CenturyLink/OSPI Teachers & Technology Grant Program

Program Basics

Here are the program basics ― eligibility, how and when to apply, program objectives and more.

1. What Is the Teachers & Technology Grant Program?
2. Is the Teachers & Technology Grant Program for Me?
3. Is My District Eligible?
4. Am I Eligible?
5. Who Is Not Eligible?
6. How do I Apply for a Teachers & Technology Grant?
7. What Kinds of Learning Projects Work Best for the Teachers & Technology Grant Program?
8. How Much Funding & How Do I Spend It?
9. How Do We Select Grant Awardees?
10. How do We Fund the Teachers & Technology Grant Program?

What Is the Teachers & Technology Grant Program?
CenturyLink supports an OSPI-based program that promotes technology integration and the development of 21st century skills. The grant cycle opens in November and closes in February. When CenturyLink bought Qwest Communications in 2011 CenturyLink took over the Teachers & Technology Grant Program from the Qwest Foundation.

The Teachers & Technology grant program gives us an opportunity to recognize teachers who create innovative learning models that use digital technologies. These educators see technology as a powerful way to expand and stimulate the learning experiences for all students.

Program Objectives

1. Recognize teachers who integrate digital technologies to instruct and guide the 21st century learner.
2. Develop and promote web-based teacher profiles and related artifacts that document and interpret the experiences of our grant recipients.
3. Develop and document learning experiences that use a variety of digital technologies to improve student performance.
4. Identify instructional practices based on research and best practice that take advantage of today’s digital technologies.
5. Promote the integration of technology by sharing these proven innovations across the K-12 educational system.

Is the Teachers & Technology Grant Program for Me?
An ideal candidate for the Teachers & Technology grant program:

• Sees the potential of technology to engage and motivate students regardless of learning style.
• Knows how to, or is eager to, integrate real-world technologies into teaching and learning.

Is My District Eligible?
The CenturyLink/OSPI Teachers & Technology grant program is open to public school teachers and teacher-librarians (educators in the role of librarians, library-media specialists and media specialists) certified to teach in Washington state, who teach in a district with at least one school or administrative building located in a CenturyLink local service area. We provide a list of eligible districts when each grant cycle begins in November.

Am I Eligible?
Yes, if you are a K-12 public school teachers who:

• Is certified to teach in Washington state.
• Works .5 FTE and above and whose primary assignment is teaching in a self-contained classroom. (Teachers and specialists who provide only push-in or pull-out services are not eligible.)

Yes, if you are a K-12 public school teacher-librarian (educators in the role of librarians, library-media specialists and media specialists) who:

• Is certified to teach in Washington state.
• Works .5 FTE and above.

Grant applications can involve one teacher only or a teacher team. OSPI will consider one teacher or teacher team per application.

Who Is Not Eligible?

• Previous awardees of the Qwest Foundation Teachers & Technology Grant.
• Teachers and specialists who provide only push-in or pull-out services.

How do I Apply for a CenturyLink/OSPI Teachers & Technology Grant?
The application window opens in November and closes in February of the following year.

Bookmark this OSPI Web page – OSPI/CenturyLink Grant Program — and watch for updates. We publish the grant instructions/application form and scoring rubric on the site.

What Kinds of Learning Projects Work Best for the Teachers & Technology Grant Program?
Before you apply, review the learning projects of past grant award winners:

2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

How Much Funding & How Do I Spend It?
We will award $10,000 to each of nine teachers or teacher teams whose proposed project meets the requirements of the Teachers & Technology grant program.

OSPI disburses the grant funds to the applicant’s(s’) districts, which administers the grant money for each teacher or teacher team.

How Do We Select Grant Awardees?
Grant applications are reviewed using a two-stage process that ensures regional representation and state-level review.

Round #1

1. Committees at each Educational Service District (ESD) read and evaluate all applications from their region. (Committee members comprise staff whose professional expertise cross-sects K-12 instruction, educational technology and school administration.)
2. Committee members determine which applications meet the funding criteria best − based on grant application requirements and evaluation guidelines.
3. Each regional committee will recommend up to three applications from their ESD region or service area.

Round #2

1. A committee made up of representatives from OSPI, the Governor’s Office, Qwest Foundation and educators from across Washington evaluate the applications from each region.
2. Committee members select nine grant projects to fund. Grant award decisions are final.

How do We Fund the Teachers & Technology Grant Program?
CenturyLink now sponsors the Teachers & Technology Grant Program. Formerly underwritten by the Qwest Foundation, CenturyLink purchased the company in 2011. Staff in the Educational Technology unit at OSPI manage the program.