Tyler ISD Foundation

1. Tyler ISD Foundation Grants Program Guidelines for Grant Applications

2. Purpose of the Foundation The Tyler Independent School District Foundation provides resources toinspire learning, enrich teaching, and enhance opportunities for District students through the support of exemplary programs. The Tyler ISD Foundation Grant Program is designed to provide grants within the school district which meet the purpose of the Foundation.

3. Persons Eligible to Apply for Grants Individuals employed by Tyler ISD who are involved in the instruction of students or related support services benefiting students are eligible.

4. Grant Awards Grants of up to $1000 will be awarded to individual teacher-initiated programs or projects. Grants of up to $5000 will be awarded to campus teams, departments and district-initiated programs or projects. The number of awards will depend upon funds available from the Tyler ISD Foundation.

5. Responsibilities of Grant Recipients • Use the award for the purpose intended • Complete and submit a final evaluation report to the Tyler ISD Foundation at project’s end – available on the Tyler ISD Foundation website • Document activities(i.e. digital photos) for future use by the Foundation • Agree to share successful procedures in staff development

6. Selection Criteria • Proposals will be evaluated objectively. No identifiable information about the applicants will be given to the readers. • The selection process will be based on how clearly and logically each proposal is presented, including specificity of how success will be defined, instructional procedures, budget and timeline plans.

7. Selection Process • Applications must be reviewed and signed by principals or supervisors • Submit applications by 5 p.m. on Friday, September 24th. • Applications are reviewed by the Grant Application Review Committee • Applications will either be disapproved, disapproved with suggestions for resubmission, approved with conditions or approved. • Applicants will be notified of decisions in late October

8. Due Date The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m., Friday, September 24th.

9. Guidelines for Completing the Application • No smaller than 12 point font • No smaller than ½ inch margins • The only place your campus name should appear is on the Cover Page. Please do not use your campus name in the title of your grant, the description, rationale, evaluation, timeline or budget. • The project is appropriate if you can answer yes to the following questions: • Does it benefit the students you serve? • Can it be done in the time frame allowed? • Is it practical? • In the language clear, concise and easy for someone outside of education to understand?

10. Cover Sheet & Abstract • Print names clearly • Double-check spelling of names • Implementation Dates – Projects must have an ending • Signature of Principal or supervisor • Abstract – think of it as the summary for the project. If awarded, this will be used in press releases, etc.

11. Examples of an Abstract “Visualizing the Electric Field” will allow students access to a simulation that shows the interactions of charged particles. Learning through visualization techniques is a proven method of leaning that increases long term understanding. This project allows student access to computer simulation that will replicate the electric field. “Visualizing the Electric Field” – Lana Hood, Al Shirley Robert E. Lee High School Students hitch a ride on a dusty wagon train heading westward to begin a unique learning experience that transports then back to pre-industrial America to explore the life of pioneers through hands-on experiences and journaling. “Journaling Across America” – Heather Gentry, Debbie Oliver, Kristina Salonen, Alicia Gomez – Bonner Elementary School

12. Description • Similar to the Abstract • Tell us what you want to do

13. Example of Description Students will attend a weekly after school science program under the supervision of classroom teachers and college students. During the course of the science program, the students will have fourth through fifth grad TEKS* based hands on lab experiments in (1) physical science by learning about electromagnets, assembling circuits, building motors and a mouse trap car, (2) earth science by learning about volcanoes, volcanic rock and landforms, and (3) microscopes by investigation and observing microorganisms, plants, animals, chemical reactions, crystal growth and more! Students will create a visual and written journal to record data and observations. A culmination activity will be a field trip to The Discovery Science Place where students can continue their own science investigations. * TEKS= Texas Essential of Knowledge and Skills, our state mandated curriculum guidelines.

14. Statement of Rationale • The “why” of the project, problem, or issue addressed (why is this project important?) • Relate this to your campus objectives without revealing the name of your campus • How does the project relate to the Foundation’s Mission to inspire learning, enrich teaching and enhance opportunities for students of TISD? • How does this project benefit the students it will serve?

15. Example of Rationale The study of robotics implicitly demonstrates the application of math, science, and technology as well as introduces students to technological literacy as they develop the following work related competencies: project and time management, resource allocation, information accessing, systems understanding, team work, and effective/efficient problem solving. Robotics allows us teachers to introduce academic concepts in contexts that make sense to students and help them understand the digital world they are growing up in and will eventually become the leaders of. “ROBOTECH” – Paul Eyler, Steve Phillips, Leah Huffstetter, Mary Jenkins, Jan Ace & Pedro Riscado – Hogg Middle School

16. Project Evaluation • Indicate how you will show the project was successful • Set criteria (Does not have to be test scores, can be testimonials, feedback from students, parents etc.) • Be specific • It is imperative that you take digital photos of your project while in progress and send to the Foundation. These are used to create the Foundation’s Grant Summary, which is presented to donors.

17. Example of Evaluation Success will be defined as student achievement on formative and summative assessment. In the learning cycle, a teacher must know before the lesson what the students know. In this case, a pre-test will be given to all physics students. This pre-test will be a series of short free response type questions over the topic of the electric field. At the conclusion of the lesson, the same questions will be administered at the summative assessment. Success will be defined when a majority of students grow in their conceptual understanding of the electric field. “Visualizing the Electric Field” – Lana Hood, Al Shirley – Robert E. Lee High School

18. Budget • Develop a clear, realistic budget • Provide detail: Let us know the categories of the expenses • No need for exact catalog numbers, etc. • Present budget in a way that someone unfamiliar with your organization would understand • If your budget is over the $1,000 for individual grants or the $5,000 for team grants, from whom do you plan to get additional funding? • Keep in mind the student to budget ratio. If you are requesting $5,000, how many students will be served?

19. Timeline • Give an approximate estimation of the time expected from beginning to end of the project. • *Please note that if you are awarded a grant, the money must be spent or encumbered in the semester which it is awarded. It does not carry over to subsequent semesters.

20. Bonus Points • Projects with valid school and community partnerships may receive bonus points if needed by the Grants Committee

21. Example of Partnerships A valid partnership is pivotal to the success of the project • Proud Pals partnered G/T students with learners with disabilities and their teachers from the St. Louis School. • Lab Rats partnered Clarkston Elementary students with students at The University of Texas at Tyler.

22. Final Thoughts • Use clear, concise language • The most important aspect of this project is how it will impact students of Tyler ISD! • Keep your audience in mind when writing • Projects must have an ending • Use test readers to review your application • Avoid using unexplained acronyms • Original with signatures must be received in the Foundation office by 5 p.m., Friday, September 24th. • If you have any further questions, please email Tracy Phelps at tracy.phelps@suddenlinkmail.com

23. Thank you for your participation Grant Writing Workshop