CITI : Grants : Overview

It has come to our attention that there may be some confusion over Instructional Technology vs. Information Technology in the K-12 CITI grants. While Instructional Technology (technology used by the teacher in instruction as a tool to aid in the learning of the subject being taught) is certainly beneficial to students, it is Information Technology education (the development of skills, conceptual understanding, and high-order thinking capabilities that comprise IT fluency. See ISTE's National Educational Technology Standards ( http://cnets.iste.org) that this grant is directed to enhance. All proposals should explicitly state their Information Technology learning objectives."

The Commonwealth Information Technology Initiative (CITI) is offering a competitive grants program to support intensive professional development – targeted at K-12 educators (teachers and/or administrators)- that promotes the integration of information technology in academic curriculum. The goal for the professional development is to provide educators with a deep understanding and ability to integrate technology into classroom instruction rather than simply teaching students to use technology applications. Grant applications should focus on sustained, high quality professional development activities (such as seminars, workshops, institutes, peer coaching and other activities) that will result in teaching practices that promote IT fluency for students through the infusion of technology in academic curriculum. In addition, grant proposals should identify specific activities that will support the dissemination and replication of promising IT fluency practices in area K-12 schools.

CITI will fund at least four grants within the seven regions identified through the Board of Higher Education’s PreK-16 Regional Networks. These Networks bring together K-12 school districts, higher education institutions, and business and non-profit organizations in regional partnerships targeted at improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. ( For more information go to www.mass.edu/pipeline.) CITI encourages (but does not require) the lead partners of the PK-16 Regional Networks to convene regional meetings to submit one proposal per region in response to this grant competition.

CITI is seeking proposals based on partnerships that include multiple school districts, and should include one or more of the following types of partners - postsecondary institutions, non-profit organizations, educational collaboratives, and/or other partners that can support high quality professional development for K-12 teachers in the area of information technology integration.

In addition, CITI will provide funding for one regional project to replicate the Boston Area Advanced Technological Education Connections (BATEC) model (www.batec.org). BATEC is a comprehensive, regional information technology career pathway approach to align education and workforce development opportunities for students. In order to submit a proposal for this category of funding, prospective grantees should contact Deborah Boisvert, Director, BATEC at 617-287-7295.





	REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS It has come to our attention that there may be some confusion over Instructional Technology vs. Information Technology in the K-12 CITI grants. While Instructional Technology (technology used by the teacher in instruction as a tool to aid in the learning of the subject being taught) is certainly beneficial to students, it is Information Technology education (the development of skills, conceptual understanding, and high-order thinking capabilities that comprise IT fluency. See ISTE's National Educational Technology Standards ( http://cnets.iste.org) that this grant is directed to enhance. All proposals should explicitly state their Information Technology learning objectives." The Commonwealth Information Technology Initiative (CITI) is offering a competitive grants program to support intensive professional development – targeted at K-12 educators (teachers and/or administrators)- that promotes the integration of information technology in academic curriculum. The goal for the professional development is to provide educators with a deep understanding and ability to integrate technology into classroom instruction rather than simply teaching students to use technology applications. Grant applications should focus on sustained, high quality professional development activities (such as seminars, workshops, institutes, peer coaching and other activities) that will result in teaching practices that promote IT fluency for students through the infusion of technology in academic curriculum. In addition, grant proposals should identify specific activities that will support the dissemination and replication of promising IT fluency practices in area K-12 schools. CITI will fund at least four grants within the seven regions identified through the Board of Higher Education’s PreK-16 Regional Networks. These Networks bring together K-12 school districts, higher education institutions, and business and non-profit organizations in regional partnerships targeted at improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. ( For more information go to www.mass.edu/pipeline.) CITI encourages (but does not require) the lead partners of the PK-16 Regional Networks to convene regional meetings to submit one proposal per region in response to this grant competition. CITI is seeking proposals based on partnerships that include multiple school districts, and should include one or more of the following types of partners - postsecondary institutions, non-profit organizations, educational collaboratives, and/or other partners that can support high quality professional development for K-12 teachers in the area of information technology integration. In addition, CITI will provide funding for one regional project to replicate the Boston Area Advanced Technological Education Connections (BATEC) model (www.batec.org). BATEC is a comprehensive, regional information technology career pathway approach to align education and workforce development opportunities for students. In order to submit a proposal for this category of funding, prospective grantees should contact Deborah Boisvert, Director, BATEC at 617-287-7295. CITI is funded by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. info@citi.mass.edu \| 413 . 577 . 4431\| mailing address © 2001 CITI. All Rights Reserved.