Georgia Appalachian Center for Higher Education (GACHE)

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Request for Proposals 2009-2010
Overview
The Georgia Appalachian Center for Higher Education (GACHE) invites eligible high schools in the following
Appalachian counties to submit a proposal for funds to support students in continuing their education beyond
high school. The counties named below have been targeted because, generally, their youth have rates of
extremely low postsecondary education, high drop-out, and very low college completion:
Banks
Barrow
Bartow
Catoosa
Chattooga
Dade
Elbert
Fannin
Floyd
Franklin
Gilmer
Gordon
Habersham
Hall
Haralson
Hart
Jackson
Lumpkin
Madison
Murray
Polk
Rabun
Stephens
Towns
Walker
White
Whitfield
Union (Woody Gap
HS)
The purpose of the Georgia Appalachian Center for Higher Education is to provide resources to schools to
encourage and assist high-school students to continue their education by enrolling in any post-secondary
institution, and completing a degree, certificate, or technical training program. GACHE offers grants to schools
that especially target first generation college enrollees and those students who do not consider college to be an
option.
In an effort to address the barriers Appalachian students face regarding access to higher education, GACHE
makes funds available to Georgia public high schools on a competitive basis to implement new, expanded, or
innovative strategies for improving both access to and success in college for high school students. GACHE also
provides technical assistance and training to school grantees, and serves as a community resource center offering
information and data related to activities that improve higher education access.
GACHE funds to schools can be used to explore student career interests; to visit college campuses; to inform
students about college and financial aid options; to implement a progressive career curriculum (see Model
Program description pp. 4-5); to develop a tracking and evaluation system to follow students entering and
completing college. Other activities, such as the ones below, that focus on building students’ self-esteem and
self confidence in their ability to succeed in higher education and life; demystifying the college experience, and
helping students and their parents explore college opportunities and career possibilities can also be supported by
the grant funds.
• campus and classroom visits for all students to colleges, universities, and technical colleges;
• involvement and participation with the feeder middle schools in awareness activities and presentations;
• HS students presenting to middle school students or holding a “Reality Store” event for them;
• HS and MS parent information sessions pertaining to college selection, costs, and financial aid;
• active participation in college and career fairs;
• motivational talks by college students;
• teacher and staff visits to colleges and industry;
• networking with business and community partners;
• guest speeches by respected, well-known, successful former students (who, as high school students did
not think college was an option) and who have overcome barriers to attend and finish college;
• assigned essays that inform students of college costs, programs, and economic advantages;
• assigned research projects regarding chosen careers, the educational requirements for the chosen career,
institutions offering the required coursework, and the salaries for the chosen careers;
• displays in the commons area of school with names of students who have applied to and been accepted
to college; and
• program displays and grantee participation at GACHE conferences and workshops.
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Pending funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission, GACHE will have funds available to award for
the 2009-2010 school year. The amount of the grant award may not exceed $10,000. Proposals will be evaluated
and approved by the Team GACHE staff with input from the CORE Team and Advisory Board. The proposed
activities, if funded, will be monitored by the Team GACHE staff throughout the funding year.
• Proposals must provide a 20% annual match of either cash or in-kind services.
• The proposal must include a SMART goal statement, a detailed budget, and an evaluation plan.
• Proposals must support new, innovative, or expanded strategies
• Funds may not be used to supplant any current funds, activities or pay salaries.
The grants are specifically designed to increase the graduation and college-going rate at the high school,
therefore, particular attention should be given to:
• The goal statement (must be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time oriented-SMART)
Example: College Bound High School will increase the number of students from 30 to 60 who
graduate from HS in May/June, 2010 and enter a post-secondary college, technical college, or
certificate program.“
• the quality and clarity of the written proposal
• the likelihood of the activities selected leading to achievement of the stated objective
• a plan to evaluate the results of the activities to improve the graduation and college-going rate
• a plan to monitor graduating students to determine accurate college-going rates
• the issues of need, current accurate college-going rates, unemployment and poverty levels,
• the documented commitment of the graduation coach/grant coordinator, counselors, the faculty, the
school principal and superintendent
A description of each required component follows:
1. Completed Form A-01 Proposal Summary Form
2. Completed Form A-02 Proposal Application Form
3. A Proposal Narrative, including the budget page, which contains the following information in
a maximum of 10 single spaced pages, using Times New Roman, 10pt. font:
4. Goal Statement and Description of the Proposed Activities
• The goal is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time oriented (SMART).
