EETT ARRA (Stimulus) funds for 2009-2010

California schools are slated to receive $71.6 million in federal technology grants as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), according to a press release issued by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell.

The funding is part of the AARA, Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) Program. Eligibility for these funds follows the same criteria as the traditional EETT program, and the requirements for expenditure, including a minimum of 25% on professional development, follow traditional EETT guidelines as well.

According to the California Department of Education (CDE), half of the federal funding will be sent to districts with approved Ed Tech Plans through a formula process. It is likely that this portion of the ARRA EETT funds will be roughly equivalent to twice the district's 2007-08 EETT formula apportionment.

The remaining half of the federal funding will be available through a competitive process. Eligibility is likely to be  consistent with EETT-C Rounds 7 and 8, based on poverty according to census data, PI status, and technology poverty. The CDE hopes to release the RFA for the competitive process by the end of August. The criteria for the ARRA EETT funds is likely to be substantially similar to the traditional EETT-C application.

A portion of the Technology Leadership Network (TLN) meeting on September 22 will be devoted to exploring  tactical and strategic planning to make the most of these one time funds. If it is available, information about the competitive process will be shared at the TLN meeting as well. Click here to register for this event.

More information about the state's use of ARRA and Stabilization funds can be found at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ar/.