In order to meet federal E-rate guidelines, each local district must have an approved technology plan that has been reviewed and approved within the last three years by a designated agency within the state. For public schools in Arkansas, the approved agency is the Department of Education. The last review and approval of local district technology plans occurred in 1997 prior to the first E-rate funding cycle. This means that local district plans must be revised and submitted for review prior to awarding of Year-Four E-rate funding. Applications for that cycle will be approved in the spring of 2001.
The State Board of Education, at its June 12, 2000 meeting, adopted a revised state plan for educational technology that recommends state review of technology plans at least every three years. In keeping with this recommendation and to meet the E-rate requirement, the Department of Education has set December 15, 2000 as the deadline for submission of local district technology plan revisions to be considered for review and approval prior to Cycle Four of the E-rate applications. Following the review and approval, the Department of Education will issue a statement of verification of an approved plan.
To assist districts with the plan development/revision process, the Department of Education has made available a web site that offers a comprehensive planning guide (The Arkansas Electronic Technology Planning Guide). The guide can be accessed at http://arkedu.state.ar.us/ade-guide/. This guide is designed to lead districts through the steps required to meet state and federal guidelines.
Revised plans should be submitted to:
Drew Mashburn, Program Manager
Arkansas Department of Education
#4 State Capitol Mall, Room 301A
Little Rock, AR 72201