Competitive grant program provides funding for grades 4 through 8 to assist Lead Education Agencies (LEAs) in using technology to enhance teaching and learning. This grant requires the submission of a comprehensive 2-year proposal.
To be eligible to apply for EETT Competitive funds, a district or charter school must have a current, state-approved technology plan and serve high-need students:
- Is among those in the state with the highest numbers or percentages of children from families with incomes below the poverty line and;
- Serves one or more schools identified as Program Improvement (PI) schools or;
- Has a substantial need for assistance in acquiring and using technology, defined as having an average of 10:1 student-to-multimedia computer ratio or greater in schools serving four through eighth grades in the district or an average of less than 50 percent of classrooms connected to the Internet in schools serving four through eighth grades in the district.
The California Department of Education uses federal census data, along with statewide data, to compile an eligibility list for each year that EETT Competitive funding is available. There are additional assurances that need to be met during the funding year, including having a designated number of teachers complete the EdTechProfile technology skills self-assessment. Competitive grants also require districts to submit mid-year and final project reports.
Approximately $15 million in EETT Competitive grants was awarded in Round 7 (winners announced in July 2008). Proposals are scored using a detailed rubric. Allocations are usually based on $300 per student at funded schools (grades 4 through 8). When funding is available, a third year at $45 per student may be awarded if project objectives have been met. Once a site has been fully funded for an EETT Competitive grant, it is not eligible to compete for future EETT Competitive grants.
Round 8 EETT Competitive Grants (2009)
The California Department of Education released the Round 8 Request for Application (RFA) on April 2009.
Proposals are due by 5 PM on June 30, 2009. The complete application is posted at: http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r5/documents/eettc09rfa.doc.
To be eligible, Lead Education Agencies (LEAs) must serve at least 84 students in grades 4 through 8, plus serve a
high percentage of students from families whose income is below the poverty line established by the federal Director
of the Office of Management and Budget. Districts with fewer than 84 students may apply as part of a consortium.
Eligible LEAs must also have: 1) at least one school identified for Program Improvement, or 2) a substantial need for
assistance in acquiring and using technology, as evidenced by a student-to-computer ratio at least 10:1. Once an
eligible school has received full funding for an EETT Competitive grant, it is not currently eligible for funding in future
rounds. The California Department of Education has provided a listing of eligible districts and schools for Round 8:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r5/eettc09eligdist.asp.
Molly Large, Professional Development Coordinator for California Technology Assistance Project Region 10, San
Bernardino County Office of Education, has provided a detailed template to assist districts in developing an EETT
Competitive grant proposal:
EETT-C Template
It is possible that the availability of federal stimulus funds may result in an increased number of proposals being funded within EETT-C Round 8. Additional information will be available after the federal guidelines and timelines for spending the stimulus funds are announced.
Complete information regarding current and past EETT Competitive grant cycles is available on the California Department of Education web site: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/et/ft/eettcomp.asp. Assistance is also available from your regional California Technology Assistance Project (CTAP) office (http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/et/rs/ctapdirectors.asp).
To receive the latest EETT Competitive grant updates via email, please subscribe to the listserv by sending a “blank” message to: join-eett-competitive@mlist.cde.ca.gov.
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