INFORMATIONAL

This is to announce the third year of distribution of 
subgrant applications for funds available from the 
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund (TLCF).  TLCF is 
intended to assist with integration of technology into 
teaching and learning to ensure that all students are 
technologically literate by the 21st century.

The Department of Education has developed a competitive 
process to award 110 subgrants averaging $52,000 each to 
school divisions that propose creative, high-quality 
training programs to improve teaching and learning 
through proficiency in the use of technology.  Divisions 
will be required to serve as fiscal agents for use of the 
funds.  Grant amounts will range from $40,000 to $60,000 
dependent upon the amount requested and recommendations 
of the evaluation committee.  Funds may be used to 
provide training opportunities for administrators, 
teachers, library media specialists and other staff, and 
for purchasing software and hardware to support the 
training.

In accordance with federal TLCF requirements, four categories
based upon the percentage of students in  poverty in a school
division are used to determine  distribution of the subgrants.
The percentage of  students in poverty (Poverty Index*) and
category will be  preprinted on each division's subgrant
application cover  sheet.  The four categories and number of
awards  available are as follows:

Category I.   Twenty-two subgrant awards will be made to  school
              divisions with a percentage of  students in the
              poverty index between 3.87  and 12.42.

Category II.  Twenty-six subgrant awards will be made to  school
              divisions with a percentage of  students in the
              poverty index between  12.43 and 18.37.

Category III. Thirty subgrant awards will be made to  school
              divisions with a percentage of  students in the
              poverty index between  18.38 and 24.78.

Category IV.  Thirty-two subgrant awards will be made to  school
              divisions with a percentage of  students in the
              poverty index between  24.79 and 46.92.

A copy of the subgrant application will be mailed to each 
division superintendent and the technology coordinator by 
May 15, 1999.  Interested school divisions should plan to 
submit a subgrant application by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, 
September 30, 1999, to the Division of Technology, 18th 
Floor, Virginia Department of Education, 101 North 14th 
Street, James Monroe Building, Richmond, Virginia 23219

Award announcements will be made on or before October 30, 
1999.  Projects must be completed by September 30, 2000.
If you have any questions about the Technology Literacy Challenge
Fund Grant or the application process, please  call (or email:
gcreasy@pen.k12.va.us) Gordon F. Creasy,  Associate Specialist,
Technology Division, at (804) 225- 4430.

PDS/jsg

* Virginia Department of Education.  Fall Membership, 
1998.  U. S. Department of Commerce.  Bureau of the 
Census.  Census Poverty Data, 1998.