IN THIS ISSUE:

The 2007 MiCTA conference to be hosted at Michigan State University

Reminder to Members- Member Number Required to Participate in MiCTA Contracts

2007 eRate features changes, improvements from Eschoolnews.com

Eligibility requirements for all internal connections:

The truth about telecom taxes and reform-The real effect on local government

Introducing 2 webinar opportunities from Desire2Learn

New standards aid in virtual instruction

Welcome new members

ESN Grant Alert

MiCTA introduces Konnech as a vendor alliance partner

Make Sure to check out this month’s vendor corner

Just for fun

The 2007 MiCTA conference to be hosted at Michigan State University

The conference will be held at The James B. Henry Center for Executive Development on the Michigan State University Campus, May 8 – 9, 2007.  Hotel accommodations have been negotiated with the Candlewood Suites (which is attached to the Henry Center).  Room rates are $85 for a Studio Suite and $105 for a 1 – Bedroom Suite.

Reminder to Members- Member Number Required to Participate in MiCTA Contracts

Under most circumstances, you will have to provide your MiCTA member number to the applicable vendor to enjoy the pricing and terms of the MiCTA contract, additionally you make also have to provide the MiCTA contract number. If you don’t know your member number or have any questions about contract numbers, you can call Amiee Young at (888) 870-8677.

2007 eRate features changes, improvements
State eRate coordinators say new efforts by program administrators are reducing anxiety
By Corey Murray, Senior Editor, eSchool News

With the next application period for the eRate only a month away, program administrator Mel Blackwell talks with eSchool News about the changes that applicants to the $2.25 billion-a-year program can expect in 2007.

October 13, 2006—As the filing window for the 2007-08 funding year draws near, schools and libraries applying for discounts under the $2.25 billion-a-year federal eRate program have at their disposal a host of new resources intended to help them navigate the complex funding process.

Though the 2007 filing window cannot open until officials at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approve a revised list of services that are eligible for discounts under next year's program, the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) of the Universal Service Administrative Co. (USAC), the independent outfit tapped by the FCC to help oversee the eRate, says it expects to begin processing applications as early as mid-November, giving schools about a month to make final preparations.

In this special feature, eSchool News talks with SLD Vice President Mel Blackwell about what's new for the 2007 funding year and examines the strides program administrators are taking to streamline the process for applicants, many of whom have voiced frustrations over the program and its track record of abuse. The remainder of this article is available by clicking this link to the ESchoolNews.com website.

Introducing 2 webinar opportunities from Desire2Learn

Desire2Learn would like to invite you to join an exclusive webinar event.

This month there are two opportunities for you to join an event which will spotlight Desire2Learn’s Learning Environment. Join us on November 15 th or November 29 th, 2006 at 2:00 PM EST for a webinar that will highlight the following:

• Competencies
• Rubrics
• Reporting
• Blogging

Check the website below for more details and to register for one of these events.

The first five people to register will receive a special early bird prize!

For more information on upcoming webinar events and topics please visit www.Desire2Learn.com/Webinars or email Webinars06@Desire2Learn.com

New standards aid in virtual instruction

SREB issues cost, teaching guidelines for online learning programs

By Justin Appel, Assistant Editor, eSchool News

The Southern Regional Education Board has released cost guidelines for establishing virtual schools and a set of standards for ensuring high-quality online teaching. The guidance comes as K-12 education is experiencing an explosion in online learning programs.

September 29, 2006—The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) has issued two new guidance documents for helping policy makers and education leaders as they establish online learning programs.

"Standards for Quality Online Teaching," a follow-up to the group's 2003 report, "Essential Principals of High-Quality Online Teaching," offers a checklist of sorts on what makes a great online teacher. And "Cost Guidelines for State Virtual Schools" gives various scenarios for starting a virtual school from the ground up.

