Distance Learning Network Aid
Distance Learning Network Aid: Electronic Educational Equity
OVERVIEW
Distance Learning Network Aid is the core of the state’s educational technology success. It provides equitable funds for technology on a per student basis. Because of the state’s commitment to Distance Learning Network Aid, districts now share curricular offerings, ongoing projects and programs, and professional development opportunities via videoconferencing, web sites, and other online services. Students, teachers and administrators are able obtain online information and resources no matter where they are in the state, no matter what the size of the school district. This delivery is expanding the scope, quality, richness and diversity of curricula in all school districts.
DISTANCE LEARNING NETWORK AID
The Comprehensive Educational Improvement and Financing Act (CEIFA) established Distance Learning Network Aid, each year for five years, beginning in school year 1997-1998. The aid enables schools to build electronic communities for the sharing of resources, instructional opportunities, field trips, professional development opportunities, and online information access for student achievement of the Core Curriculum Content Standards. Distance Learning Network Aid was level-funded for a sixth year, school year 2002-2003.
Funds are distributed via a per pupil rate to all public school districts as indicated on this table.
|
1997-98 |
1998-99 |
1999-2000 |
2000-01 |
2001-02 |
2002-03 | |
| ENROLLMENT |
1,259,440 |
1,287,107 | 1,315,423 | 1,344,362 |
1,351,211 |
-- |
| FACTOR (per student) |
$ 40 |
$ 41 | $ 42 | $ 43 | $ 44 | $ 44 |
| TOTAL DLN AID | $50,377,600 | $52,771,387 | $55,247,766 | $57,807,566 | $59,453,272 | $58,875,490 |
NOTE: Data is based on annual enrollment increase and annual CPI increase except for school year 2002-2003.
The intent of Distance Learning Network Aid is to offer broad-based funding that results in united efforts and practices for educators and educational institutions statewide.
Guided by standards and protocols established through coordination of services that includes County Coordinated Services grant recipients and statewide initiatives that include the county councils for distance learning, these multiple networks are interconnected to serve the educational community throughout New Jersey. Thus, school districts are able to proactively seek the most appropriate technological solution to their educational technology needs, from basic Internet service to Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM).
