Learning Forward Team Grant

The Learning Forward Team grant supports team-based projects(grade level, school, and district leadership teams) in an effort to advance Learning Forward’s Standards for Professional Learning and Learning Forward’s purpose: Excellent teaching and learning every day.The two-year grant amount is up to $10,000 to support achievement of a challenging goal aligned with the above purpose and may include three registration fees for the Learning annual conferences for team members. (See a more detailed summary outlining the Learning Forward Team Grant attached to the end of this application.)

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: April 15, 2015

SECTION I: APPLICANT INFORMATION

Fill in Word document electronically or type or print clearly on hard copy of form.

Applicant Name______

Street Address ______

City______State______Zip______

Affiliate

School/ District______

School Address ______

City______State______Zip______

Position______

Telephone (Home)______(Work)______(Cell)______

E-mail Address______Fax______

Learning Forward Membership Number ______How many years? ______

Preference will be given to members of Learning Forward in selecting a scholarship winner if all other things are equal.

SECTION II: PROPOSAL

Refer to attached Learning Forward Scholarship and Grant Application Scoring Rubric for guidance.

  1. What do you want to accomplish through this scholarship or grant? What is your vision for professional learning? What is your goal for the project? (Clearly articulated goals are your desired results that are specific, measurable, and needs-based.) Please identify the number of team members in each team and the number of students that will benefit from the professional learning.
  1. Why do you wish to accomplish this goal? What data or evidence on student or staff learning assisted you in identifying your goal?
  1. What actions will you take to accomplish your goal? What Standards for Professional Learning and/or research informed these decisions (see the list of resources in the overview)? How will you engage with the cycle of continuous learning? Complete the attached Action Plan Template.
  1. How will the grant money support your action plan? How will your district/organization support you? Complete the attached Budget Plan Template.
  1. What evidence will demonstrate the goal has been accomplished? As a result of spending this money, what changes will you see in behaviors for students and adults? (List specific behaviors you will see as a result of your work.) How will you document changes in adult practice that lead to increased student learning?How often will team members meet to collaborate on meeting the goals?
  1. What is the connection between the goals and the project you have described and increased student learning and achievement? How will the activities enhance both student and adult learning?

SECTION III: STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

Review and sign the attached Statement of Commitment

SECTION IV: LETTER OF SUPPORT

Application must be accompanied by a signed letter of support from the applicant’s chief executive or direct supervisor. The letter should indicate that the system endorses the proposal, supports the applicant’s continuous improvement efforts, and will provide fiscal support to pay travel and lodging expenses to required conferences. The letter must also indicate the supervisor’s agreement to provide necessary time to meet all requirements of the grant, including travel to conferences, an evaluation meeting and documentation requirements.

COMPLETED APPLICATIONS

Submit all application materials electronically. Send completed Word documents as attachments to e-mail messages to the Team Grant Learning Forward Foundation representative. Be sure to include your last name in any electronic file names.

Placement of your name on the signature line of this application constitutes your signature and commitment to these statements.

Send all of your application materials as attachment to e-mail messages to your contact for this grant:

Terry Morganti-Fisher

Phone: 512-695-4612

E-mail:

*If you do not receive confirmation of receipt of materials within 5 days, contact your foundation representative.

ACTION PLAN TEMPLATE

Name of Scholarship or Grant ______

Goal: (Stated in specific, behavioral format. Example: As a result of this grant, faculty meetings in our school will be transformed into professional learning experiences facilitated by our own staff.)

ACTION
(What?) / TIMELINE
(When complete?) / PERSON RESPONSIBLE
(Who?) / RESOURCES NEEDED / RESULTS ANTICIPATED
ex. Form study group to study job embedded PD / ex: Jan. – June2016 / ex: Jose Alvarez / ex: Books for each participant / ex: Understand and plan effective PD

BUDGET TEMPLATE

Name of Scholarship or Grant ______

EXPLANATION OF EXPENDITURE / ACTION THIS SUPPORTS FROM ACTION PLAN / UNIT COST / TOTAL
ex: Purchase books for participants / Step #1 – Book study group / $ 17. ea. / $ 204.

NOTE: If planning to use funds for registration for Learning Forward conferences, approximate cost is $450 for 3 days up to $700 for 5 days. Travel expenditures cannot be more than 10% of the total grant or scholarship budget.

STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

Purpose:This document describes the responsibilities and obligations of the applicant for the Learning Forward Foundation Team Grant. Please indicate your acceptance of these responsibilities by checking each box and signing the document at the end. The Statement of Commitment must be signed and submitted with the grant application.

Responsibilities – I will:

  • Maintain active membership status with Learning Forward during the two years of the grant.
  • Commit to an active role as a learner throughout the period of the grant.
  • Implement the project as described in the proposal including timelines and data collection.
  • Participate in, prepare and submit required formative reports of progress and expenditures, due at summer and winter conferences.
  • Maintain a log of significant events during the grant period to guide submission of reports and support discussions with the evaluation committee.
  • Participate in a summative evaluation based on evidence collected throughout the grant/scholarship process. (Final evaluation conversation will be conducted through a face-to-face meeting with an evaluation committee representative at the conclusion of the grant/scholarship.)
  • Complete an Annual Report that addresses project impact. This is a formative report and due November 15 before the first and second winter conferences. This will include meeting with the Learning Forward Foundation Board at an annual conference.
  • Regularly communicate with the Learning Forward Foundation contact assigned to the scholarship/grant.
  • Participate in three touchpoint conversations annually with a member of the Planning and Evaluation Committee
  • Submit photos, updates, and information as requested by the Learning Forward Foundation.
  • Submit a proposal to present at one of the Learning Forward conferences during the grant period.
  • Attend one annual Learning Forward conference.
  • Grant Learning Forward full access to proposals and work products to share for research and learning purposes.

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Signature of ApplicantDate