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Local Solutions Year 12 Retention Fund. Grant Application Guidelines – Round Two September 2013 . Overview. Local Solutions Year 12 Retention Fund $ 5 million over four years (2012 - 2015)
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Local Solutions Year 12 Retention Fund Grant Application Guidelines – Round Two September 2013
Overview Local Solutions Year 12 Retention Fund • $5 million over four years (2012 - 2015) • Two rounds of two yeargrants to government, Catholic and independent P-12 and secondary schools, including specialist schools, in rural and regional Victoria • Funding for localised programs and initiatives that improve school retention rates and expand on the range of pathway options for senior students • Round Two open from 4 September, close 5pm 24 October 2013 • Implementation for 2 years - 2014 and 2015 • Clusters or groups of schools encouraged to apply
Purpose of the Grants Program • Fund programs or initiatives that are: • locally-driven, and • demonstrate how they will improve rates of Year 12 retention in rural and regional areas • Enhance capacity for regional and rural schools to achieve: • improved educational options and opportunities for secondary students • improved student well-being • increased capacity to tailor programs to specific abilities or aspirations • increased opportunities to support students in the transition to further education, training and/or employment
Purpose of the Grants Program • Grants should complement other initiatives in regional Victoria including: • Towards Victoria as a Learning Community • Refocusing Vocational Training in Victoria • Skilling the Bay • Skilling the Valley • Regional Partnerships Facilitation Fund
Eligibility • Open to Victorian secondary and P-12 colleges and specialist schools located in non-metropolitan areas, including Catholic and Independent schools • Schools located in the former non-metropolitan regions • Applications from: • clusters or groups of schools within the same community, and • those that demonstrate collaborative approaches across sectors, including community sector • are strongly encouraged. • Cluster or partnership applications should nominate a lead school and be endorsed by the School Council President and principal of the lead school.
Application Process • Round Two Application Form template and Guidelines can be found on http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/partnerships/pages/yr12retentionfund.aspx • Applications to be submitted by email • Application submissions close 5pm on 24 OCTOBER 2013 • Late applications will not be accepted • Enquiries should be directed to youth.transitions@edumail.vic.gov.au
Assessment of Applications Selection Criteria: • Need • Program Design • Partnerships • Capacity • Sustainability • Address all relevant selection criteria and provide relevant supporting material where appropriate • Complete the budget section • Grants $50,000 - $150,000 over two years • Larger grants may be considered
Funded Activities • New strategies or expansion of existing strategies that will reduce barriers to retention, such as: • supporting the capacity of the school to engage in partnerships to expand pathway options; • extending curriculum options; • the delivery of expanded learning options including vocational pathways; • the development of mentoring programs; • initiatives that build on parent engagement in their child’s education outcomes; and • vocational training programs that support better student outcomes, including for those at risk of early leaving.
Non-Funded Activities • Capital/building works • Replication of activities funded by other programs • Staffing only when able to demonstrate capacity for sustainability • Core focus Year 10-12 retention and expanding pathway options • Year 7-9 may be considered if evidence provided on benefits to retention
Conditions • Funding provided in a staged manner over 2 year duration • Lead school will receive the funds • 6 monthly reports • Recipient/s must participate in evaluation • Recipient schools must incorporate initiatives in annual school plans • Grant money must be expended by 31 December 2015 • Any unused monies must be returned to the Department • The Department reserves the right to use all or part of any material