Life Fundamental$ Innovative Teaching Grants 2008-2009

Grants Program for K-12 Economic, Entrepreneurship and Personal Finance Education

Deadline for Submission: January 30, 2009

Partners:

Kentucky Council on Economic Education

Kentucky Office of Financial Institutions

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis-Louisville Branch

Citizens Union Bank

First Farmers Bank

Life Fundamental$ Innovative Teaching Grantssupport teachers in designing innovative and engaging economic, entrepreneurship and personal finance education projects/programs with high quality classroom resources.

KCEE will manage the Life Fundamental$ Innovative Teaching Grants on behalf of all the partners. Grants will be awarded in districts designated by our partners up to the amount in the total pool of funds. All proposals will be scored using the attached scoring guide and the judges will determine the grant recipients.

KCEE is a non-profit statewide organization that enables teachers (K-12) to integrate the teaching of economics and personal finance across the curriculum to prepare students to become effective workers, wise consumers, savers, investors, voting citizens, and participants in a global society.

Grant Awards

The amount of each individual teacher award will not exceed $300. A team or group of teachers from the same school may request up to $500. Each individual or team may submit only one proposal. Only one individual or one team grant will be award per school. Funds may be requested for the purchase of curricula and other project materials for classroom use only. Consumables for the project should be limited to 50% of the total grant request. If Stock Market Game program is part of the project, no more than 50% of the total grant request can be for team fees. Computer hardware, audio-visual equipment, and field trip expenses may not be included in the budget.This is the 3rd Wave of grants. Projects will not be accepted during this wave that consist of the students setting up a store.

Teacher/School Eligibility

Any K-12 teacher in a public or private (not-for-profit) school is eligible. Grants will be awarded to the teacher’s

(orgroup of teachers’) school and will be restricted for use by the teacher/teachers in their respective classroom.

Proposal Specifications:

  • Proposals must enable the implementation of an innovative, engaging curricular project and be replicable.
  • Projects must incorporate core content for economics and/or financial literacy. Integration of KCEE’s programs (i.e. Stock Market Game), other curriculum (i.e. math), and technology is strongly encouraged.
  • Projects must occur between January, 2009 – April 15, 2009.
  • Projects must be completed by April 15th so that a project final report can be submitted by April 30th.
  • Projects should take place over at least four class sessions.
  • Projects should not be based solely on the purchase of a pre-packaged kit.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Visit view catalog of suggested high quality classroom resources.

SUBMISSION PROCEDURES:

  • Send one electronic version (including the cover) sheet via email to by January 30, 2009..
  • Provide identifying information on the Cover Sheet ONLY. DO NOT refer to your school by name or include any other identifying information on the proposal itself. Any such identification will DISQUALIFY your application.

TIMELINE

January 30, 2009Deadline for Proposals

February 1-10, 2009Judges Review Proposals

January 15, 2009Applicants Notified of the Status of Proposals

*checks mailed to school by January 18, 2009

January 2009 – April 15, 2009Project can take place at any time during this time period

April 30, 2009Summary Report Due

REPORTING

A summary report of the implementation of the project and verification of grant expenditures is required by April 30, 2009. The lead teacher will receive a $100 stipend for completing the report by the deadline.

NEED HELP?

Please call the Kentucky Council on Economic Education @ 502.267.3570 (1-800-I-DO-ECON) or email for answers to questions about your proposal.

LifeFundamental$ Innovative Teaching Grants

2008-09

Cover Sheet for Grant Proposal

Please type the information requested below using a 10-point font.

*If more than one teacher is applying for the grant, list all other teachers’ names below the lead teacher.

The lead teacher is in charge of the program grant. All correspondence will be sent to this person.

*Lead Teacher (Title, First Name, Last Name) / Lead Teacher E-mail Address
Enter Teacher #2 (Title, First Name, Last Name) / Teacher #2 E-mail Address
Enter Teacher #3 (Title, First Name, Last Name) / Teacher #3 E-mail Address
Enter Teacher #4 (Title, First Name,Last Name) / Teacher #4 E-mail Address
School Name
Address
City / State / Zip Code
School Phone # / School Fax #
School Principal (Title, First Name, Last Name) / Principal’s Phone#
Project Title
Project Grade(s) / No. of Children Involved / Project Start Date
(no earlier than 10/15/08) / Project End Date
(no later than 4/15/09)

Certification

 I, the lead teacher, certify that this proposal is original and it supports the implementation of a project

that is based on my school’s curriculum. I will fully implement the project between January 30, 2009 and April

15, 2009. I will submit to the Kentucky Council on Economic Education a summary report of the project

implementation on the appropriate form by April 30, 2009.

I understand that the project/program will become the property of the Kentucky Council on Economic Education

and may be published on the KCEE website.

Lead Teacher’s Name______Date______

 I, the principal, have reviewed this proposal requesting grant funds from the Kentucky Council on Economic Education.

