Delaware College Access Challenge Sub-Grant-Targeted Intervention for College Ready Students

Background

The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) is seeking applications from schools/school districts that are willing to scale or create programs to mentor and guide seniors in the college application, financial aid and transition to college process. This grant will be considered a sub-grant of the College Access Challenge Grant. All funds must be encumbered by August 1, 2014.

The programs must target college ready seniors (students receiving College Board information packets in October 2013) at schools not participating in the Delaware Higher Education Office’s sponsored College Application Month activities (see below for a list a eligible schools). All programs must be implemented before August 2014. Schools, local education agencies and/or third-party organizations are eligible to apply.

The Delaware schools/school districts selected will be those that can demonstrate through the application their readiness to implement research-based practices to support college ready students in applying and enrolling in college. The Delaware schools/school districts selected may partner with community organizations to assist with providing supports to students and parents. These schools/school districts will implement programs that ensure all college ready students apply and enroll in college. Applicants showing the capacity to scale their programs in future schools will be strongly considered. Selected applicants will be asked to report on progress data as indicated in the selection criteria monthly from December 1, 2013-October 31, 2014. Total funding to be allocated for all selected programs is $230,000.

All applications are due no later than 5:00pm EST on Monday, November 11, 2013 to the DDOE Higher Education Office.

Selected schools/school districts will be funded through August 1, 2014. This grant will be based on the following timeline:

  1. Applications will be due to DDOE on or before 5pm, Wednesday, November 11, 2013.
  2. Awards will be announced no later than Wednesday, November 20, 2013.
  3. Selected applicants must encumber the funds by August 1, 2014 and liquidate funds by November 1, 2014.

Selection criteria (grouped by district):

The selection of the programs will be made by DDOE based on an application that will answer the following questions. Applications should be no longer than 3 pages in length. All applications for grants shall receive a specific numerical score from the panel of persons assigned by the Department to rate the applications. Those programs receiving the top possible scores shall receive grants to the extent that funds are available. Priority for awards will be given to schools not participating in the College Application Month activities through the Delaware Higher Education Office. Scoring shall be done on formal score sheets.

Quality of proposed program model (zero to 20 points)

What is the proposed support model for the participating students? What research supports the proposed structure? What will be the evidence of success for the program?

A proposed model that is not based on research proven best practices and is not likely to enable to students to enroll in college should receive zero points under this measure. A proposed model that uses research to inform its model, but does not adequately explain how success will be measured and achieved should receive 5 points under the measure. A proposed model that uses research to inform its model and demonstrates the ability to measure and achieve success shall receive fifteen points under this measure. The Department shall have the discretion to award up to five additional points for proposed models that have exceptional features that the Department can articulate.

Immediate and Maximum Impact (zero to 20 points)

How will this proposed model ensure immediate and maximum impact targeting seniors demonstrating college readiness? How does the proposed model demonstrate ability to address financial, social and/or environmental obstacles that may impede successful college enrollment?

A proposed model that does not show evidence of immediate and maximum impact through its ability to address financial, social and/or environmental obstacles that may impede successful college enrollment should receive zero points under this measure. A proposed model that shows evidence of impact, but does not adequately show how it will address financial, social and/or environmental obstacles that may impede successful college enrollment should receive 5 points under the measure. A proposed model that shows immediate impact and evidence of how it will address one or more, but not all three identified obstacles impeding successful college enrollment: financial, social and/or environmental shall receive ten points under this measure. A proposed model that shows immediate impact and evidence of how it will addresses all three identified obstacles impeding successful college enrollment: financial, social and/or environmental shall receive fifteen points under this measure.

Target college ready students(additional zero to 10 points)

How will the proposed model incorporate seniors demonstrating college readiness? How will the proposed model ensure successful college enrollment for seniors demonstrating college readiness?

A proposed model that does not demonstrate how it will target students in any way and/or does not demonstrate the ability to ensure successful college enrollment for senior participants shall receive zero points under this measure. A proposed model that shows evidence of targeting seniors that demonstrate college readiness shall receive five points under this measure. A proposed model that shows evidence of ensuring successful college enrollment for seniors demonstrating college readiness shall receive ten points under this measure.

Target participation by students from diverse backgrounds (zero to 10 points)

Does the proposed model encourage students from diverse backgrounds, including students with disabilities, low-income students, African-American students, Hispanic and ESL students, to participate in the program?

A proposed model that does not specifically describe any efforts that will be made to encourage participation by students from diverse backgrounds should receive zero points under this measure. A proposed model that shows participation of students from diverse backgrounds, including students with disabilities, students from low-income households, African-American students, Hispanic students, and/or ESL students to participate in the program shall receive five points under this measure. A proposed model that proposes specific and credible recruitment efforts to ensure participation of students from diverse backgrounds, including students with disabilities, students from low-income households, African-American students, Hispanic students, and/or ESL students shall receive ten points under this measure.

Grant Evaluation Rubric

Exceeds the standard / Meets the standard / Approaches the standard / Below the standard
Quality of proposed program model (zero to 20 points) / Proposed model with exceptional features
Up to 5 additional points / Proposed model that uses research to inform its model and demonstrates the ability to measure and achieve success
15 points / Proposed model that uses research to inform its model, but does not adequately explain how success will be measured and achieved
5 points / Proposed model that is not based on research proven best practices and is not likely to enable to students to enroll in college
0 points
Immediate and Maximum Impact (zero to 15 points) / Proposed model that shows immediate impact and evidence of how it will addresses all three identified obstacles impeding successful college enrollment: financial, social and/or environmental
15 points / Proposed model that shows immediate impact and evidence of how it will address one or more, but not all three identified obstacles impeding successful college enrollment: financial, social and/or environmental
5 points / Proposed model that does not show evidence of immediate and maximum impact through its ability to address financial, social and/or environmental obstacles that may impede successful college enrollment
0 points
Target college ready students (zero to 10 points) / Proposed model that shows evidence of ensuring successful college enrollment for seniors demonstrating college readiness
10 points / Proposed model that shows evidence of targeting seniors that demonstrate college readiness
5 points / Proposed model that does not demonstrate how it will target students in any way and/or does not demonstrate the ability to ensure successful college enrollment for senior participants
0 points
Target participation from diverse backgrounds (zero to 10 points) / Proposed model that proposes specific and credible recruitment efforts to ensure participation of students from diverse backgrounds, including students with disabilities, students from low-income households, African-American students, Hispanic students, and/or ESL students
10 points / Proposed model that shows participation of students from diverse backgrounds, including students with disabilities, students from low-income households, African-American students, Hispanic students, and/or ESL students to participate in the program
5 points / Proposed model that does not specifically describe any efforts that will be made to encourage participation by students from diverse backgrounds
0 points
Total

All applications are due no later than 5:00pm EST on Monday, November 11, 2013 to the DDOE Higher Education Office. The DDOE contact person for this grant is Shana Payne, Director, Delaware Higher Education Office, or 302 735 4120. A blank excel proposed budget information sheet with instructions is included below.