18A:6-107. Proposals for training programs; grants; training sites

5. a. Within 90 days of the effective date of this act, the commissioner shall forward a request for proposals for the establishment of educational technology teacher training programs to local school districts and other appropriate applicants. A local school district or other applicant which wants to participate in the program shall submit a proposal to the commissioner which outlines the district's or applicant's plan to offer educational technology training to teachers and other school staff. The proposal shall include information which outlines the manner in which the technology training program shall become self-supporting at the end of the three-year grant period through a fee-for-service arrangement, private sector support, or some other mechanism as developed by the grant recipient. The proposal shall also include any other information which the commissioner may require. b. The commissioner shall select grant recipients based on the quality of the proposed educational technology teacher training program. In selecting grant recipients, the commissioner shall consider the leadership and experience of the grant applicant in the effective use of educational technology within the classroom; the location of the proposed training site; and the potential for the training program to operate independently of grant funds at the end of the three-year period. c. The commissioner shall award grants to support at least 21 teacher training sites in the amount of $200,000 per site. The commissioner shall provide for a phase-in of training sites over the three-year period with at least seven sites established in the first year of the program, seven sites in the second year, and seven sites in the third year. In establishing a schedule for the phase-in of training sites, the commissioner shall ensure that there is an equitable distribution of sites in terms of their geographic location providing at a minimum for the establishment of one training site per county. d. Each training site shall include: (1) program offerings providing basic technology skills; (2) program offerings related to word processing, data bases, spreadsheets, and design; (3) a minimum of three educational multimedia program offerings; (4) a minimum of two telecommunications program offerings; and (5) program offerings which provide instruction on implementing teaching strategies that support the integration of technology in the classroom.

L.1996,c.129,s.5.