The first of these reports contains a number of standards that SREB member states, or anyone else with an online learning program, can use to define and implement high-quality online teaching. Within these standards, SREB has defined the qualities that demonstrate they are being met. To continue reading this article, please click this link and visit the ESN.com website.

The truth about telecom taxes and reform
The real effect on local government

Washington , D.C.   –Local and state governments stand to lose $8 billion a year in revenues if Congress further restricts their ability to levy taxes or fees on the telecommunications industry.  According to a study released today by a coalition of local government organizations, including The U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties, the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, and the Government Finance Officers Association, the jobs of more than 150,000 teachers, police officers and firefighters could be on the line if the telecom industry receives preferential treatment.

The coalition study, The Local Government Perspective on Telecommunications Taxes, debunks claims by the telecommunications industry that it is unfairly taxed relative to other businesses.  Instead, it shows that the industry pays essentially the same level of property taxes as other businesses, and, in some cases, lower corporate income taxes than many “general businesses.”  The telecom industry also ignores that it is taxed at rates significantly lower than some other industries such as the utility industry. 

Dearborn (MI) Mayor Michael A. Guido, President of The U.S. Conference of Mayors, said, “This study is important because it points out the flaws in the telecom industry’s 2004 COST Study, which significantly overstates the average state and local tax rate for the telecom industry.  It would disturb me if any member of Congress would allow the COST Study to have influence over the debate to change our taxes on communications.”

Currently the Senate is considering a telecommunications reform bill that includes provisions that would severely restrict the ability of local and state governments to tax certain telecom services. Although the Senate bill would restrict only two sources of revenue for local governments, these provisions could represent the first step toward eliminating all telecom-specific state and local taxes.  Some policymakers appear to be basing their support for telecom tax reform on this flawed 2004 COST Study funded by the telecom industry.  As a result, c oalition members are actively opposing any legislation that impedes their taxing authority.

Montgomery County (MD) Council Member Marilyn Praisner, a member of the National Association of Counties Board of Directors and Chair of NACo’s Telecommunications Steering Committee, said, “If Congress accepts the telecom industry’s claims and changes their tax rates based on the industry’s figures alone, the revenue loss to state and local governments would be significant.”

The Coalition’s study reveals that the estimated annual loss to state and local governments would be approximately $8 billion every year.  Eighty-one percent of all cities with populations over 50,000 would see their tax revenues decline.  As a result, they would either be forced to cut services to local residents or raise taxes on other taxpayers.

Among other glaring flaws, the COST Study omits essential information and improperly lumps taxes together with various kinds of user fees, including right-of-way fees – which pay for the industry’s use of public streets and sidewalks.  The COST Study also ignores other special benefits the telecom industry receives under state and local law that other businesses do not.  The Coalition believes that it would be foolhardy to enact federal laws based upon the weak and incomplete information in the COST Study. 

“We stand for fairness for all industries involved in providing telecommunications services. There should be no favoritism to any one competitor so that we can have TRUE competition,” said Arvada (CO) Mayor Ken Fellman, former head of NLC’s Information Technology and Communications Committee and a member of NATOA’s Board of Directors. “In addition, we are elected to be the watchdogs for our communities and have a responsibility to ensure that our local economic futures are secure.  Any restriction on local authority to levy fees or taxes will have serious and negative long-term impacts.”

The Coalition maintains that local governments are open to simplifying telecom taxes for the 21 st Century.  Local governments do not, however, accept the notion that ‘reform’ should be a disguise for federal preemption of state and local government taxing authority.

The Coalition also believes that the telecom industry’s plea for federally mandated tax favoritism opens the door to other industries asking Congress for similar special exemptions from state and local tax authority, and poses a dire threat to state and local tax revenues. 

This article is reprinted with permission from the National Association of Counties, www.NACo.org. For copies of the full report, executive summary and other materials, go to the websites for any the following organizations:   USCM – www.usmayors.org; NLC – www.nlc.org; NACo – www.naco.org; NATOA – www.natoa.org; GFOA – www.gfoa.org.

