KETS Funding and Reporting

Published: 8/2/2022 3:54 AM

Funding for education technology is made available to districts from state (KETS Offers of Assistance) and federal sources (E-Rate). Schools can use the District Technology Budget Planning Tool as a guide to develop and maintain a district technology plan and budget, using state and federal technology funds.

Federal Funding

The Universal Service program for schools and libraries, more commonly known as E-rate, is a federal initiative that provides discounts on telecommunications, Internet, and eligible internal connections to elementary and secondary schools and public libraries across this country.

All public elementary and secondary schools, as well as most K-12 private and parochial schools are eligible for discounts under the E-Rate program. In addition, libraries that are independent of institutions of higher education are also eligible. Colleges, universities, and their affiliated libraries, are not eligible to participate in the program; nor are daycare centers or after-school programs held off campus.

State Funding

KDE provides a yearly funding stream based on Adjusted Average Daily Attendance (AADA) as reported on the Superintendent's Annual Attendance Report (SAAR). Districts must match or escrow funds for up to three years. KRS 157.665 and KRS 157.655 establishes that in order to be eligible, districts are required to develop a plan for the expenditures of KETS funds, report on the use of these funds, and participate in the Technology Readiness Survey on an annual basis.

KETS Offers of Assistance

Technology Readiness Reports

The Technology Readiness Reports provide a snapshot of technology infrastructures throughout Kentucky schools and districts. Information represents data gathered from schools and districts throughout Kentucky as of June 30th each year. This data can be used to inform the tech planning process.

Technology Readiness Reports

Scott Kane

Office of Education Technology

Division of School Technology Planning and Project Management

300 Sower Blvd., 4th Floor

Frankfort, KY 40601

(502) 564-2020 ext. 2214

Fax (502) 564-1519

scott.kane@education.ky.gov

District Technology Planning Template:

Local school districts are to complete and submit an updated education technology plan on a yearly basis in April as part of the annual District Funding Assurance whereby local school districts are to assess all education technology services needed to support education, as defined by the KETS Master Plan for Education Technology and the online District Technology Planning tool enables districts to create a comprehensive technology plan that is aligned with the KETS Master Plan 2018-2024 Areas of Emphasis & Future Ready Framework.

The submission process for District Technology Planning is communicated annually to the districts through the KETS Regional Field Staff. District Technology leaders should work with their internal planning team to identify and document measurable strategies meant to improve the environment or to accelerate growth in an area where some degree of success is already taking place. The final District Technology Plan document is saved into a PDF format and submitted via a Google Form.

A sample of the District Technology Plan Template which covers contributing planning factors such as the planning team, previous plan evaluation, new plan preview and Student Voice is provided as a reference in PDF form below. The actual template link and submission link for the current school year are provided to districts through the KETS Regional Field Staff when the annual planning process is set to begin.

District Technology Plan Sample