Caldwell schools among 21 districts to divvy $1.3 million grant
Jun. 2—LENOIR — Caldwell County is among 21 school districts chosen by the state to receive funding aimed at enhancing digital-age learning and teaching.
The State Board of Education recently approved 18 proposals through a competitive grant-program under the state's Digital Learning Initiative. The state-funded grants support the development and dissemination of local innovative digital learning models. The goal of the grant program is to have effective digital learning practices spread across all North Carolina K-12 public schools.
"We are excited and eager to expand the STEM bus offerings for the 2023-2024 school year," said Amy Philyaw, grant writer and STEM director at Caldwell County Schools. "The Emerging Technologies Digital Learning grant will provide funding to train teachers on the utilization of Tello Drones and Sphero RVR Cars. The cars will be incorporated into the District Robotics Competition during the Fall of 2023. Training will begin in October and continue throughout the school year. Teachers that participate in training and the implementation of this new STEM curriculum will have the opportunity to attend and present at the NCTIES conference in the Spring of 2024. Finally, as part of the grant, we hope to offer pop-up STEM camps during the summer of 2024 across the district."
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt said these grants are key to helping North Carolina's students be better prepared to compete for high-wage, high-demand careers while supporting districts in their effort to adopt new technologies and methods for teaching.
"These grants are such a critical way we continue providing digital teaching, learning supports, and resources for North Carolina's districts, educators, and students," Truitt said. "I commend these districts for their support of digital innovation and desire to incorporate technology into the classroom. These grants will make a difference in the way we equip our students for the rapidly changing, technologically driven world that they will soon enter."
Dr. Vanessa Wrenn, chief information officer for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), echoed how these grants positively impact a student's learning experience and better prepare them for the world ahead.
"Technology continues to play a significant role in shaping successful outcomes for students, especially as the workforce continues to be increasingly digitally driven," Wrenn said. "It is important for students to be well versed in the latest technologies. We continue to be impressed by these schools' innovation with their grant proposals and how the funds are used to transform student's educational experience."
Three different types of grant opportunities were available for all public school units in North Carolina, including: Emerging Technology, Professional Learning and Impact Grants.
Twelve Emerging Technology Grants were recommended for up to $50,000. These one-year grants allow districts to use technology and develop more innovative practices within their schools. These districts are:
— Edenton-Chowan Public Schools
— Ashe County Schools
— Grant County Public Schools
— Caldwell County Schools
— Vance County Schools
— Columbus County Schools
— Edgecombe County Public Schools
— Craven County Schools
— Cabarrus County Schools
— Buncombe County Schools
— Johnston County Public Schools
— Henderson County Public Schools
Three Professional Learning Grants were recommended for up to $30,000. These one-year grants allow districts to focus on professional learning that will support innovative practices and needs:
— Cabarrus County Schools
— Davidson County Schools
— Carteret County Public Schools
Six Impact Grants were recommended, allowing districts to facilitate the development of innovative practices and new digital teaching initiatives. Funding for the Impact grant is up to $95,000 per public school unit for a total of three years.
Three grants will be awarded beginning in the 2023-2024 school year:
— Asheboro City Schools
— Iredell-Statesville Schools
— Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.
Impact Grant funding will continue for three school districts through 2025, as they were previously awarded during the 2022-23 school year:
— Caldwell County Schools
— Mount Airy City Schools
Davie County Schools
The grant initiative was authorized in 2016 by the General Assembly as part of collaboration between the State Board of Education and the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at N.C. State University to advance the state's Digital Learning Plan. The goal of that plan is to develop a long-term strategy that sets directions and priorities, supports innovation, and provides resources to enable educators and students to benefit fully from digital-age teaching and learning.
