United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI) is expanding its investment in education by making available Student Success Grants to help high-need students in Central Indiana. The Student Success Grant was created to help foster dramatic student growth and school turnaround, and this year the field of eligible candidates has been expanded to include charter schools and child care centers. The grant was created with the intention for schools to have the flexibility to depart from traditional district or center policies in order to be successful. The grants reward innovative reforms that are driven by teachers and principals who have been given autonomy and superintendent or school board approval to implement evidence-based improvement strategies. Applications must cite research-based evidence supporting strategies and outcomes and clearly identify how success will be measured.
Grants may be for one to three years and range from $50,000 to $750,000 out of a total grant pool of $750,000. Eligible applicants must meet these criteria:
- Serve Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion and Morgan counties.
- Have less than 75% of their students passing the Indiana State ISTEP Math and ELA assessments.
- Have at least 30% of their students on the free and reduced price lunch program.
- For child care centers must be non-profits and operating at Levels 3 or 4 on Paths to QUALITY™.
- Child care centers must also have 30% of their students participate in the Child and Adult Care Food program.
United Way will also consider applications from a consortium of schools meeting these eligibility criteria. Private schools are not eligible. Grant proposals must be submitted by January 16, 2014, and recipients will be announced March 27, 2014.
In April, UWCI’s first Student Success Grants were awarded to: Sunnyside Elementary in Lawrence Township to fund an extended school day for 300 English learners, professional development for teachers and support for families; Snacks Crossing in Pike Township to help a large English learner and Special Education population improve performance; and, The Center For Inquiry III at IPS 27 to help the school become an International Baccalaureate World School where students take greater responsibility for their own learning and behavior. For more information on this grant opportunity, click here.
Transform Consulting Group recognizes the link between successful school turnaround and high quality, evidence based reform. We can help you identify resources and write compelling grant proposals. Contact Transform Consulting Group today to learn more!
