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Event
Demystifying the Package: Surprise Opportunities, Accountability and Transparency - New York
April 29, 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.
BACK TO TOP
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
Among the different funding channels for the state, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides New York 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 some fresh ideas.
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 Town Hall Discussion
Attendees will be invited to participate in a discussion about what local plans are underway, discuss strategic partnerships and ideas for the future!
Speakers will discuss topics like:
1. How is your organization planning for spending of the stimulus dollars?
2. Who are the key personnel involved in the stimulus planning?
3. What types of projects are you considering?
4. How are you setting priorities?
5. Have you identified timelines for fund disbursement? Application processes?
6. What do you need from industry in order to be more successful?
Moderator: John Miri, Senior Fellow, the Center for Digital Government and Education
Panel:
- Regent Joseph Bowman, NY Board of Regents (invited)
- Julian Cohen, Director, New School Development, New York City Department of Education
- Bruce Lai, Chief of Staff to the CIO, NYC Department of Education
- Burton Sacks, Deputy Chief Operating Officer for Management Services, CUNY
11:30 a.m.
Transparency, Accountability and the ARRA
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
Noon
Lunch will be served
1:00 p.m.
Adjourn
Location
Harvard Club of New York City35 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10036
212.840.6600
Please be sure to use the lobby entrance on West 44th Street.
The Harvard Club recommends Hippodrome Garage for parking. The Hippodrome Garage is the closest parking facility and is conveniently located on the same street as the Harvard Club at 50 West 44th Street. The Hippodrome Garage phone number is 212.997.9096.
