INFORMATIONAL

  This is to announce the 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
  award process to award 70 subgrants to school divisions that
  propose creative, high-quality training programs to improve
  teaching and learning through proficiency in use of
  technology. Divisions will be required to serve as fiscal
  agents for use of the funds. Grant amounts will range from
  $30,000 to $46,000, dependent upon the amount requested and
  recommendation of the evaluation committee. Funds may be
  used to provide training opportunities for administrators,
  teachers, library media specialists or other staff, and for
  purchase of software 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.    Seven (7) subgrant awards will be made to
  school divisions with a percentage of students in poverty
  index between 3.95 and 10.43.

  Category II.  Twelve (12) subgrant awards will be made to
  school divisions with a percentage of students in poverty
  index between 10.44 and 16.75.

  Category III.  Twenty-One (21) subgrant awards will be made
  to school divisions with a percentage of students in poverty
  index between 16.76 and 23.44.

  Category IV.   Thirty (30) subgrant awards will be made to
  school divisions with a percentage of students in poverty
  index between 23.45 and 42.41.     

  The application consists of two parts. The first part
  includes an introduction providing information about the
  grant, instructions for completion of the application, and
  an appendix of relevant documents; the second part is the
  application packet that includes a cover page and narrative,
  budget, project assurance and equitable access, and
  participation description sheets.  

  These subgrants are provided through the United States
  Department of Education; therefore  it is important that
  school divisions take special note of all federal
  requirements that are specified for local educational
  agencies. This information is included in both the
  instructions and application packet.

  Interested school divisions should plan to submit a subgrant
  application by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30, 1997 to
  Division of Technology, 25th 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,
  1997. Projects must be completed by September 30, 1998.

  If you have any questions about the Technology Literacy
  Challenge Fund Grant or the application process, please call
  Lan Neugent, Director of Instruction Media and Training, at
  (804) 786-2260. 


  RTL:ln

  Attachment:  A hard copy of this memo and its attachment
               will be sent to the superintendent's office.

  * Sources:   Virginia Department of Education. Fall
                 Membership, 1996.
               U.S. Department of Commerce. Bureau of the
                 Census. Census Poverty Data, 1997.