NEWS
For Immediate Release
April 7, 2010
ISBE awards $10 million to schools for technology upgrades
Fifteen school districts to update technology through federal stimulus dollars
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois State Board of Education announced today it will distribute $10 million in recovery funds toward enhancing student achievement in literacy and mathematics with the use of one-to-one technology such as laptops, computer notebooks and iPod touches. The competitive grants were awarded to 15 districts across the state as part of a federal grant program designed to improve student academic achievement through the integration of technology in schools and help every student become technologically literate by the end of eighth grade.
“Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, more school districts in Illinois will be able to increase access to critical technology and resources to enhance learning and better prepare them for academic and career success,” said State Superintendent Christopher A. Koch. “This will help students who might not otherwise have access to laptops and other technology keep up with their peers across the state and the nation.”
School districts that have the highest percentages of children from low income families and serve one or more schools identified for improvement under the No Child Left Behind Act, or have a substantial need for assistance in acquiring technology, were eligible to apply for the federal grant as well as eligible local partnerships. Such partnerships must include at least one high-need district and at least one of the following:
- A school district that can demonstrate that teachers in its schools are effectively integrating technology and proven teaching practices into instruction.
- An institution of higher education that is in full compliance with the reporting requirements of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and that has been identified as low-performing.
- A for-profit technology business or organization.
- A public or private non-profit with demonstrated expertise in the application of educational technology in instruction.
The grant period expires September 30, 2011. ISBE received and reviewed 182 proposals before awarding grants to the following districts:
| District Name | Amount Recommended |
|---|---|
| Marshall CUSD C-2 |
$630,000
|
| Hoover-Schrum Memorial SD 157 |
$700,000
|
| United CUSD 304 |
$480,000
|
| Round Lake Area SD 116 |
$850,000
|
| Bradley-Bourbonnais CHSD 307 |
$850,000
|
| Pontiac Twp HSD 90 |
$480,000
|
| Carlinville CUSD 1 |
$828,000
|
| Herrin CUSD 4 |
$660,000
|
| Rich Twp HSD 227 |
$830,000
|
| Thomasboro CCSD 130 |
$332,000
|
| Creve Coeur District 76 |
$640,000
|
| Unity Point CCSD 140 |
$675,000
|
| Lincoln SD 156 |
$590,000
|
| Madison CUSD 12 |
$850,000
|
| Alton CUSD 11 |
$605,000
|
| Total |
$10,000,000
|