• The written proposal clearly outlines the activities selected that will lead to achievement of the
stated goal and the likelihood of success
• The proposal briefly describes the school population including accurate data on drop-out rates,
current and past college-going rates reflected on the chart in the Application Form A-02, and
how the activities will help to overcome local barriers to pursuing post-secondary education
• The description of the proposed activities should support the stated goal, the needs of the
school, and be clear and concise
• Activities to involve other agencies and businesses including 2 and 4-year colleges and
universities, technical colleges, middle and high schools within the system
5. Program Support
• A description of how the school will achieve whole school buy-in including names and
positions of administrators, faculty, staff, teachers, and other personnel involved in the
program
• Evidence of total school understanding and buy-in indicated by the signatures of each staff
member and administrator participating. (see page 8)
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• Letters of commitment to support the GACHE initiative from the school principal and the
school superintendent. Each letter should address the following:
o The need for the grant and the support of the administration
o How the school or county/district will provide the minimum 20% match, either in
dollars or in-kind services (please explain)
o The appointment of a coordinator for the grant (may be a graduation coach, counselor,
or administrator) who has the ability, commitment, and support to implement the
initiative.
o The commitment to submit quarterly and annual reports of activities and expenditures
by designated deadlines
• A letter of commitment and resume from the person appointed to coordinate the program (the
school’s grant coordinator, counselor or graduation coach)
6. Faculty/Staff In-Service activities
• Description of in-service activities with identified faculty involvement necessary to execute the
program
• Explanation of how these in-service activities are to be developed, implemented, evaluated
and the person responsible for conducting them
7. Timetable for the Program
• Detailed schedule of the program to include names of persons responsible for various
activities, nature of activities, and the various locations and tentative dates for campus and
business visits
• Calendar of events for submission to the GACHE Director
8. Evaluation of Program
• Provide a description of the data collection, reporting, and archival methods by which you will
determine the effectiveness of the grant activities over time
• Name of the person responsible for reporting results to GACHE
• A procedure to collect and accurately report college-going rates for current and future
graduating classes
9. Capacity-Building Plan
• A plan to continue the program beyond the GACHE funding period
10. Proposed Budget
• Include an itemized budget for the program indicating the source and amount of matching
funds
• Provide a narrative of the projected expenditures justifying the need
The Model Program description that follows and the Components of a Program (page 11) are resources to be
used in developing the proposal. Applications should carefully consider all the components of each and take care
to explain activities that exceed the components of the Model. Other resources include a significant study
entitled The Appalachian Access and Success Project. Research Updates presents the outcomes, conclusions,
and recommendations of the study and is available along with the full study on the Web site of GACHE’s sister
program, at www.oache.org. These are downloadable in PDF format.
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Example of GACHE’s Model Program
Title: “This is the name you will give your program”
The Purpose:
The Plan:
The Process:
To provide a program for all high school students that will help them plan,
explore, and experience the various possibilities for selecting careers in order to
promote the importance and opportunities of post-secondary education and
increase the number of students participating in 2 or 4 year colleges, technical
colleges or universities.
The school will create or expand a program to promote and help students and
parents through the process of career exploration, post-secondary school selection,
financial aid, and admission. The school will implement the program with funding
from the Georgia Appalachian Center for Higher Education, matching funds from
the school, and assistance from the school's advisory council. The program will
include all high-school-age students in the building (i.e., 9-12 or 10--12) and
include middle school activities for the feeder schools. The model program will be
infused into the high school curriculum with each year providing further steps in
the process.
Parents will participate in monthly meetings to have their questions and concerns
about college answered. Topics addressed will include assistance in dealing with:
• application procedures;
• selection of a suitable college;
• timely completion of applications for admission and for financial aid, including
grants, scholarships, and loans; and
• college entrance exams.
1. Freshman Year: All freshmen (and middle school students) are introduced to the
program by using career information software that provides simple career interest
surveys, information on a wide variety of careers that match the students'
interests, and data on all the post-secondary schools in the region. Students also
participate in career fairs, as well as 1-2 field trips to local businesses and
corporations. This begins the career exploration process for students. The
“GACHE Reality Store” simulation is provided to all freshmen and/or middle
school students to point out the need for a post-secondary education.
II. Sophomore Year: All sophomores will continue to use the career information
software in English Language Arts classes as part of a project in the career
decision process to further their knowledge of the different careers available and
their options. In addition to career fairs, all students will participate in field trips
to a variety of businesses and manufacturers to experience different
jobs/occupations. A selection of career and college videotapes will be acquired to
further enhance the exploration. Sophomores will take the ACT PLAN test as an
aid in forming career plans and identifying opportunities.
III. Junior III. Junior Year: All III. Junior Year: All juniors will have access to all
previously mentioned materials. They will participate in field trips to colleges,
universities, technical colleges or other post-secondary training facilities, as well
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as different work sites in order to be exposed to as many career and postsecondary
options as possible. In the spring, juniors will be assigned a
research project pertaining to their career and post-secondary selections.
Videotapes, computer software, and ACT/SAT prep classes will be available.
Evening meetings will be offered to parents to answer their questions and
provide other assistance as needed in the process.
IV. Senior Year: All seniors will continue to use the resources available to the
other classes. Scholarship information including GACHE At-Promise
Scholarships will be made available online. Appointments, to which parents
will be invited, will be made with each senior to discuss their opportunities
and ideas during the fall semester. Deadlines will be set to help encourage
students to stay on task and complete the process. Students will also have the
opportunity to become part of a mentor program, working with a business or
corporation in the community in an effort to begin training for a specific
career and start earning money for post-secondary education.
GACHE’s model program has been adapted from a program developed by Mr. Patrick Cadle, a counselor at
Newcomerstown High School, in Appalachian Ohio. As a result of his program, Newcomerstown High School
increased its college attendance rate from 28 percent to 80 percent over a five-year period. This program has been
successfully replicated in many West Virginia high schools since 1998 with similar success.
