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ICT Professional Development Clusters
Summary:	The Ministry of Education is seeking proposals from clusters of schools to carry out professional and school development programmes. These will support the implementation of the New Zealand Curriculum through the focus of achieving quality learning outcomes for all students through e-learning. Applications are now open for the selection of ICT PD clusters for the 2009-2011 programme. This page contains information regarding the application and selection process including links to the proposal guidelines. Last update: 24-Apr-2008

The Ministry of Education invites proposals from clusters of schools for funding to support professional development programmes focussed on quality learning outcomes for all students through e-learning.

The selection process for the 2009-2011 ICT PD programme has been reshaped into a two stage process. The first stage will create a shortlist of clusters from the submitted proposals. These proposals will not require a detailed programme or budget.

The short-listed clusters will then be supported in developing their proposal into a full programme, and if this progresses successfully, they will then negotiate a three year ICT PD contract with the Ministry of Education.

The intention of this change is to reduce the work required to create an ICT PD proposal and to better support clusters in developing their proposal into an effective PD programme.

Up to fifteen clusters will be funded for three years 2009-2011. There are no clusters that have been given a `priority status' for this selection round.

Section 1: Project Description

The intended outcomes of the programme are:

• Implementation of the New Zealand Curriculum / Te Marautanga o Aotearoa through the use of e-learning;
• Increased capability of teachers and principals to improve students' learning and achievement through e-learning;
• Strengthened professional learning communities and increased collaboration within and across schools;
• Increased e-learning leadership and ICT strategic planning capability of principals and teachers;
• Increased understanding of the educational contribution of e-learning by teachers, principals, students and school communities.

Clusters of state and integrated schools, kura and wharekura, are eligible to apply for funding under the ICT PD Cluster programme.

Priority will be given to eligible clusters of schools who have not participated in the programme previously. The Ministry may consider applications from a former cluster school (not a former cluster lead school) that is willing to now take the lead school responsibility for a new cluster of schools not previously funded. The proposal must clearly demonstrate the benefits of the lead school's experience for the other participating schools.

Schools that have participated in the programme previously (not a former cluster lead school) are eligible to participate in new clusters as a participating school only if:

• They are willing to substantially self fund their participation through the use of their own funds;
• They can clearly demonstrate their contribution to the cluster to build an effective self-sustainable programme.

Independent schools are also eligible to project manage, or participate in a cluster. Clusters consisting solely of independent schools will not be considered.

Clusters consisting solely of previously funded schools will not be considered.

The ICT PD cluster programme requires focused and dedicated commitment by all staff in all cluster schools over three years to ensure successful outcomes. The Extending High Standards Across Schools (EHSAS) programme places similar long term demands on schools. Schools currently involved or anticipating involvement in EHSAS will not be considered for funding in the ICT PD Cluster programme.

Involvement in a range of concurrent PD initiatives can place an over demand on schools and their staff that could detract from the success of the ICT PD programme. Proposals are required to provide an overview of how ICT PD will fit with existing or planned PD programmes and how they will mitigate any potential risks to the ICT PD programme posed by over commitment.

Clusters may apply for up to $120,000 (including GST) for each of the three years from 2009-2011 to support their professional development programmes. This funding level can effectively support approximately 100-140 staff for the length of the contract. The value of the contract for successful applicants that fall outside the staffing range may vary from $120,000 (including GST).

Cluster contracts are subject to annual review. Continuation of the contract depends on the cluster meeting the project outcomes and quality requirements.

One school in the cluster must be designated the lead school (the contractor) and will be contracted to take responsibility for administering, reporting and coordinating the programme. All schools in the cluster are expected to be actively involved and committed to successfully achieving the outcomes of programme.

Each cluster school is expected to contribute to the programme from their own professional development budget.

The proposal should reflect the following elements:

Goals and outcomes will reflect New Zealand Educational Priorities

• Implementation of the New Zealand Curriculum and delivering success for Māori as expressed in Ka Hikitia - Managing for Success;
• Other priorities such as the Pasifika Education Plan, and the Literacy and Numeracy strategy

Improving teaching quality and learning outcomes for all students

• Development of staff ICT skills leading to the confident use of a range of ICTs;
• Critical examination of existing professional beliefs, expectation and practices;
• Gathering, analysis and use of data as the basis for professional decision making;
• Increased knowledge of the contribution of e-learning to enhanced student outcomes.

Leadership and strategic planning

• A clear unified cluster vision, purpose and strategic approach that will excite, motivate and mobilise people;
• Evidence of strong and shared leadership from all principals and BoT within the cluster;
• Development of e-learning leadership at all levels across the cluster;
• An inclusive planning, consultation process to ensure the programme is community and school owned and driven;
• Clear definition of the role and responsibilities of the school nominated to act as the lead school in the proposed programme.

Professional learning communities

• Strong professionally enriching relationships are developed within the cluster, across the ICT PD network and with the wider education sector.

Effective professional development programme delivery

• Clear and realistic goals and objectives for enabling positive learning outcomes for all students and for changes in teaching practice;
• Strategies to ensure each cluster school's commitment to developing a professional learning community for principals, teachers and students.

Section 2: Responsibilities

The Ministry will:

• Coordinate the allocation of a `national support services facilitator' to the cluster who will liaise with cluster leaders and key personnel;
• Provide a national support framework and activities to support cluster programme implementation;
• Monitor the contractor's work through a series of reports and agreed milestones;
• Evaluate the programme by such means as it considers appropriate;
• Be responsible for payments to the fund holder school.

