Accelerate Oregon Public/Private Partnerships for 21st Century Classrooms

Overview: APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENSION TO 11-30-2009

Two separate processes coming to Oregon K12 carry great potential where their missions overlap. ARRA Title IID Ed Tech funds are coming available through a competitive process overseen by ODE. Accelerate Oregon is bringing grants and discounts to Oregon K12 school districts who wish to integrate presentation systems into their classrooms, beginning with 8th grade.

  1. Districts may apply to Accelerate Oregon to compete for grants that cover the cost of the comprehensive teacher presentation system. Up to 400 systems will be granted. Applications should be downloaded here, completed, and emailed to application@accelerateoregon.org. Completed Applications must be submitted electronically 4:00 PM, November 30, 2009. The deadline for applications has been extended due to the overwhelming interest by school districts and requests for requirements clarification and proposal options.
  2. Districts may also use local funds to purchase the same system components at deeply discounted rates. For some districts, this may include Ed Tech dollars, depending on district Tech Plan and application approval by ODE.
  3. Districts may simply register at Accelerate Oregon in order to access all the discounts on goods and services available now and in the future. Registration will open September 8th, 2009, via this web page. Districts do not have to apply for ARRA funds to be considered for Accelerate Oregon grant awards, or to take advantage of the special discounts.

Beginning in September, all school districts registered with AO can receive:

  1. Targeted Cisco network communication and equipment assistance to maximize the Stimulus implementation (final Cisco offerings will be posted to this site in the month of September)
  2. Cisco Network Academy Software and access to additional lab resources (final Cisco offerings will be posted to this site in the month of September)
  3. SMART interactive whiteboard discounts to maximize limited local funds and one-time ARRA funds
  4. Access to digital content, online teaching systems designed for the classroom through OVSD. This will also include focused courses for middle school and high school credit recovery for math and basic language arts
  5. Districts can set up secure student email and online education applications through Google, administered locally (this offering does not require AO registration, but will require and an agreement with ODE)

Teacher Presentation System Includes:

  • Teacher Tablet PC
  • Interactive Whiteboard
  • Document Camera
  • Installation & Training
  • Additional Professional Development

In the Second Half of December 2009, AO grant applicants will:

  • Be notified of awards and order of receipt
  • As funds are generated, Presentation Systems and professional development roll out to classrooms beginning in Q1 2010 and completed in January 2011
  • Metrics are presented to the 2011 Legislature for consideration
ARRA guidelines and application process are overseen exclusively by ODE. All ARRA questions should be directed to Carla Wade (Carla.wade@ODE.state.or.us) at ODE.

All Accelerate Oregon questions should be submitted to Questions@AccelerateOregon.org.