Grants for Innovative Teaching

1. Grants for Innovative Teaching Sponsored By

2. Today’s Agenda • Introductions • Mission Statement & Purpose • Explanation of Funding • Explanation of Grant Process • Helpful Grant Writing Hints • Timeline Review • Questions/Concerns

3. Grants for Innovative Teaching Mission Statement: To improve education by funding unique programs designed especially for a particular school or grade level. The program is committed to the cause of better education in the Dallas area and strives to promote opportunities for teachers and students.

4. Purpose • Grants for Innovative Teaching is a Junior League of Dallas project designed to encourage and support excellence in teaching. • The grants will enable teachers to implement ORIGINAL and CREATIVE projects not provided for in school budgets.

5. Funding • The JLD, thanks to the generosity of Chase, will be able to award up to $75,000.00 in grants to educators in elementary (including kindergarten), middle, and high schools in the DISD. • Only one application per teacher will be accepted. When applying as a team, each teacher’s name should be listed and one should be designated as the lead teacher. • Grant awards are up to $500 for an individual teacher, up to $1,000 for two teachers, and up to $1,500 for a group of three or more teachers.

6. Grant Process • The completed application and six paper clipped copies must be received by the Junior League of Dallas, Inc., 8003 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX 75209, by 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 27, 2007. • The grant request should be on the JLD form. Facsimile and electronic submissions will not be accepted. • Grant applications will be available through your principal and librarian or online at www.jld.net.

7. Applications are anonymous. Identifying information (teacher’s name, school principal, etc.) should only appear on the cover sheet. Applications will be reviewed by the JLD Grants for Innovative Teaching Committee. Grants will be awarded in September 2007 and will be distributed through each school’s activity fund. Projects must be implemented from September 1, 2007 and April 30, 2008. JLD committee members will make site visits to observe and evaluate the projects. Grant winners must submit an evaluation of his/her project by May 3, 2008. Grant Process

8. DEFINITION Does the project have a clear definition and purpose? QUALITY OF IMPLEMENTATION Is the time table reasonable? Projects need to be implemented between September 1, 2007, and April 30, 2008. Are the activities clearly defined and achievable in a classroom setting? CREATIVITY How innovative is this project? Does it replace or resemble existing programs, either in the school or in the community? PRACTICALITY Is this project age appropriate? Is this a project that will have school and parental support? Helpful Grant Writing Guidelines

9. EFFECTIVENESS How can the success of this project be tangibly measured and evaluated? Are goals clearly defined? BENEFIT TO STUDENTS What will the students gain from this project? How many students will benefit from this project? BUDGET Will this grant fulfill all the financial requirements of the project or will additional funds be needed? Have other funds been applied for from other sources for this project? Is the budget clear and specific? Are all expenses itemized? Does the budget meet the funding parameters? Helpful Grant Writing Guidelines

10. Short Summary: Remember to include the number of students impacted directly and indirectly Ex: Directly: 70 students will be involved in the project Ex: Indirectly: Those 70 students will present the topic in a play that will be seen by the entire student body (575 students) Project Description: When describing the proposed project, please keep in mind the committee reviewing the proposals may not know all the teaching acronyms (IRL, ARC, TAG, etc.). Please provide appropriate supporting details. How INNOVATIVE is this project? How is it different from existing programs at the school? Ex: Buying books for children may not appear “innovative” on first blush. Explain why this is different and how the books will be used and the benefits to the children. Grant Specifics

11. Goals and Objectives: What particular need (with your students or at your school) does this project fulfill? What will the students gain from this project? (Increased reading scores, better self esteem, improved communication skills, etc.). Effectiveness: How will the success of your project be measured? Ex: Students enjoying themselves during the before school program (is not going to cut it). Ex: Improve reading scores from X% to Y% between September 2007 and April 2008. Grant Specifics

12. Too Much Detail Tomato Seeds Melon Seeds Pepper Seeds Organic Mulch Cedar Mulch Organic Soil Regular Soil Azaleas Peonies Flagstone Limestone 14” Rake 16” Rake 22” Shovel Grant Specifics: Budget – How Much Detail? Just Right • Seeds • Mulch • Soil • Flowers • Stone • Rake • Shovel • Tiller (small one safe for children) Too Little Detail • Plants • Tools • Misc Supplies Hint: We need to know what types of tools & supplies you will purchase to ensure project relevancy and age appropriateness. Hint: Provide enough detail about what is being purchased so the Committee is comfortable with the items chosen. Hint: Group items by category – this will make for fewer budget amendments.

13. Grant Submission Deadline Friday, April 27, 2007 Grants Awarded September 2007 (date TBD) Project Implementation September 1, 2007 through April 30, 2008 Project Evaluations and Observations Throughout the school year Project Evaluation Due May 3, 2008 Timeline Review

14. The Junior League of Dallas is Committed to Improving Education for DISD Students For additional information, call Becky Park, Project Chair, Grants for Innovative Teaching at (214) 357-8822, ext. 218 or email gfit@jld.net. Application deadline is Friday, April 27, 2007. Sponsored By