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.

Revised Dates for the TEA Online Testing Infrastructure Matching Grant

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.