The California Department of Education (CDE) is pleased to announce a new program to fund hardware acquisition to lower the student-to-multimedia computer ratio in 4th through 8th grade classrooms. Approximately $33 million in federal funding will be made available to recently renovated schools in California through a competitive grant process. This program is made possible through the United States Department of Education under Public Law 106-554. Eligible applicants include school districts and county offices of education serving any combination of grades 4 through 8.

Individual grant amounts will be based upon $2,000 per computer for the number of multimedia computers necessary to lower the student-to-multimedia computer ratio in the 4th-8th grades to 10-to-one at the funded school. To qualify for this funding, a school must have been renovated, or will be renovated in the near future, as defined in the application. Additionally, the applicant agency must have completed the 2002 Online California School Technology Survey between January 14, 2002, and June 30, 2002 for each school in the LEA for which funding is sought. In addition to filing an application, the applicant agency must submit a current, approved E-rate plan, or local governing board certified education technology plan, or a technology plan that has been reviewed and approved at the state level to align with the California State Board of Education planning guidelines. The application (PDF) is due to the CDE, Educational Technology Office by November 5, 2002.

Visit the School Renovation Technology Grant web site for more information.

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The California Department of Education received official notification of approval and funding for the Technology Literacy Challenge Fund under Title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as reauthorized by the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 (IASA). California received $20.6 million in first year funding.

The majority of the money, $19.5 million, was awarded to eligible districts through the Technology Literacy Challenge Grant competitive process.

Purpose of Program
The California Department of Education was sponsoring Technology Literacy Challenge Grant (TLCG), a unique program designed to stimulate effective applications of education technologies in communities across the state. 
The challenges to be addressed include:

1. uses of information technology to improve learning in our classrooms, homes, and workplaces,

2. the need for teacher training and support services,

3. better software that involves students in engaging activities to meet high academic standards, and

4. strong partnerships to link our schools with new learning opportunities at home, in the community, and at work.

Visit the Technology Literacy Challenge Grant site for more information.

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Participating SCUSD Schools
TLC Round 2 - Language Arts/Writing
1998-2001 ($512,852 per year)

Digital High Schools

  The Digital High School Program provided assistance to schools serving students in grades 9-12 so that these schools may install and support technology, as well as provide staff training. The installation support was provided through the Technology Installation Grant, a one-time $300 per student amount. Following the Technology Installation Grant, schools  submited a final report and a Certification of Completion of the Installation Grant. Schools that submited this certification were eligible to receive a Technology Support and Staff Training Grant in the second fiscal year following the year in which they were selected for the Technology Installation Grant. The Technology Support and Staff Training Grant is an ongoing $45 per student per year. All of the above funding was contingent upon the local education agency providing an equivalent local match and the funds being appropriated each year.

Two of the most important outcomes of the Digital High School Program are: (1) every classroom was connected to the internet by the end of the Technology Installation Grant and (2) technology was integrated into the curriculum to enhance teaching and learning.

Visit the Digital High School Site for more information.

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The US Wired Project allowed for a donation of  a computer, printers and video conferencing equipment worth $46,000 to two SCUSD schools. The program focus is community involvement and technology training for adults and students.

The computers are used by students during regular school hours and are available to provide training for community members after school hours. Adult night school classes include word processing, spreadsheets, Internet, e-mail, language acquisition and resume writing. Video conferencing and GED classes will be offered in the near future.

The Packard Bell Grant was a partnership between Packard Bell, the City of Sacramento and SCUSD. Packard Bell donated 360 Pentium computers to support 20 elementary schools throughout SCUSD. Each elementary school received 18 computers and 3 printers. School sites selected three classrooms in which to place 6 computers and a printer (the district model). SCUSD then provided teachers with training in computer use and classroom management skills.