Technology & Learning - September 2007 - (Page 48)

» Bottom Line By Paula Love Formative Assessment Grants How to tap into new federal dollars. F ormative assessment is becoming a significant factor in the process of funding education programs at all levels of government. ■ In 2006 the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and other federal agencies launched the Expectmore.gov Web site, providing assessment reports on federal programs. Each program is reviewed using the program assessment rating tool (PART). Legislators draw on information from PART to determine funding allocations for government programs. Clearly assessment is a critical factor in education programs and the grants that support these programs. Some key elements you can implement to secure greater funds for your education formative assessment initiatives involve: • Developing a working knowledge of the types of assessment in education programs. ■ ■ ■ The students’ role • Establishing the justification and expected outcomes of the assessment project. If you want your assessment project to get funded, then you need to demonstrate that you have the ability to measure your results. • Planning and determining the resources that the assessment project will need. ■ • Bookmarking the Expectmore.gov Web site and using the evaluation reports to better understand what is working and why. This will provide important information in selecting the grant’s purpose, goals, and objectives. • Considering electronic formative assessment as an essential component of a high-performing school. Paula Love (paulalove@mac.com) is president of Quarter Source (www .quartersource.com), a funding consulting firm for education leaders. Acquire knowledge of scientificbased research on education assessment. Enlist executive sponsorship to support your assessment project through education leadership involvement. Grants and Contests The Vernier Software & Technology/ NTSA Technology Award offers seven awards of $3,000 each for science educators. www.vernier.com/grants. Deadline: October 15, 2007 Knowledge Adventure’s Schools in Need competition will award 10 schools needing reading assistance for their students software packages valued at $12,000. www.knowledge adventureschool.com. Deadline: December 15, 2007 Tool Factory and Olympus invite K–12 educators to apply for a Digital Wish Grant, awarded each month and totaling up to $10,350. www.toolfactory.com. Deadline: June 28, 2008 Visit T&L’s complete grants database online at www.techlearning .com/resources/ grants.php. ■ Needs/baseline assessment Formative assessment Summative assessment • Conducting a needs analysis of assessment challenges in your organization. ■ • Designing and creating a database to facilitate the collection, storing, and retrieving of data. This enables you to write, implement, and to report your assessment project. • Forming a “think tank.” Make sure you invite key personnel from each department and education leaders from your schools and district. Keep this group informed by sending monthly e-mails on various grant opportunities and information. Philosophy and pedagogy currently implemented in district Leadership knowledge and support and responsibility Teacher knowledge and support and professional development needs ■ ■ 48 | www.techlearning.com http://Expectmore.gov http://Expectmore.gov http://www.quartersource.com http://www.quartersource.com http://www.vernier.com/grants http://www.knowledgeadventureschool.com http://www.knowledgeadventureschool.com http://www.toolfactory.com http://www.techlearning.com/resources/grants.php http://www.techlearning.com/resources/grants.php http://www.techlearning.com/resources/grants.php http://www.techlearning.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Technology & Learning - September 2007

Technology & Learning - September 2007 Contents Editor’s Desk News & Trends Product Guide Reviews Getting It Wrong Cover Story: SchoolBiz School CIO Higher Ed Integration How To What’s New Bottom Line

Technology & Learning - September 2007

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.