Note: Vendor RFP - Synchronous Interactive Distance Learning Pilot Project (Deadline extended to 11/20/09)
Addendum to RFP ETP 100-2010
RFP Number: ETP 100-2010
RFP Issue Date: October 26, 2009
Inquiry Period Begins: October 26, 2009, 8:00 am (EST)
Inquiry Period Ends: November 19, 2009, 12:00 pm (EST)
RFP Responses Due: November 20, 2009, 5:00 pm (EST)
Note: Building RFP - The release of the Request for Proposal for eligible buildings has been delayed. Please continue to monitor the website for updates regarding the project.
Program Overview
Revised Code section 3353.20, passed by the Ohio General Assembly in July 2009, directs that the eTech Ohio Commission develop and implement an interactive distance learning pilot project. The EETT Synchronous Interactive Distance Learning Pilot Project will provide interactive distance learning Advanced Placement (AP) courses and foreign language courses to Ohio public high schools. Under this program, the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and the eTech Ohio Commission, working collaboratively, will award federally funded grants to school districts/buildings that meet eligibility criteria.
Ohio's EETT Synchronous Interactive Distance Learning Pilot Project is a state and federal initiative with the goals of ensuring that funded projects are of sufficient scope and quality to efficiently meet the purposes of the No Child Left Behind Legislation. The State of Ohio will award grants in a manner that ensures diversity among grant recipients according to geographical regions, economic scale, and school district size.
Funding in the amount of $4.5 million will be awarded through a competitive application process to eligible Ohio public high schools for the Synchronous Interactive Distance Learning Pilot Project. Ohio anticipates releasing awarded funds to the selected buildings in 2009. Awarded schools will receive implementation funding in the amount of $50,000 per building.
Project Goals
The primary goals of the competitive Synchronous Interactive Distance Learning Pilot Project are to: connect students and educators through real-time communication; and provide funding to enable eligible Ohio public high schools to provide AP academic courses and foreign language courses in grades 9-12, meeting or exceeding the state academic content standards adopted by the State Board of Education and College Board.
The federal and state program goals supported by this grant are:
- To support the development and utilization of electronic networks and other innovative methods, such as distance learning, for delivering specialized or rigorous academic courses and curricula for students in areas that would not otherwise have access to such courses and curricula, particularly in geographically isolated regions.
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To provide challenging, high-level course work, disseminated through technologies (including distance learning), for students in schools or Local Education Agencies (LEAs) that would not otherwise have the resources for such course work.
History
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, to provide increased flexibility and local control to states and school districts, emphasizes strong accountability for results, offers expanded options for parents and supports teaching methods that have a solid scientific research foundation. In an effort to improve student achievement through the use of technology, the U.S. Department of Education established state grants under the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) Ed Tech program -- ESEA Title II, Part D, and Subpart 1.