The Smart Scholars Early College High School Program- Intermediary RFP

1. The Smart Scholars Early College High School Program-Intermediary RFP Webinar – August 31, 2009 Presenter: Joseph P. Frey Associate Commissioner, Office of Higher Education

2. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarToday’s Agenda • Background • Overview of Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP • Questions from participants via chat box The recording of this webinar will be posted on our website: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/smartscholars.html

3. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarPurpose of the Smart Scholars ECHS Program • To increase high school graduation rates • To increase the number of students who complete a postsecondary credential or degree • Target student population: students from populations traditionally underrepresented in college

4. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarThe Smart Scholars Early College High School Program • In 2007, the Board of Regents proposed the Smart Scholars ECHS Program to help close the student achievement gap. • This comprehensive program builds upon • programs that provide college courses to high school students • the active work of the Department’s opportunity programs to assist educationally at-risk students to graduate from high school and achieve success in college.

5. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarECHS Early Research • Research conducted since 2002 by the American Institutes for Research and SRI International to evaluate the Early College High School Initiative (ECHSI). • ECHS are reaching their target populations: • 67% of ECHS students are members of minority groups • 59% qualify for free or reduced price lunches • 46% will be first-generation college students • ECHS have high attendance rates • Average daily attendance = 94% • 85% progress from one grade to the next ECHSI Evaluation

6. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarECHS Early Research • ECHS students are earning college credit • Graduates earned about a semester to one year of college credit • ECHS students are continuing on to college • 88% of ECHS graduates enrolled in college the next fall • 41% chose to attend four-year institutions • 47% chose to attend community colleges ECHSI Evaluation

7. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarThe Smart Scholars Early College High School Program - Overview Partnerships of public schools, BOCES, or charter schools with institutions of higher education will establish approximately 11 Smart Scholars Early College High Schools (ECHSs).

8. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarThe Smart Scholars Early College High School Program - Overview • First cohort of Smart Scholars ECHSs • Planning Year – December 1, 2009 – August 31, 2010 • First class to begin - September 1, 2010 • Second cohort of Smart Scholars ECHSs *** • Planning Year – September 1, 2010 – August 31, 2011 • First class to begin – September 1, 2011 *** Contingent upon receipt of an appropriation from the NYS Legislature in the 2010-2011 State budget

9. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarThe Smart Scholars Early College High School Program - Overview Partnerships of the following entities are eligible to respond to the RFP:

10. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarThe Smart Scholars Early College High School Program - Definitions LEA = local education agency • Public schools, BOCES and charter schools within NYS • Preference will be given to LEAs classified as “high need” or “very high need” IHE = institutions of higher education • SUNY, CUNY, independent and proprietary colleges and universities • 2- & 4-year • Must be accredited, http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ • Programs must be registered by NYSED, http://www.highered.nysed.gov/ocue/

11. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarIntermediary Intermediary: a research and consulting organization that has demonstrated experience in the • recruitment of qualified educators • development of academic support services • curriculum development • development, implementation and evaluation of assessment tools • ECHS framework Intermediary will assist with • promoting best practices across the schools • coordinating statewide leadership training opportunities • importing and translating best practices from other states • One intermediary will be selected

12. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarContract Period - Intermediary • Proposals must be postmarked by November 1, 2009 • Applicants will be informed by December 1, 2009 • Intermediary projected start date: • Planning Period: December 15, 2009 • Contract Period- December 15, 2009 to August 31, 2013

13. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarOverview of Intermediary RFP – Mandatory Requirements The selected intermediary must • meet criteria and qualifications established by USNY. • be a research and consulting organization that possesses demonstrated technical experience in developing high schools partnered with institutions of higher education • Must sign and return Appendix D (Agreement to meet Mandatory Requirements) with proposal.

14. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarOverview of Intermediary RFP – Eligibility Requirements • A deep understanding of how to create a college-going culture • Experience in the recruitment of appropriate classroom staff • Ability to deliver instructional and leadership training • Knowledge of secondary and postsecondary education organizational structures • Understanding of New York State law and regulations

15. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarOverview of the Intermediary RFP – Eligibility Requirements • Commitment to working in a diverse setting to support the achievement of students who are underrepresented in higher education • Track record of project, fiscal and grant management expertise • Ability to work cooperatively with an array of partners • Skill in developing educational assessment tools and in assessing student progress • Experience in providing professional development opportunities and training to educational personnel

16. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP Webinar Overview of the Intermediary RFP-Required Elements of Proposal • Proposal Summary: (limited to 1 page) • Proposal Narrative: limited to 25 pages, single-spaced on 8.5” X 11” paper with 1” margins on all sides. Font may not be less than 11 point.

17. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarOverview of the Intermediary RFP – Eligible Activities – Pre-Opening Planning Phase The selected intermediary will assist the Smart Scholars ECHS partnerships in the Pre-Opening Planning Phase: • Coordinate Smart Scholars ECHS • high school and college faculty • support services • calendars and transportation • establishing on-going governance structures • Provide technical assistance in the development of a budget and business plan

18. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarOverview of the Intermediary RFP – Eligible Activities – Pre-Opening Planning Phase • Articulation: Assist the Smart Scholars ECHS partnerships in: • preparing a detailed MOU between the ECHS partners • working toward the goal of statewide articulation between New York State’s 2- and 4-year colleges and universities. • Engage the Smart Scholars faculty and staff to design an aligned curriculum and standards and a sequence of courses • Provide guidelines for student recruitment and develop selection criteria and strategies

19. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarOverview of the Intermediary RFP – Eligible Activities – Implementation Phase • Engage school and instructional leaders for peer learning activities • Conduct school visits, to trouble shoot, problem solve and identify practices that can be shared • Connect the Smart Scholars ECHS Partnerships with the national early college high school movement. • Provide support and information regarding additional fund-raising to support the ECHS partnerships beyond the life of the grant • Evaluate academic and social support services (e.g. counseling staff advisors)

20. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP Webinar Overview of the Intermediary RFP – Eligible Activities – Implementation Phase • Support the partnership liaisons in joint planning with the LEA and support the principal/program director/school leader’s coordination with the IHE • Help to develop assessment tools and instruments, providing a data-driven feedback loop, including a plan for using results to: • evaluate college-readiness • student outcomes • program success • determine improvements needed • to refine the assessment model • Identify professional development for Smart Scholars ECHS college and high school faculties

21. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP Webinar Overview of the Intermediary RFP – Eligible Activities – Implementation Phase The Intermediary will develop a rubric for providing USNY the following data: • Documentation of meetings and outcomes • Methods and results of outreach to students, schools, parents, etc • Quarterly fiscal reports, partnership budgets • Hiring plans • Student recruitment plans • Collection and assessment of data

22. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarSummary of Submission Documents - to be submitted with proposal • Application Cover Sheet and Checklist • Resumes of key staff • Project Work/Management Plan • Documentation of experience with Early College High Schools movement • Documentation of other resources • Proposal Budget • Signed Ability to Meet Mandatory Requirements form • Five (5) references with contact information • Samples of successfully completed projects

23. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarOverview of the Intermediary RFP-Evaluation Criteria - Technical (75 points total) • Experience (43 points) • Understands and has the capacity to create a college-going culture (10 points max). • Demonstrated understanding of NYS laws and regulations and the University of the State of New York (6 points max). • Significant, documented skill in developing, implementing and evaluating educational assessment tools (6 points max). • Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with an array of partners (15 points max). • Experience in recruiting appropriate staff in early college high schools with ample classroom and leadership skills (6 points max).

24. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarOverview of the Intermediary RFP-Evaluation Criteria - Technical (75 points total) • Management (32 points) • Narrative provides a detailed description of the roles and responsibilities of the employees of the intermediary organization dedicated to this project (15 points max). • Soundness of the applicant’s plan of work, timetable, staff and student recruitment plans (10 points max). • Ability to deliver instruction and leadership training as well as other professional development (7 points max).

25. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarOverview of the Intermediary RFP-Evaluation Criteria – Financial Criteria(25 points) • The narrative provides a detailed description of the financial and budgetary implications of the project (8 points max) • Demonstrated, successful track record of project, fiscal and grant management expertise (9 points max). • A cost-effective approach to implementing the proposal (8 points max).

26. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarOverview of the Intermediary RFP- Method of Award • Aggregate score will be calculated • Minimum score 70 points • USNY reserves the right to cancel the RFP if it is in the best interest of the University

27. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarQ & A At this time, questions will be taken using the chat feature. We will give you a few moments to type in your questions, and address them in the order that they are posted. A link to the recording of this webinar and all questions and answers will be posted to the following website: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/smartscholars.html

28. Smart Scholars ECHS Intermediary RFP WebinarQuestions • Questions must be submitted to: INTERMEDRFP@mail.nysed.gov

29. Thank you for attending the Smart Scholars ECHS Program-Intermediary RFP Webinar