The Arkansas Department of Education requires school districts to submit a revised/updated local district technology plan in order to comply with the No Child Left Behind legislation and E-Rate application requirements. The plan should be submitted to the Department between March 15, 2003 and April 15, 2003. Each plan will be reviewed for approval based on the criteria and standards outlined in the attached documents. The first document is a template that can be used to submit revised plans. The second document is a checklist that will ensure that plans have all the required elements. The Department will provide a document to districts to certify that plans have been approved in a manner consistent with criteria listed in the attached checklist.
A valuable resource for school district technology planning is available at http://arkedu.state.ar.us/ade-guide/. It is recommended that districts visit the site to receive assistance in revising technology plans. The Planning Guide provides a road map to help districts follow a path that makes it more likely that the district develop a technology plan that meets state and federal criteria. Another source of information regarding E-Rate and technology plans can be found at http://www.sl.universalservice.org/apply/step2.asp.
Purpose of Request for Revised District Technology Plans:
1. To help Arkansas Schools be eligible for E-Rate Discounts. The FCC stipulated that requests for E-Rate discounts must be based on an approved technology plan (FCC Order 97-157, Paragraph 573).
2. A Department approved district technology plan makes districts eligible for other state and federal technology funds. All future district technology grant proposals must be based on a revised technology plan approved by the Department.
Technology plans should be submitted to:
Dana Hyrkas, Public School Program Advisor
Arkansas Department of Education
8221 Ranch Blvd.
Little Rock, AR 72223