1. ALEDO EDUCATION FOUNDATION INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL GRANTS 2014-15

2. The Aledo ISD Education Foundation (AEF) is making grants available to individuals or teams of individuals employed by AISD to support innovative programs or projects to support higher levels of student learning.

3. Innovative teaching grants are designed to encourage, facilitate, recognize and reward innovative and creative instructional approaches.

4. The Grant must enhance student academic performance and support the goals and initiatives of the Campus and District.

5. You may apply as an individual for a grant up to $2500.00 OR You may apply as a campus team, department, or for a district initiated program or project for up to $7500.00 ALEDO ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION

6. THERE ARE NO SET NUMBER OF GRANTS TO BE AWARDED. THE NUMBER OF AWARDS WILL DEPEND ON THE FUNDS AVAILABLE FROM THE AEF.

7. Grants will be evaluated using a rubric. Criteria are: The area of need is clearly stated, substantiated by data, and supports district/campus goals. Objectives are specifically stated and measurable. Activities/procedures are specific and relate to the purpose and objectives. Evaluation procedures are sound, clear, and relevant to the objectives and student performance. Budget is complete, realistic, accurate and appropriate. Project includes participation and support of parents, community, and/or business partners. Student academic performance is emphasized. A creative or innovative approach is evident in accomplishing the objectives.

8. REMEMBER: Funds are not available: For recurring programs/projects. The proposed grant should address a new project. For items typically purchased using District, State, or Federal funding. For stand alone teacher/training/development items.

9. Grants may be for instructional or classroom materials, parent involvement programs, or any activity or material which supports higher levels of student academic achievement.

10. Grant applications and budgets need to include any necessary teacher / staff training costs that will be required in order to implement the grant.

11. SELECTION PROCESS

12. 1) Obtain and complete the grant from the Aledo Education Foundation Web page www.aledoef.org. 2) Have the grant reviewed, approved, and signed by the campus principal. 3) Scan your signed application and email to Lynn McKinney at lmckinney@aledo.k12.tx.us by noon November 14, 2014. No late submissions will be accepted. You will receive an email confirmation. lmckinney@aledo.k12.tx.us 4) Applications will be numbered once received. 5) Applications will be reviewed by a committee of Foundation Members and a Central Office Administrative Review Team.

13. 6) The applications recommended for approval will be presented to the AEF Board Of Directors on December 8, 2014. 7) After receiving AEF Board approval, the applications will be presented to the Aledo ISD School Board on December 15, 2014 for formal acceptance of the grant funds. 8) Grant recipients will be notified during the Spring Semester. Remember: Submit your grant electronically to Lynn McKinney. Late applications will not be accepted – Due date is noon on November 14, 2014!

14. GRANT WRITING TIPS

15. Need: an underlying deficiency, something that students or a community are lacking. Solution: the program or materials that will be used to address the underlying need. Ex. Enhanced curriculum, computers, etc.

16. IDENTIFYING NEED Analyze Your Data: District / School / Classroom-level Data - Test Scores, Student Growth, Benchmarks, Attendance, Free/Reduced Lunch Eligibility, etc. Survey of Students / Families/ Teachers Student Behavior Needs (Be sure to save your data so you can document it in the application).

17. After identifying your need, brainstorm what programs, projects, or materials would help you address that need. Look to where the need is pointing, not just the latest and greatest fad in education.

18. THE PROBLEM MUST ANSWER 2 QUESTIONS… 1. WHAT IS THE SITUATION YOUR GRANT WILL ADDRESS OR SERVICE AREA THAT CONCERNS YOU? 2. WHY DOES IT MATTER – WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE? The problem is at the heart of the grant proposal. Communicate the need to maximize impact.

19. COMPONENTS OF A GRANT PROPOSAL Statement of Need: Describe the facts and data about your program /school or classroom that demonstrates your need for this project. Describe what area of student achievement will be addressed. Ex: Share specific data: 25 % of the students were not successful in the area of double digit division. Relate to the TEKS or areas of student assessment, tie it to the campus plan. Project Description: Tell the story of exactly what your project will look like with as much detail as possible. How many students? What will they do? Give a timeline. Ex. How will you do it? What are your steps / activities? How long will each step / activity take place? Paint your vision. Objectives: State your objective in terms of student behavior or performance. Ex. Increase student test scores by 5 percent on Reading test xyz. Students will incorporate video studies into a webpage and video capture still images for inclusion into a portfolio. * Remember: Many of the members of the Grant Review Committee will not be educators. Be sure to define all acronyms and avoid educational jargon.

20. Budget: Tell them in detail how you will spend every cent of their money. e.g.10 boxes of crayons @ 1.00 - $10.00 – Walmart 5 packs of paper @ $0.05 - $2.50 – Office Max 5 packs of stickers @ $0.050 - $2.50 – Michaels Please be as accurate as possible and be sure to include incidental charges such as shipping and handling. Evaluation: Specifically identify what data you will collect and analyze to measure achievement of your objectives / goals. How will you share your program’s successes with your peers? Will you measure success with surveys, statistics, observations? Ex: We will reduce the failure rate by 25 percent of the student participants by the end of the semester. Partners: Identify your school and or community partners and what role they will play. Ex: Two business partners, companies A & B will each co- sponsor event by providing a minimum of two volunteers Components Continued ….

21. POST-AWARD PROCESSES Send a thank you note to the foundation funders. Take photos, make a webpage or a video and share the grant results to provide a window to the community.