Welcome new members

American Maritime Officers

Boise Basin Library District

Chicago City Colleges

Colorado Springs Housing Authority

Las Vegas City Schools

Moravian Village of Bethlehem

NJEDge.Net

Texas Christian University

Thunder Bay Health Services, Inc.

Westminster College

Attention teachers and administrators-2 opportunities for Grant Money!

$5,000 for young leaders to use for higher ed or charities
Grant Title : Global Action Awards
Organization : NetAid
Eligibility: High school students
Value: Winners receive $5,000 for their higher education
Deadline : November 30, 2006

This award recognizes exceptional young leaders who have engaged in projects related to world hunger, health, human rights, education, etc. Projects must demonstrate innovation, cooperation, leadership, inspiration, and impact.

Contact:   http://www.netaid.org/global_action_awards/

$200,000 for schools with excellent character education
Grant Title : National Schools of Character
Organization : Character Education Partnership
Eligibility: Schools engaged in three years of character education
Value: 10 awards of up to $20,000 each
Deadline : December 4, 2006

Every year, the Character Education Partnership (CEP) names 10 public and private K-12 schools and districts as National Schools of Character for their outstanding work in character education. The purpose of the awards program is to honor these exemplars, showcase their work, and help them to inspire and lead others.

Contact:  http://www.character.org/site/c.gwKUJhNYJrF/b.993295/k...

MiCTA introduces Konnech as a vendor alliance partner

MiCTA is pleased to announce the addition of our newest vendors. Konnech, Inc. is a unique company that designs high performance telephone systems built on Microsoft technology, transforming Microsoft Outlook into a complete communications interface. After 5 years in operation, Konnech has become a leading designer of customized solutions in the telecommunications industry, most notably for their BestBrief message solutions. BestBrief enables schools, offices and other MiCTA members to instantly send the same message - in different ways - to tens, hundreds, or even thousands of people within minutes. Senders can relay the same messages, alerts and notices through email, cellular or landline phones, cellular and PDA text messages, and fax machines. For more information on Konnech, Inc. and their BestBrief message solutions please click this link or call the MiCTA office at 888-870-8677.

Make sure to check out this month’s Vendor Corner

ANGEL Learning, an endorsed MiCTA LMS vendor, Receives Innovation Award from Indiana University Entrepreneurial Awards of Distinction

Indianapolis, Ind. – October 26, 2006 – Endorsed MiCTA Vendor-ANGEL® Learning, developer of the simply powerful ANGEL Learning Management Suite (LMS) and ANGEL ePortfolio, today announced it has received an Indiana University Entrepreneurial Award of Distinction (IUEAD) for Innovation. The Innovation Award recognizes ANGEL Learning as a pioneer in LMS development. The company was also recognized as a Finalist for Spirit and Growth Awards.

“The ANGEL Learning team is honored to be recognized with an IUEAD Innovation Award,” said Christopher Clapp, ANGEL Learning president and CEO. “Our success is a team effort focused on belief in our product and commitment to our customers. The ANGEL team is pleased to be recognized as innovators and equally pleased our ANGEL software is making a difference in education in Indiana and across the nation.”

The ANGEL Learning Management Suite brings the power of the internet to traditional face-to-face classes and distance learning. MiCTA member institutions including K12 and higher education schools and institutions, and organizations and corporations across the country and the world create exceptional educational experiences with ANGEL.

