Hi all -

We're beginning to receive inquiries regarding the process for renewal of
local Information Technology plans. There are approximately 150 schools
whose tech plan approvals "expire" on either 12/31/99 or 3/31/00. You can
find out your school's status at:
http://www.vismt.org/programs/infotech/planning/cplans/certifie.htm

While completing a full revision of your technology plan may be appropriate
for your local direction, we (DOE/VISMT) will NOT be requiring a full
re-write of entire plans this year for a  couple of reasons. First, the
federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) is due to be revised
in the next legislative session. Also, the State of Vermont's K-12
Technology Plan will be reviewed and revised over the next year (this
process has already begun). We don't think it makes sense to require you all
to complete a formal re-write of your local plan until this other work is
done. Successful completion of this "Plan Update" process will extend your
approval until at least January 1, 2001.

So, what WILL we require in this "Plan Update" process?  The purpose of the
update will be to:

· Give you the opportunity to take stock of your progress
· Give us the chance to do the same
· Give you the opportunity to re-direct or alter your direction in certain
areas
· Require you to implement a way to communicate with your stakeholders

Shortly (within the next 10 days) you'll receive information and forms that
will explain the process. We will look for a status report on your
vison/mission, goals, and evaluation in order to gauge how much progress has
been made. We do not have a requirement regarding how much progress you NEED
to have made. You WILL be required to  provide some detail on how much
progress you've made on the assortment of goals you identified in your
original plan, whether some of those goals have been altered or need
alteration, and their priority for your work. In addition, we'll be looking
for evaluation information, such as how much and what kind of data you've
gathered, what and how much has been reported back to your stakeholders, and
what more you need to do in evaluating your work. We'll also ask for a one
page (approx) "Executive Summary" that ties things together through a
reflection on your school's status on five major themes:

        · Teachers will be ready to use and teach with technology
        · Educational software will be integral part of the curriculum
        · Modern computers and learning devices will be accessible to every student
        · Classrooms will be connected to one another and to the outside world
        · Technology will affect student learning

In total, the update you'll need to complete will be from 4-6 pages long and
will be directed by questions asked of you, a grid to fill out, and the
executive summary.

Announcement of the process and the availability of forms will occur through
direct e-mail to all superintendents and via the "E-Rate" and "School IT"
lists. The forms will be posted and available from the VISMT website. The
specific URL for that site will be announced when the forms are complete.

I hope this helps ease some of the apprehension you've had about this
process. Please respond directly to me (rather than through this list) if
you have specific questions or comments.

Bill Romond

VISMT                    Direct: (802)828-0064
Dillingham Hall          Office: (802)828-0060
7 West Street            Fax:    (802)828-0076
Montpelier, VT 05602     http://www.vismt.org
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