I certify that it is based on the curriculum of our school, and I will support its implementation.

Principal’s Name______Date______

Please check one below:

_____ I teach at a public school; or

_____ I teach at an eligible private or parochial school. Private school teachers must attach an IRS 501(c)(3) tax exemption letter or qualifying state tax exemption notice to the application. Applications without this documentation cannot be accepted.

Life Fundamental$ Innovative Teaching Grants

2008-09

Grant Proposal

The grant proposal form is a word document. Please type proposals in a minimum of 10-point font

in the space provided.

  • Project Overview (5 points)

Please provide a clear and concise overview of the project, including measurable objectives and project activities linked to the objectives. Include the project title, grade level(s), number of students participating, the length of the project and the estimated date(s) of implementation (limit response to 400 words or less)

  • Project Timeline (5 points)

Please provide an estimated timeline to fit the requirements of the grant (January 30, 2009 – April 15, 2009).

Also include an approximate date/time that a representative from the partners could come and view the project in action.

  • Method of Evaluation (5 points)

Please provide a clear and concise description of how the objectives of the project will be measured. Pre/post tests are available on KCEE website ( or you may create your own. (limit response to 400 words or less)

Project Budget and Rationale (5 points + *additional 5 points possible)

List items to be purchased and costs.

ITEM
(*An additional 5 points are awarded on the scoring guide for ordering materials from the KCEE Catalog). / KCEE Catalog
Item #
(if applicable) / Cost
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. / + 10% Shipping
Total Request (may not exceed $300 or $500/team)

Please summarize why the items in the proposed budget are necessary to achieve the proposed objectives. (limit response to 400 words or less)

  • Methods of Engaging and Innovative Instruction (10 points)

Please provide a clear statement of how the project is engaging (how it focuses on hands-on learning and is likely to cause a high level of interest and involvement among students. Also provide a clear statement of how the project is innovative (how it distinguishes itself by introducing unique, new or different instructional methods designed to actively involve students in the learning process to increase student learning. (limit response to 400 words or less)

SCORING GUIDE - JUDGES REVIEW OF LIFE FUNDAMENTAL$ GRANT PROPOSAL

Date Reviewed______Reviewer # ______Score ______/35

Points / Circle the appropriate number of points in each box and write it in the first column. Provide explanation in the descriptor box if necessary.
Project Overview
The proposal includes a clear and concise overview of the project including measurable project objectivesand project activities linked to the objectives.
POINTS 5 4 3 2 1
Project Timeline
The proposal provides an estimated timeline to fit the requirements of the grant (January 1 – April 15, 2009).
POINTS 5 4 3 2 1
Method of Evaluation
The proposal includes a clear and concise description of how the objectives of the project will be measured.
POINTS 5 4 3 2 1
Project Budget and Rationale
Based on instructions given, the budget proposal is itemized, complete and correct and provides a clear and concise statement of why the items in the proposed budget are necessary to achieve the proposed objectives.
POINTS 5 4 3 2 1
KCEE Resources
The proposal integrates curricula from the KCEE catalog.
POINTS 5 4 3 2 1
Methods of Engaging and Innovative Instruction
Taken as a whole, the proposal
  • distinguishes itself by introducing unique, new or different instructional methods designed to actively involve students in the learning process and to increase student learning.
  • indicates a high probability of stimulating a high level of interest and involvement among students through a focus on hands-on, active learning.
POINTS 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
TOTAL POINTS

CRITERIA

The following criteria will be significantin determining successful proposals:

Clarity. Does this project description make sense? The proposal must be written so the reader has a clear understanding of the project activities, goals, material needs and evaluation components.

Completeness. The application must adhere to the guidelines and provide all of the requested information.

Timeline. Can the project be completed in the time allotted? In order to achieve its objectives within the suggested implementation dates, the project description must be reasonable in scope.

Evaluation. The proposed project must demonstrate an evaluation component that will present clear educational outcomes to be discussed in the final project report.

Cost Effectiveness. Are the project materials excessive in cost or number requested? The project cost should appear reasonable and appropriate for the activities and outcomes described.

Creativity. To what extent is this an innovative approach? The proposed project must demonstrate an effort to engage young people in hands-on learning in ways that enhance the current curriculum.

Impact. The project should be challenging and should actively engage students in a positive learning experience.

SUMMARY REPORT FORM

LIFE FUNDAMENTAL$ AWARDS 2008-2009

(Due by April 30, 2009)

Itemized Expenditures

ITEM / AMOUNT BUDGETED / ACTUAL EXPENDITURE
Total Amount Awarded
Total Amount Spent
Total Amount Not Spent
to be Returned to KCEE (if any)
  1. Describe how the items funded assisted in implementing the project.
  1. Describe what your students learned during this unit.
  1. Explain what advice you would give another teacher who plans to implement this unit.
  1. Please include with your report, any publicity concerning the project/program.