MiCTA members who license ANGEL play a pivotal role in ANGEL’s community innovation development model, not only suggesting product features but also providing valuable input during the design cycle. ANGEL clients include the largest college in the country, Miami Dade College, and two of the country’s largest university systems, Michigan State and Penn State universities. Some of the MiCTA members that recently licensed ANGEL are: Ferrum College, Ferrum, VA; Gannon University, Erie, PA; West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX; McHenry County College, Crystal Lake, IL; Mount St. Mary’s College, Los Angeles, CA.

delete this sentence - Locally, MSD Wayne Township, MSD Perry Township, MSD Washington Township, IPS, the IU School of Medicine, Franklin College and a host of others impact education in Indiana with ANGEL. – end delete

“The IU Entrepreneurial Awards of Distinction celebrate and showcase the tremendous achievements of Indiana’s entrepreneurial companies,” said Donald F. Kuratko, executive director of the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and The Jack M. Gill chair of entrepreneurship in the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. “Recognizing the hard work and tenacity evident in award winning companies presents a unique opportunity to celebrate the true greatness that exists in the State of Indiana.”

About ANGEL Learning

ANGEL Learning, Inc. develops and markets enterprise e-learning software. Our flagship products are the ANGEL Learning Management Suite and the ANGEL ePortfolio system. Our products have been honed by use – with millions of students and instructors served from K to corporate. We enjoy a reputation for creating products with exceptional ease of use, excellent vision into learner progress, and for keeping our commitments. ANGEL LMS received the 2006 Software & Information Industry Association CODiE award for Best Postsecondary Course Management Solution. Having emerged from the academy ourselves, our core values reflect those of our customers well. ANGEL world headquarters is in Indianapolis, Indiana. To learn more about the ANGEL difference, visit us at www.angellearning.com

Headphones and Listening Centers – 20% Off!

State-of-the-Art Audiovisual Equipment from Brodart!

From the library to the classroom to the language lab, Brodart offers a wide selection of audio-visual equipment from the top names in the industry, such as Telex ®, Hamilton ™ and Calfone ®.

Brodart’s AV selection includes stereo headphones, headphones with or without volume control, and USB headphones that eliminate the need for a sound card. Listening Centers are available in a variety of applications, from those designed for small groups to centers powerful enough to project to 100 people. And most systems come with convenient storage and portable carry case capabilities.

Check out our selection of Hamilton ™ products with ASM ™ technology that allows 100% compatibility with any audio source. And Hamilton’s ™ new Multi-Channel Wireless System features headsets and transmitters that are each pre-set with four frequencies.

See our complete selection of Headphones and Listening Centers on pages 315 to 323 in our 2006 catalog or go online at www.shopbrodart.com.

For more information on products and services for MiCTA members from Brodart:

Call: 1-800-233-8467 ext. 4338

Click: www.shopbrodart.com/pricing/micta/

Fax: 1-800-578-1064

E-Mail: supplies.quotes@brodart.com

Desire2Learn, a MiCTA endorsed vendor, unveils business continuity services

SYNOPSIS: Desire2Learn unveiled a new Business Continuity Service to provide clients with a proactive management approach for addressing challenges to mission critical IT applications.

Kitchener-Waterloo, ON, October 18, 2006 — Desire2Learn, a world-leading provider of enterprise eLearning solutions today announced the unveiling of Desire2Learn’s Business Continuity Services. Desire2Learn Hosted Services continues to build upon its mission critical infrastructure to provide maximum uptime for hosted clients. This addresses the need for quick recovery in the event of a disaster.

“We are very pleased to unveil Desire2Learn’s Business Continuity Services,” states John Baker, Desire2Learn President & CEO. “Already we have seen a great response from our early adopters, as the service minimizes down time in the event of a natural disaster. Our clients wanted an ‘always available’ system for their students, faculty and administrators, and as a result, our Business Continuity Service will deliver meaningful, visible benefits to education.”

This offsite data replication strategy ensures that client data is replicated and stored in four different areas at all time ranging from online, near online, and offline storage By leveraging off-site data replication Desire2Learn can initiate a set of failover conditions that allow for an entire application instance to be brought online at a secondary facility based on a predetermined timeline.

