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The application window for Texas schools and school districts to apply for a competitive Planning Grant offered by New Tech Network (NTN) ends this week.
School leaders have until Friday, Feb. 7 to submit an application to explore NTN’s innovative school model and design resources.
Schools qualify for additional education funding provided by the Texas State Legislature when a traditional school implements and meets certain benchmarks of the NTN’s project-based learning model. Texas House Bill 3 (HB 3), a school finance bill passed by the 86th Texas Legislature in 2019 and signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, specifically offers a financial incentive for engaging in school design and professional development with NTN. In the Career and Technology Education (CTE) section of HB 3, campuses that are NTN members qualify for an additional $50 per student allotment.
New Tech Network first offered a series of Planning Grants in the fall of 2019. After significant interest from Texas school and district leaders, the nonprofit expanded its investment in the grant program to allow more schools to explore school redesign opportunities. Many fall 2019 Planning Grant award winners are in the process of executing their school transformation strategy with NTN.
“Through our project-based learning focused model, NTN has helped schools achieve their vision by developing the people, tools and resources within their current school or district structure,” said Lydia Dobyns, president & CEO of New Tech Network during the launch of the Spring grant program. “The NTN Planning Grants allow schools to explore this model at no cost to the district. We have a proven track record of success in Texas and look forward to the opportunity to partner with even more educators to reimagine learning in a way that creates the best outcomes for all students.”
NTN’s Planning Grants provide district and charter schools with:
- Executive tour to an NTN school
- Up to $3,000 for travel-related expenses
- Participation in New Tech Network’s School Design Academy
- Six months of access to NTN school design tools
The current grant application period officially opened on Jan. 13 and will close Feb. 7. Recipients will be notified of their acceptance by Friday, Feb. 14, with school tours beginning at the end of the month.
To learn more about NTN in Texas, visit their website.
New Tech Network, a national nonprofit organization, is a leading design partner for comprehensive K-12 school change. NTN has successfully guided over 200 schools and districts in 28 states with a whole school, systemic approach where student skills are valued as much as test scores. New Tech Network provides professional development and coaching for teachers and school leaders to inspire and engage all students through authentic and challenging work. The New Tech school model features multiple student learning outcomes combined with pervasive project-based learning, an inclusive school-wide culture and the real-world use of technology tools and resources.
