The Education Technology Grant Program for High Schools, administered by the
Governor's Office of the Secretary for Education, will provide funding to
reduce the student-to-computer ratio in California high schools and provide
access to online Advanced Placement courses. The Secretary for Education
will award $175 million in grant funds to eligible school districts and
charter schools.

When is the deadline?
The Secretary for Education encourages school districts, county offices of
education, or charter schools to complete and file the application by
November 17, 2000. Many schools are closed for several days in late
November, and filing your application by November 17th will ensure that any
issues can be addressed before the December 1, 2000 5:00 p.m. final deadline
for all materials to be on file.

Which schools are eligible?
Comprehensive high schools, charter schools, continuation schools,
alternative schools, community day schools, or county offices of education,
serving students in grades 9-12, are eligible to receive funding under the
program.

Who should apply?
Districts complete one application for all eligible high schools in that
district. County offices of education complete the application for schools
they operate. Charter schools (both direct-funded and locally-funded)
complete their own application. Applications should be filed for all schools
that meet the eligibility criteria ­ even if the student-to-multimedia
computer ratio at a school site is less than 5:1. This is not a competitive
application, and any eligible school district, county office of education,
or charter school that completes the application may receive funding if it
agrees to meet the assurances under the program.

How will the application process work?
Application information is already in the mail to each eligible school
district, county office of education, or charter school . Applications are
to be filed online. The California Technology Assistance Project (CTAP) will
assist eligible schools or districts with completing the application,
conducting an on-site inventory, and updating district or school site
technology plans, if necessary. CTAP will also be able to assist you if you
are not able to access the Internet to complete the application.

What is the priority for the funds?
Eligible schools that provide three or fewer Advanced Placement courses have
first priority for the funds. If these "Priority One" schools plan to
provide access to AP content online, they are eligible for grants to fund
hardware, infrastructure or wiring necessary to provide these courses, to
the extent these funds are not available from other sources like the Digital
High School program of the federal E-rate program. "Priority Two" schools
are those with a projected student-to-multimedia computer ratio of greater
than 5:1. "Priority Three" schools, if any funds remain, will be those with
a ratio of 5:1 or lower. If a school receives Priority One funding, and
still has a high student-to-multimedia computer ratio, that school may also
receive funds under Priority Two or Priority Three.

Who should we contact?
School districts and charter schools should contact their CTAP regional
director with questions about eligibility, applications, the school site
inventory, or updating technology plans. See
http://www.ctap.k12.ca.us/directors.html for a list of the CTAP regional
directors or call (707) 467-5070. Details about the structure or
administration of the program can be found at www.ose.ca.gov/edtech/, and
questions should be directed to the Office of the Secretary for Education at
edtech@ose.ca.gov or (916) 323-0611.




   *****************
Theresa M. Inslee
Birdsall, Wasco & Associates
1215 K Street, Suite 940
Sacramento, CA  95814

Phone:  916/441-3302
Fax:  916/447-7837