This offering provides peace of mind for senior leaders, administrators and students knowing that Desire2Learn understands the business needs of clients, and that business continuity can be realized even in the event of a disaster. To learn more about how Desire2Learn’s Business Continuity Service can assist your organization please visit: www.Desire2Learn.com.

About Desire2Learn

Desire2Learn Inc. is a world-leading provider of enterprise eLearning systems that enable organizations to create teaching and learning environments that reflect their vision, values, goals, pedagogical approaches, and branding. Desire2Learn supports over 4 million learners worldwide and clients include schools, higher education, as well as associations, government, and other leading organizations. For more information, please visit: http://www.Desire2Learn.com.

MiCTA Endorsed Desire2learnAnnounces FUSION 2007 -- Fourth Annual Users Conference to be held in Duluth, Minnesota

SYNOPSIS: The Fourth Annual Desire2Learn Users Conference, FUSION 2007, will be held in the scenic resort destination of Duluth, Minnesota from July 8-11 th, 2007.

Kitchener-Waterloo, ON, October 24 th, 2006 — Desire2Learn, a world-leading provider of enterprise eLearning solutions announced today that its Fourth Annual Users Conference, FUSION 2007, will be held in Duluth Minnesota, July 8-11 th, 2007. The main sessions will be held at the Duluth Convention Center co-hosted by Lake Superior College and University of Wisconsin-Superior. With hundreds of organizations using Desire2Learn, there is tremendous value in bringing clients together to share ideas, learn, collaborate and build supportive communities with other Desire2Learn users.

"We are thrilled to be hosting the 2007 Desire2Learn User Conference in the Duluth/Superior area next July. The faculty and staff of Lake Superior College and the University of Wisconsin-Superior are committed to making this the best Desire2Learn conference ever,” says Barry Dahl, V.P of Technology & Virtual Campus, Lake Superior College. “The natural beauty of the Duluth/Superior area provides another great reason for Desire2Learn users to attend the conference this year. We encourage everyone to add some extra days to the beginning or end of the conference to enjoy the Lake Superior region in Minnesota and Wisconsin."

FUSION 2007 will feature an estimated 60 user-led sessions and post conference training workshops, highlighting best practices and innovations to enhance teaching and learning through the use of Desire2Learn eLearning solutions. Conference attendees will have unique opportunities to network with peers from across North America and beyond, meet with key teams at Desire2Learn and help guide the future direction of Desire2Learn’s products and services.

“Desire2Learn is excited to host FUSION 2007 in the resort destination of Duluth, Minnesota in partnership with Lake Superior College and University of Wisconsin Superior,” states John Baker, Desire2Learn President & CEO. “The goal of Desire2Learn’s Users Conference is to facilitate a forum for our user community to come together to exchange ideas, best practices and philosophies, and to enhance teaching and learning at large.”

For additional information regarding the Desire2Learn’s 2007 Users Conference please visit: www.Desire2Learn.com or email FUSION2007@Desire2Learn.com. For additional information about the scenic wonder and natural beauty of Duluth, Minnesota please visit: http://www.visitduluth.com/.

About Lake Superior College

LSC offers extensive pre-baccalaureate majors for students interested in transferring to senior educational institutions as well as over 75 certificate, diploma and degree programs in career/technical fields. Our Continuing Education/Customized Training division collaborates extensively with area businesses and industry to design specialized opportunities for entry-level and advanced education. While typically offered in traditional classroom and lab settings, LSC also offers over 150 courses in an individualized learning format, through interactive television, and through the internet. For further information visit: www.lsc.edu/.

About University of Wisconsin-Superior

Designated as Wisconsin 's Leading Public Liberal Arts College, UW-Superior is a four-year university offering a challenging liberal arts education combined with solid professional training. We do that by focusing on our strengths: Small classes, one-on-one contact with professors, an emphasis on active learning, and a supportive environment. Since 1978, UW-Superior 's Distance Learning programs have provided flexible baccalaureate degree completion opportunities for adult learners. For further information visit : http://www.uwsuper.edu/.

