La Vernia ISD TIFB Distance Learning Grant Summary

La Vernia ISD has evaluated the needs of our students, staff, parents and the community at large. Due to the semi-rural location of La Vernia, travel time, transportation logistics and the lack of community resources limits access to many educational opportunities.

La Vernia ISD proposes to address this problem through the introduction of advanced technology in the form of a Distance Learning System. This technology answers logistical problems and lack of local resources by bringing the resources to the learner.

The goals of the proposal are to:

1. Enrich the curriculum and share educational resources and learning opportunities.

2. Provide enhanced on-site staff development in a wide variety of areas with increased convenience, frequency and availability.

3. Provide local parental and community access to adult literacy classes, GED/ESL, certification training, continuing education and college courses.

The following objectives will allow La Vernia ISD to fulfill all three goals:

1. Identify existing District technologies and equipment that can be used as a foundation and backbone for the Distance Learning System.

2. Identify distance learning equipment and services that tie into existing equipment and that interface with our content provider, the Region 20 ESC.

3. Identify and obtain funding for purchase, installation and support of this system.

4. Purchase and install the system; train operators and support staff.

5. Implement content delivery to students, staff, parents and the community.

6. Evaluate system effectiveness continually and adjust system and content as required.

7. Update and expand system continually to meet future growth and needs.

In order to best expand our educational offerings and provide needed community resources, La Vernia ISD is applying for a Non-Competitive Distance Learning Grant to leverage local funding and install an H.320 Distance Learning System in our new library and an H.323 LAN Videoconferencing Distribution System in our District.

The Distance Learning System will allow us to expand and enhance our curriculum by sharing resources and learning opportunities. It will also significantly improve staff development by providing convenient, accessible, quality interactive training locally.