Ed grants can be used for Apple technologies (fwd)

[cashcash at EMAIL.ARIZONA.EDU]

Ed grants can be used for Apple technologies
By Dennis Sellers dsellers at maccentral.com
http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/2003/05/29/edgrants/

May 29, 2003 11:30 am ET

There are a variety of grants available now to educational users that can
include Apple technologies.

The Foreign Language Assistance Grants from the U.S. Department of Education
can be used for Apple's Mobile Curriculum Carts. This U.S. Department of
Education (ED) program will provide US$10 million in grants to local educational
agencies for "innovative model programs providing for the establishment,
improvement, or expansion of foreign language study for elementary and secondary
school students."

For 2003, preference will be given to proposals that establish, improve,
or expand foreign language learning in grades K-8 -- especially Russian,
Chinese, and Arabic -- or proposals that establish a foreign language program
in underserved schools. Preference also will be given to applications that
make effective use of technology -- such as computer-assisted instruction,
language laboratories, or distance learning -- to promote foreign language
study. ED expects to make about 90 awards ranging from $50,000 to $175,000.
The deadline for application is June 13.

iLife lessons are a possibility for the Jordan Fundamentals Grants from the
Jordan Brand, a division of Nike Inc. Since 1999, basketball star Michael
Jordan's Jordan Fundamentals program has donated up to 400 grants of $2,500
each year. The grants fund resource materials, supplies, equipment, transportation,
or other costs related to field trips, software, and other items required
to implement and assess a proposed lesson or thematic unit.

Teachers or paraprofessionals who work with students in grades 6-12 in a
U.S. public school -- and who also demonstrate "instructional creativity
and exemplify high learning expectations for economically disadvantaged students"
- are eligible to apply. Applicants must develop an original lesson plan
or thematic unit. Unique teaching methods and projects are encouraged. At
least 40 percent of the school's student population must be eligible for
the free or reduced-price lunch program. Go to the Nike Web site for more
info. The deadline for applications is June 15.

iLife lessons can also be considered in the U.S. Department of Education's
Arts in Education Grant Program, which supports the development, documentation,
evaluation, and dissemination of "innovative, cohesive models" that have
demonstrated their effectiveness in (1) integrating arts into the core elementary
and middle school curricula, (2) strengthening arts instruction in these
grades, and (3) improving students' academic performance, including their
skills in creating, performing, and responding to the arts. The U.S. Department
of Education expects to grant 33 awards ranging from $293,000 to $836,000.
The registration deadline is July 10.

Apple itself offers the iLife Educator Awards, which recognize the most innovative
uses of iLife. Teachers that use iLife applications "creatively to enhance
lessons, exceed instructional standards, and meet the needs of today's students"
are encouraged to submit their lesson plans for consideration.

The contest is open to all K-12 educators, as well as pre-service teachers
and faculty of accredited colleges of education, in the U.S. or Canada (excluding
Quebec). The first prize winner will receive a 12-inch PowerBook G4 with
an 867 MHz processor, a Canon ZR60 camcorder, and a Canon PowerShot A60 digital
camera. The school of the first prize-winning teacher will receive an Apple
Mobile Digital Media Studio with eight iBooks, an AirPort wireless access
point, Canon digital video camcorders, printers, and other peripherals. Prizes
also will be awarded for second and third place and honorable mention.

If you're considering funding for Apple's Digital Campus Curriculum, you
may wish to check out the Tech-Prep Demonstration Program by the U.S. Department
of Education.

The $9.9 million program provides grants to enable consortia described in
section 204(a) of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education
Act of 1998 to carry out tech-prep education projects authorized by section
207 of the Perkins Act that involve the location of a secondary school on
the site of a community college, a business as a member of the consortium,
and the voluntary participation of secondary school students. ED expects
to make 14 awards ranging from $600,000 to $700,000. The registration deadline
is June 26.

Apple's Early Literacy: PreK-3 Mobile Curriculum Cart can be considered under
the Reading First Grants from the U.S. Department of Education. Reading First
is a formula grant program that provides assistance to states and school
districts to establish scientifically based reading programs in kindergarten
through third grade classrooms, to ensure that all children learn to read
well by the end of third grade. You must apply by July 1.