Updates to TEA Online Testing Infrastructure Matching Grant
| Date: | February 24, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Updates to TEA Online Testing Infrastructure Matching Grant |
| Category: | Student Assessment |
| Next Steps: | Share with appropriate staff |
The purpose of this communication is to inform superintendents and district and campus technical staff about the application extension and other updates regarding the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Online Testing Infrastructure (OTI) Matching Grant, first announced here.
Updates to Program Guidelines
Applicants are encouraged to regularly check the Grant Opportunities webpage for updates to the program guidelines and additional resources. The following updates are reflected in the program guidelines errata.
- The grant application due date has been extended to April 4, 2022. A table of revised dates for the grant can be found below.
- Tier 2 funding is restricted to hardware and hardware installation and activation. The costs of firewalls and other software are not eligible to be covered by the grant, nor are any recurring charges, such as long-term service contracts for maintaining equipment.
- Since the OTI Matching Grant requires the submission of FCC Form 471 (a financial document required for E-Rate federal grants), support related to submitting FCC Form 471 for funding year 2022 will be provided through a live webinar series. Dates for the FCC Form 471 webinars and registration links are listed in the table below. Registration information will also be included in the grant’s program guidelines. In addition, recordings of these webinars will be posted on the Grant Opportunities webpage.
| Date: | Occurrence: |
|---|---|
| January 18, 2022 | Grant posted to TEA’s Grant Opportunities webpage |
| February 22, 2022 | Pre-recorded grant webinar posted to Grant Opportunities page |
| February 25, 2022 |
Live FCC Form 471 Webinar #1, register here; Final date to submit questions for Grant FAQ |
| March 4, 2022 | Grant FAQ posted to Grant Opportunities webpage |
| March 8, 2022 | Live FCC Form 471 Webinar #2, register here |
| March 15, 2022 |
Live FCC Form 471 Webinar #3, register here; Final date to submit questions for Revised Grant FAQ |
| March 21, 2022 | Revised Grant FAQ posted to Grant Opportunities webpage |
| March 30, 2022 | Live FCC Form 471 Webinar #4, register here |
| April 4, 2022 | Grant applications must be emailed to loiapplications@tea.texas.gov by 11:59 p.m. (CT) |
| June 6, 2022 |
Anticipated grant award announcement; Selected LEAs may begin grant-funded projects |
Please submit any questions regarding the OTI Matching Grant to StudentAssessment@tea.texas.gov.