The contractor (as nominated by the cluster schools) will be required to:

• Work in close liaison with the assigned national support services facilitator
• Prepare, present, evaluate and modify, as necessary, professional development activities that meet the objectives of the contract in consultation and with the agreement of all cluster schools;
• Meet all contractual requirements including reporting on the achievement of milestone tasks by collating and submitting written progress reports at each milestone to the Ministry of Education that contain:
• Work completed to date;
• Formative evaluation of the programme to date including general observations as well as any formal measures used;
• Reflection on progress, including any issues arising from evaluations, and any plans to modify the programme in the light of these;
• Statement of financial position;
• Any other points of significance relating to the project.
• Carry out all administrative work (such as organising travel of project personnel, correspondence with schools etc.) associated with the programmes;
• Attend national and regional conferences/meetings as specified by the Ministry of Education;
• Administer the project budget in a business-like manner;
• Be registered for GST with the Inland Revenue Department;
• Submit a final report on the effectiveness of the programme for all cluster schools at a date to be agreed with the Ministry of Education.
• Regularly contribute information, strategies, case studies and resources relating to their ICT PD experiences to the wider network of ICT PD schools and online environments throughout the contract

Section 3: Selection process

Provided cluster schools meet the eligibility criteria, Clusters will be selected solely on the quality of the proposals as assessed by an independent selection panel. The panel will use the following selection criteria to make recommendations to the Ministry.

Proposals that demonstrate:

Proposal Outline

• Clear shared cluster vision, purpose and values;
• Consideration of the New Zealand Curriculum, delivering success for Māori as expressed in Ka Hikitia - Managing for Success and other New Zealand educational priorities;
• Use of evidence as a basis for identifying the development needs of the cluster;
• Measurable and realistic cluster goals with a strong emphasis on learning and pedagogy;
• Consistent views and understandings of effective professional development.

Professional leadership and cluster collaboration

• Strong leadership and commitment from all participating principals both across the cluster and within contributing schools;
• Evidence of planning, consultation and collaboration across the cluster and its community;
• Commitment to the development of a sustainable professional learning community;
• Capability to deliver an effective and diverse professional development programme;
• Effective administrative and management structure

Strategic resource planning commitments

• Financial contribution from cluster resources;
• Sufficient ICT Infrastructure (or a plan for implementation of ICT infrastructure) to commence a programme
• Commitment to the ICT PD programme as the key PD programme with the cluster schools
  

Wednesday July 16^th 2008 - Closing date for receipt of applications

Monday July 21^st 2008 - Receipt of applications acknowledged

August - October 2008 - Successful applicants enter into negotiation at scheduled meetings at their schools to develop their proposal into the contract

Proposals can be posted, couriered to the Ministry of Education. Couriering of proposals is recommended. All proposals must arrive at the Ministry of Education by 5:00 pm, Wednesday July 16^th 2008. Late or incomplete proposals will not be accepted.

All proposals, no matter the method of submission, must follow the proposal guidelines provided by the Ministry. Click here to access Proposal Guidelines

By COURIER Send three stapled (not bound) copies to ICT PD Cluster proposal Attn: Ruth Hughes Senior Administration Officer Ministry of Education e-Learning Unit Level 11 Public Trust Building 117 Lambton Quay WELLINGTON

By POST Send three stapled (not bound) copies to ICT PD Cluster proposal Attn: Ruth Hughes Senior Administration Officer Ministry of Education e-Learning Unit PO Box 1666 WELLINGTON

Contract Negotiation

Following evaluation of the proposals, the preferred proposers will be contacted and invited to develop an ICT PD programme with a view to entering into a contract. Support for developing a detailed and effective action plan will be provided during this time. This invitation is not a formal contract offer.

The following shall apply to the selection process:

• The Ministry will treat all proposals in the strictest confidence;
• The acceptance of proposal is the first stage of the ICT PD cluster selection process and does not constitute a formal offer of contract;
• The development of the proposal into an ICT PD programme is the second stage of the cluster selection process during which clusters both parties will act in good faith and that does not constitute a formal offer of contract;
• Clusters will be provided with support to meet the ICT PD programme development criteria during the second stage of the cluster selection process;
• Programme development will include details of the programme, the tasks to be completed at each milestone, and costing;
• The preferred proposal/s will be incorporated into the schedules of the draft contract/s.

The Ministry intends to make progress payments to the successful contractors at quarterly intervals upon completion of any contractual requirements and on receipt of a GST invoice. Successful contractors will be required to register for GST with the Inland Revenue Department.

The satisfactory completion of a milestone is dependant upon formal acceptance of the milestone report by the Ministry. The Ministry reserves the right to undertake whatever evaluations of the programme are seen as necessary. The Ministry reserves the right to make part payment for work that it regards as being unsatisfactory.

Extra work outside the scope of the contract and undertaken without the written approval of the Ministry will be deemed as gratuitous effort by the contractor who shall have no claim against the Ministry for such work.

Section 4: Enquiries

All enquiries related to these proposal specifications must be directed to:-

Neil Melhuish
Project leader: e-Learning Capability
Phone: 021.804.285 / 04.463.7706
email: neil.melhuish@minedu.govt.nz

No other Ministry personnel other than the official liaison person may be contacted by any individual or organisation responding to these Proposal Specifications without prior arrangements having been made either by the liaison person or Murray Brown, Manager e-Learning Unit.

Support with developing applications can be sought from:

To find out how an ICT PD programme functions and to discuss the experience of developing and implementing a programme you should make contact with current clusters in your region.

The LeadSpace Facilitator in your region. Contact: Geoff Lane geoff.lane@leadspace.school.nz

School support e-learning advisors at the regional Colleges / Schools of Education

Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Page for more information and resources.

Please refer to the Recommended Readings Page for links to a variety of documents including evaluations, research reports and strategy documents that can provide useful background information for ICT planning and implementation in New Zealand Schools.

Downloads:

Related Ministry Documents

Related Web Pages