Congress is making critical decisions about FY 2017 funding. Contact your Representative and Senators now urging them to ask the Appropriations Committees to increase funding for ed tech programs. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) signed into law last December was an important first step authorizing the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant (SSAEG) program, which would provide formula support for districts to implement technology-focused professional development and acquire infrastructure. CoSN issued a statement calling on Congress to take “the next step in its FY 2017 budget and provide $1.6 billion for the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant to advance ESSA’s implementation. This is a program that will truly level the digital playing field. Now is the moment, for our students and educators, to keep moving forward on our national promise to them.” Act now. Make your voice heard in the appropriations debate: http://action.cosn.org/17420/support-enhancing-education-through-technology-act/
Contact Congress now and let them know the difference that technology makes in your district and the lives of your students.
Dear PAECT members,
As you well know, PAECT is your organization: the board and committee chairs, both regionally and for the state, are volunteers, selflessly giving hours of their time to make PAECT the great organization that it is. Some of you have already given back to the organization by running for elected office or offering services in various areas.
One thing we consistently hear as we talk with members from across the state is “How can we get involved?” Contacting your regional director is always one option we suggest. Getting involved in your region, planning for and participating in the wide variety of events offered, is certainly one way to “get your foot in the door.”
While there has never been a formal way of indicating a desire to be involved on the state level, we felt it was important to do so now. As the organization grows and evolves, we understand it is important to include fresh voices and new energy to sustain and help the organization continue its evolution. This is your call to action!
The PAECT Board has a number of non-voting committee chairs that are critical to our operations. They include the following:
If you have an interest in serving on a state level committee or as a presidentially-appointed board-level committee chair, you are welcomed and encouraged to share your specific area of interest with PAECT President Brandon Lutz (pres@paect.org) by March 16, 2016. If you would prefer to be involved more locally, contact your regional director at any time. Visit our CONTACTS PAGE to find your regional director’s contact information.
Thanks you for your service,
Brandon Lutz Scott Snyder
President Vice-President
Grant sponsored by KI.com
Grant Amount: Up to $500 and a one year extension of PAECT membership.
PAECT seeks proposals for projects that integrate technology into instruction, in order to improve teaching in any curricular area. It is required that the PAECT grant funds be utilized to purchase resources, technological or not, that focus on student or community learning which support a specified project. Any resource purchased under this grant will forever remain the property of the recipient.
PAECT grant funds may not be used for salaries, stipends or transportation.
Successful applicants will be notified on or before April 15, 2016.
Eligibility
Assurances:
The grant proposal will undergo a “blind” evaluation/scoring by a committee of PAECT Board members. Names will be hidden and assigned an ID number prior to scoring.
Click Here for complete information about the grant including scoring rubric.
Help CoSN be a strong voice for our students.
Join CoSN and SETDA as we carry a message to Congress on key policy issues critical to you, your district, and the students you serve.
Our past advocacy efforts have had a major impact: In 2014 we were successful in convincing the FCC to increase the E-rate by 60% (a $1.5 billion annual increase for broadband and Wi-Fi!). This past year we were successful in getting a major new bipartisan technology provision in the new Every Student Succeeds Act, which is now signed into law. That means that in 2016, it is critical that our community has a strong voice as these new national efforts are implemented in Washington and in all 50 states. We need your voice on Capitol Hill to ensure Congress continues – not hinders – this momentum.
We also need your voice as Congress makes important decisions about funding of ed tech programs.
The Summit will be your opportunity to:
Register for the Ed Tech Summit today
Visit the website to view the complete agenda for this can’t-miss two-day event.
Pre-registration of $99 is required
Please RSVP to Jamie Brandon (jamie.brandon@flpadvisors.com) so that we can plan for your participation and arrange Congressional office visits.
PAECT is growing! In order to accommodate such a dynamic, expanding membership, we have decided to update our membership system and web site to better meet member needs! On Wednesday, February 17th, the official transition will begin! How does this affect you as a member?
While we are planning for a smooth transition with very little disruption in service, problems could arise. The membership renewal system might not be available on that day. If all goes according to plan, we will be fully functional by Friday, February 19th, at www.paect.org.
After the transition is complete, we encourage you to visit the our new site! You will know you have reached the new site when you are greeted with an image slideshow at the top. This site serves as our web site and membership system. Much of the content is viewable without a login, but we will be building our members only section shortly.
For more info, see the email sent to your contact email address. Questions can be sent to info@paect.org.
We are excited YOU are on this exciting journey with us and for the new member offerings coming your way in 2016 and beyond!
It was such an honor for PAECT to be involved in the Young Innovators Fair in Oaks, PA on January 2nd and 3rd! We enjoyed having the opportunity to inspire young attendees and provide parents with ideas for activities that they could advocate for in their children’s schools. Here are some incredible stats from the event:
● 20,000 attendees over 2 days
● 7 hands-on stations facilitated by PAECT members
● 40 volunteers (not including student volunteers!)
● 37 new members
Our PAECT Educator Zone would not have been possible without the support of our members who volunteered for numerous shifts! Thanks to our members’ dedication, we were able to facilitate multiple hands-on activities for kids, inspiring thousands of families over the course of two days.
We also want to thank our gracious sponsors who provided devices and furniture to enhance the attendee experience.
● CDW provided Chromebooks for our Makey Makey station and Act 48/membership sign up hub
● KI Furniture designed and furnished our space
● Souderton School District provided iPads to support the app-based activities
Click here to see photos from the event! Look for an email to members in the fall asking if you would like to volunteer for next year’s event.
On December 20, 2015 the membership were notified of the names and biographies of each candidate.
After December 20, 2015 additional nominations will be accepted from the membership. To be deemed valid each nomination at this time must be completed on this form and include the names, addresses, and emails of not less than 5 members in good standing. Signatures of the 5 members must be sent to mhengelbrok@gmail.com or mailed to 4007 Dauphin Parkway, Erie, PA 16506 by January 11, 2016.
To run for election, the candidate must be a current member in PAECT, and membership must be valid through February 24, 2016. Elected members are expected to maintain membership.
Candidates may be submitted for only one role per election.
General election will begin January 12, 2016 and end on January 22, 2016.
Elections results will be shared with the membership at the annual membership meeting on February 22, 2016.
If you missed our big announcement on PAECT Radio, here's the summary:
PAECT is a proud partner of the Young Innovators Fair, a massive STEM event for kids, taking place in Oaks, PA on January 2nd and 3rd. The event is seeking PAECT members to facilitate activities, provide demonstrations, serve as World Ambassadors or simply assist in making this an awesome, inspiring event for kids! Listen to our archived PAECT Radio Show to find out more about the event and how you can become involved. As a volunteer, you will receive a tshirt, admission, and 4 tickets to share with family or friends!
Please complete this form if you are interested in sharing your talents at the Young Innovators Fair.
http://tinyurl.com/yifvolunteer Feel free to share this link with anyone who might be interested!
PAECT is Pennsylvania's affiliate for ISTE. Part of our advocacy is keeping you abreast of national educational technology advocacy efforts. Here is the December Advocacy Network Newsletter:
ISTE Advocacy Update December 2015.pdf
PAECT is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