Save more with McLeodUSA’s promotions

McLeodUSA believes in treating you better than any telecommunications company has before. In addition to our low rates and special discounts for MiCTA members, we are offering you even more savings with the following promotions.*

PRIme Promotional Offering is available through December 31, 2006, for new or existing non-wholesale MiCTA members. Standard business rules regarding renewals for existing customers apply.

MiCTA members may receive the following promotions:

Up to 50% promotional MiCTA pricing for:

Local T1/PRI

Private Line

Dedicated Access Line

Integrated Access

Dynamic Integrated Access (VoIP)

Dedicated Internet

Managed Dedicated Internet

IP/VPN

Take a month – or two – on us:

As a McLeodUSA customer, you will benefit from our exclusive StarQuality® Certified Customer Service and 99.999% network reliability. From now until December 29, 2006, you can earn up to two free months of service. Simply purchase a qualified circuit-based product for a minimum term of 24 or 36 months and you receive your 13th month free (with a 24-month term) or your 13th and 26th months free (with a 36-month term).**

Call 877- 34MiCTA (877.346.4282) for complete details.

*Preferred Advantage® Dedicated Local T1/PRI is a local T1/PRI product provisioned from either the McLeodUSA or the Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC) local switch to the customer premise using a transport facility of DS1 or higher, providing access to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The DS1 facility terminates to the customer Private Branch Exchange (PBX) or Key system through a customer-provided DTI (Digital Trunk Interface) card or channel bank. Contract term of 24 months or longer is required. PRI service is not available in all areas.

**For the free month(s), customer will receive a credit totaling the average of the previous 12 months of billed service for the “Month On Us” promotion . Each month is defined as a billing period. Customer will receive the credit on the 13th invoice for 24-month term agreements and on the 13th and 26th invoices for 36-month agreements. This promotion is effective through September 30, 2006. Paperwork must be signed and dated by December 29, 2006 to be eligible for the promotion. Other rules and restrictions apply

Feel free to click this link to see the discounted pricing on the HP Compaq Business Notebook nx6325, the Lenovo ThinkPad R60 9461, the Hp L1706 - flat panel display, and a fujifilm FinePix A500 digital camera. If you have any additional questions make sure to call John Ricciani at 800-721-8345 x-7502 , or email him at jricciani@techdepot.com

VSGi has redesigned its website to serve YOU better!

What's New? :

• MiCTA customer? Go to your own MiCTA section to learn more about the VSGi partnership...
• New, more intuitive navigation — Get to where you want to go in 3 clicks or less!
• A redesidned Solutions section that categorizes products by a particular industry... what's yours?
• A brand-new Support section that offers various resources, such as: Glossary of Terms, Technical FAQs, VSGi Platinum-only customer contact form.
• A state-of-the-art search engine that recognizes typos and offers suggestions to what you might be looking for.
• New Flash movies on the home page that highlight the various VSGi offerings: Market Solutions, AV Integration & Managed Services.

So, there's only one question left to answer...
HOW DO YOU COMMUNICATE?

Just for fun

1) Which of these countries has a border with Spain only?

A. Morocco
B. Andorra
C. France
D. Portugal

2) True or false: Australia has no landlocked states or territories.

A. True
B. False

3) The United States is obviously divided up into states, and most states are sub-divided into counties. However, one state is divided up into 'parishes', which one is it?

A. Louisiana
B. Alaska
C. Utah
D. Maine

4) It is the function of a coroner to conduct inquiries into all deaths which are not natural or expected. However, originally the job of coroner was to perform which of the following functions?

A.Safeguarding the monarch's property
B.Tax collector
C. Trying felony cases
D. All the choices are correct

For answers to "Just for Fun", please visit the Members' homepage.

PREVIOUS MICTA ALERTS

• October 2006

• September 2006

• August 2006

• July 2006

• June 2006

Alert Index