Demystifying the Package: Surprise Opportunities, Accountability and Transparency - Texas

April 15, 2009

Do you have the right partners?
How are you planning for accountability and transparency of economic stimulus projects?
Are there specialized sources of money in the bill that you should know about?

The 'Great Recession' is taking a lot out of public education. The federal stimulus - known formerly as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) - is intended to put a share of an allocated $787 billion back in. It is being used to stabilize budgets and forestall layoffs of teachers in the short term. In the long term, it also offers the potential to help remake education through strategic investments in educational technology, broadband connectivity, school modernization, direct support for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and community service block grants.

And, while it's true that there are millions and millions of dollars available to education for technology, broadband deployment and school modernization, we have also discovered some interesting opportunities for the education community to pursue in some of the "not so obvious" places in the bill.

Converge and its Center for Digital Education have been tracking the bill since early January, detailing the provisions of the 1,100-page bill and documenting each new development in the roll-out of this important new funding stream.

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Agenda

8:30 a.m.
Coffee and Registration

9:00 a.m.
Introductions

9:15 a.m.
Finding Opportunity in 1,100 Pages of Bill: A Primer on the Known Knowns, the Known Unknowns and the Mechanics of Money under the Stimulus

Presentations:
Alternative Funding
ARRA Transparency

Among the different funding channels for the state, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides Texas millions of dollars in ed-tech funds to purchase up-to-date computers and software. In addition to these funds, there are community service block grants, broadband monies, school modernization funds, STEM support dollars and more. Converge and its Center for Digital Education has been tracking the bill since early January. The research team is conducting a constant scan of media and political coverage. This session will offer a few fresh ideas about non-traditional educational funding channels.

John Miri, Senior Fellow, the Center for Digital Government and Education

About the speaker: John Miri is a former Board Member for the Texas Online Authority (Statewide Portal Authority. He has also served as the Chairman for Technology Sub-committee at the Texas Online Authority. He is an expert in bridging the gap between vision and real world solutions specifically in simplifying online services and cyber security. Additionally, John has led social networking, Web 2.0 and web service platform initiatives through his work as Director of E-Government and Web Services for the State of Texas. A Harvard graduate and private sector executive, John has also served as a special assistant to the Texas state CTO and the CIO for the Texas Department of Information Resources.

9:30 a.m.
Perspectives and Partnerships Panel

This panel will feature public and private sector executives. Panelists will discuss include what local plans are underway, strategic partnerships and ideas for the future.

John Miri, Senior Fellow, the Center for Digital Government and Education

Confirmed panelists to date:

Dr. Jerel Booker, Associate Commissioner for Educator Quality and Standards
John Drogin, Former Press Secretary, US Senator John Cornyn
Anita Givens , Associate Commissioner, Standards and Programs, Texas Education Agency
Mark Strama, Representative, Texas House of Representatives & Technology, Economic Development and Workforce Committee Chair

11:30 a.m.
Stimulus as the New Normal: More than 787 Billion New Reasons Not to Ignore the Man Behind the Curtain: Transparency, Accountability and Trust in Public Institutions

The federal government has made it clear that the ARRA funds will have strict reporting requirements. The transparency and accountability conversation is a vital part of strategic planning for projects moving forward with ARRA funding. The Center will offer tips, definitions and points to consider helping education executives prepare for the next 24 months.

John Miri, Senior Fellow, the Center for Digital Government and Education

12:00 p.m.
Lunch will be served

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Location

The Driskill
604 Brazos St
Austin, TX 78701
800.252.9367

There will be no charge for parking for public sector attendees. Please be sure to use The Driskill Hotel valet parking.

PARKING: (prices subject to change without notice)
- Parking for guests attending scheduled functions: $14 per day
- Valet parking: $25 per day

There are also several self parking lots and garages within walking distance from the hotel.

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