September 14, 1998

SUBJECT: PLATO Developmental/WorkSkills Software Package

The Board of Trustees consider the recommendation of Administration to purchase the PLATO Developmental/ WorkSkills Package from TRO Learning, Inc.

This item is consistent with Board Policy C-10: Purchasing and Board Directive #6: Technology.

TRO Learning is the manufacturer and sole provider of the PLATO Developmental/WorkSkills Package. This software package provides curriculum alignments to TASP, WorkKeys, GED, TEKS, CASAS, ACT COMPASS, Pre-employability Skills Standards, and Occupational Skills Standards.

Funds are included in the FY99 Operating Budget to pay the year one installment. Three-year financing through a municipal lease with Government Capital Corporation:

Year one, September 30, 1998 $ 92,000.00

Year two, September 30, 1999 $ 98,000.00

Year three, September 30, 2000 $ 98,000.00

Total Payments $288,000.00

This reflects $276,300 for courseware, professional services and staging and $11,700 for interest.

RESOURCE PERSONNEL
Frank Friedman, Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs
Jerry Miller, Vice President for Business Services

ATTACHMENTS
Description of Terms
PLATO Courseware Listing

Description of Terms

Attachment to "Client Order Form" from TRO Learning, Inc. (PLATO) for Austin Community College (ACC)

1) The 33 licenses of PLATO that Austin CC currently owns, which vary in courseware and Management Systems, will be upgraded to include the latest courseware enhancements as well as the new courseware described on Attachment B.

2) The college may allocate these licenses in any manner. In other terms, you may install PLATO on as many computer workstations with the limitation on 233 concurrent users at one time. ACC has the right to add/remove workstations at your discretion anytime.

3) The financing of this agreement will be with Government Capital Corporation as a municipal lease.

4) Payment terms:

Year one, Sept. 30, 1998 $92,000.00 Year two, Sept. 30, 1999 $98,000.00 Year three, Sept. 30, 2000 $98,000.00

Total payments $288,000.00

This reflects $276,300 for courseware, professional services and staging and $11,700 is interest.

5) In addition to the above mentioned products and services, TRO will donate a new Pentlure 266 mhz file server with 9 gigabyte hard drive, 126 MB RAM and 12xSCSI CDROM.

6) TRO=s Software Support Program will be provided for no additional charges for Year One for the 233 licenses. Annual SSP beginning Year Two will be $18,000. These annual charges are optional by Austin Community College.

Developmental/WorkSkills PLATO Package

Math Fundamentals
Pre-Algebra
Beginning Algebra
Intermediate Algebra
Geometry & Measurement 1
Geometry & Measurement 2
Advanced Algebra
Trigonometry
Reading 1
Reading 2
Reading 3 (Advanced Reading Strategies)
Writing Series
Social Studies
Science Fundamentals
Life & Job Skills
Data Skills
Quality Fundamentals
Applied Math
Communication
Reading For Information
Writing In The Workplace
Technology Fundamentals
The Employment Partnership (to be released 12/98)
Math Problem Solving (to be released 3/99)

Curriculum alignments to:
TASP
WorkKeys
GED
TEKS
CASAS
ACT Compass
Pre-employability Skills Standards
Occupational Skills Standards

AUSTINAT, 08/27/98