The Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) announced the following at the E-rate Train-the-Trainer Session held in Washington, D.C. in September 2003:
· * The original ruling that all applicants must have a technology plan written prior to filing Form 470 for the upcoming funding year will be enforced;
· * The technology plan include all items/services that will be listed on Form 470 except for basic phone service (wire line/wireless phone lines) will be required; and
· * The E-rate technology plan must also be approved by the time services requested on Form 470 begin on July 1, 2004.
In order to address these technology-planning requirements established by the SLD of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) for the E-rate program, the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE)is providing this template to assist local education agencies (LEAs) in amending current technology plans to include the following:
An assessment of the telecommunication services, Internet access, and internal connections that will be needed to improve education or library services and that will be/has been requested on Form 470 for E-rate Funding Year 2004-2005, as well as:
. * Clear goals and a realistic strategy for using the requested telecommunications and information technology to improve education or library services;
· * A professional development strategy to ensure that staff know how to use these new technologies to improve education or library services;
· * A sufficient budget to acquire and support the non-discounted elements of the plan: the hardware, software, professional development, and other services that will be needed to implement the strategy; and
· * An evaluation process that enables the school or library to monitor progress toward the specific goals and make mid-course corrections in response to new developments and opportunities as may arise.
ADE is requiring all districts to submit the attached certification page stating the intent regarding applying for E-rate discounts for Funding Year 2004-2005 to comply with the SLD. If a district chooses to apply for E-rate discounts, the addendum section of this document must be submitted also. The addendum requires a detailed list of services that were sought on Forms 470 for Funding Year 2004-2005.
NOTE: All districts must complete and submit the Amendment Certification Page whether or not an Amended Technology Plan for E-rate purposes is submitted.
Submission Deadline: Friday, March 5, 2004
Fax to: Dana Koite @ 501-371-5010 or
Mail to: Dana Koite
ADE Technology Center
8221 Ranch Blvd.
Little Rock, AR 72223