Holly+Email


 * ubject: Important CFF information! ||
 * From: "Jobe, Holly"  ||
 * Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:46:02 -0400 ||


 * To: Undisclosed recipients:; ||

Dear CFF Superintendents and Project Managers, We wish you a good start to the 2009-10 school year. We expect to sustain and build on the CFF program and the momentum of the excellent progress schools have seen throughout the state. Below and attached is information for your success. Evaluation of the Classrooms for the Future program provides critical indicators that help educational leaders steer the program and provides important information to the legislature to guide the expenditure of funds. This year’s evaluation focuses on the long-term impact of the program as it continues to impact education throughout the state. ** It is critical that all CFF schools continue the data collection as in the past three years. **   This year’s evaluation will be scaled back, focusing on answering the research questions using quantitative methods to extend our understanding of the long-term impact of the program. There will be no TPR data collection, only surveys and the CFF classroom observation tool. There will be webinars conducted the week of September 21st (September 22, 23, 24 and 25 from 3-4 PM) to update district personnel involved in the data collection, covering what the evaluation asks of district level personnel, as well as the timeline and processes for this year’s evaluation. (See attachment) For the first time this year, the CFF Evaluation Project will examine student-level achievement data in 300 randomly selected 11th grade CFF classrooms to understand the relationship between the increased access to technology and teacher training that the CFF program provides and academic achievement. Professional Development is the most vital element and the key to success for the Classrooms for the Future program. All participants are encouraged to participate in and use professional development experiences to integrate the technology appropriately by adopting practices that regularly integrate technology with teaching and learning, adopting technology-integrated program management practices where appropriate, and ensuring the commitment and endorsement of all Classrooms for the Future teachers. Professional development activities include: district provided face to face offerings, state sponsored opportunities and the on-line 21st Century Teaching and Learning Series. The courses will be available free of charge to districts and you may schedule blended study groups, offer self study or graduate study to teachers as well use the content of the courses to customize district professional development activities. (See attachment) The CFF instructional technology coach has been the most effective aspect of the CFF program and it is still uncertain if funding for cohort 2 and 3 CFF coaches will survive budget negotiations. If you are continuing the CFF coach the IU TIMS and PDE Mentors will be continuing support to them. The PDE plans to offer regional one day catch up coach sessions for NEW CFF coaches as soon as the budget is approved. Additional information will be forthcoming. There will be a variety of funding sources for CFF equipment this year: local, PA-PACT funds and Title IID EETT (Enhancing Education Through Technology) funds. Schools may purchase equipment using any of these funds from the CFF equipment contract for grades 5-12, however, districts are NOT required to purchase from the CFF equipment contract. For equipment lists and pricing, check the Vendor Partnership page on the CFF website: []. An updated 2009-10 CFF Handbook will be available after the budget is approved outlining additional professional development opportunities and detailed information for sustaining a successful Classrooms for the Future program. We wish you a successful start of the school year and look forward to another transformational year with the Classrooms for the Future program in your school. Sincerely, Holly M. Jobe Project Manager Classrooms for the Future Pennsylvania Department of Education Holly M. Jobe Project Manager Classrooms for the Future Pennsylvania Department of Education 333 Market St. Harrisburg, PA 17126 717-214-9393   c-hjobe@state.pa.us
 * Evaluation **
 * Professional Development **
 * Coaches **
 * Equipment **
 * Classrooms for the Future Handbook **