Purpose of the School Improvement Mini Grants

The purpose of these grants is to improve the performance of students with disabilities in schools that are at Phase 1 or Phase 2 of School Improvement and where the special education subgroup did not make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). The application will require that applicant school improvement teams identify a data-supported building need and develop a plan to improve the performance of students with disabilities.

The applications will be distributed electronically to districts by May 16, 2005, and the applications will be due June 30, 2005.

Elementary and secondary school buildings are eligible to apply through their School Improvement teams. Each building team that applies must include at a minimum: a general educator, a special educator, the building principal, a central office administrator, and a school improvement team member who will collaboratively develop and implement a plan to improve the achievement of students with disabilities. Participating buildings will be expected to collaborate with their local school district and intermediate school district. Signatures will be required from the school improvement team chair, the building principal, the local special education director, local superintendent and a representative of the intermediate school district. A consulting partnership with a college/university is also encouraged.

Grant Amount, Time Period and Reporting

The maximum award for Phase 1 schools is $10,000. The maximum award for Phase 2 schools is $25,000. The total amount of funds available is $390,000. The grant period will be from July 1, 2005 until June 30, 2006. Final report will be due to the OSE-EIS by July 30, 2006.

Use of the Grant Dollars

Grant funds may be used to pay substitutes and staff stipends (not salaries), to pay the costs associated with professional development work, and to purchase materials and software needed to support the building goal and increase the achievement of students with disabilities. Dollars may also be expended for consultants and professional development providers who might be helpful in achieving the proposed goal.