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Form A-01
Summary Page
School Name:
Address:
County/District Name and
Federal Tax ID number:
Grant Coordinator’s Name
Position:
School’s Program Name:
Funding Requested: (not to exceed $10,000)
Program Year: 2009-2010
Bulleted Summary of Activities:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Submitted by:
Principal’s Printed Name:
Phone:
Email:
Date:
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Form A-02
Application
Program Year 2009-2010
Amount of Funding Requested
$ ____________________
School District: ________________________________
Contact Information for school’s grant coordinator: ____ Mr. ____ Mrs. ____ Ms. ____ Dr.
Name: ____________________________________________________________
Position: ___________________________________________
School Address: _________________________________________________________
City: ____________________ State: _________ Zip: _____________
Phone: ___________________ Fax: ________________ E-mail: ___________________________
NUMBER OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES ATTENDING HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
Academic
Year
Total
students
enrolled in
grades
9-12
(Fall FTE
Count )
Number of
Seniors at
Beginning of
Academic
Year (Fall
FTE Count)
Number
as
9th
Graders
4 years
Earlier
Number of Seniors
Graduating* from
HS w/ Regular
Diplomas only
(exclude SPED &
Cert. of
Attendance)
Number of Seniors
Graduating
w/SPED diplomas
or Certificates of
Attendance
Number of
Graduates
serving in the
Military
Graduates Attending
Vocational, Technical, 2 -4
year Colleges or Universities
Number Percent
Grad. Class
of 2008-09
XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX
Grad. Class
of 2007-08
Grad. Class
of 2006-07
Grad. Class
of 2005-06
Grad. Class
of 2004-05
*reflects graduates in May/June of school year.
Certification & Signature: To the best of my knowledge, the information contained in this application is accurate.
I understand that our school system is expected to provide a minimum 20% match in dollars or in-kind services:
Name of Principal (print): ___________________________________________________
Signature and Date: _____________________________________________Date_______
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Names and Signatures of Faculty and Staff
who will be involved with this program
(use additional sheets as necessary)
Name Position Signature
1. ____________________ ____________________ _________________________
2. ____________________ ____________________ _________________________
3. ____________________ ____________________ _________________________
4. ____________________ ____________________ _________________________
5. ____________________ ____________________ _________________________
6. ____________________ ____________________ _________________________
7. ____________________ ____________________ _________________________
8. ____________________ ____________________ _________________________
9. ____________________ ____________________ _________________________
10 ____________________ ____________________ _________________________
Total number of all staff ________
1. Number of classified staff ________
2. Number of Certified Teachers and Counselors ________
3. Number of Administrators _________
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1.
Business and Community Partners
Business/Organization Name ___________________________________________________
Contact Person/Title _____________________________________
Phone/Email ___________________________________________
Services to be provided:_________________________________________________________
2. Business/Organization Name ___________________________________________________
Contact Person/Title _____________________________________
Phone/Email ___________________________________________
Services to be provided:_________________________________________________________
3. Business/Organization Name ___________________________________________________
Contact Person/Title _____________________________________
Phone/Email ___________________________________________
Services to be provided:_________________________________________________________
4. Business/Organization Name ___________________________________________________
Contact Person/Title _____________________________________
Phone/Email ___________________________________________
Services to be provided:_________________________________________________________
5. Business/Organization Name ___________________________________________________
Contact Person/Title _____________________________________
Phone/Email ___________________________________________
Services to be provided:_________________________________________________________
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PROPOSED BUDGET
College Campus/Business visits $______________________
• Lunch
Bus Driver Costs $_______________________
• Bus Mileage Costs
• Materials
• Contracts
• Rent
Middle School Activities $____________________
Parent Activities $___________________________
Partnership Activities $________________________
Substitute Teachers $__________________________
• Replace regular teachers who accompany students on college visits, business and industry field trips.
• Provide release time for in-service meetings/workshops.
Materials (excluding furniture or equipment) $ _________________
• Software and textbooks for college testing.
• Various media pertaining to colleges, careers, financial aid, scholarships, college entrance exams, etc.
• Newsletters for parents
Incentive Programs $_______________________
Travel $________________________
• After school hours from GACHE sponsored events
• Participation by principal, counselors, grant coordinator, graduation coach in GACHE check presentation and
workshops
• Participation in GACHE Bus Tour
• Networking with other high schools
Postage for newsletters, letters to colleges, etc. $ _________________
Tutoring Activities $____________________
Credit Recovery $______________________
Discretionary (not to exceed 10% of total budget) $ _________________
• May be transferred to above accounts as needed.
• May be expended for items other than above categories upon written permission from GACHE.
• Will be returned to GACHE if not used.
TOTAL BUDGET* (Funds may not be used for salaries for program coordinators, teachers, or
counselors)
$__________________________________________________________________________________
* The school system is required to provide a minimum match of 20% (up to $2,000, depending on
requested amount) in actual dollars or in-kind service, which must be identified in the superintendent's
letter of commitment.
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Sample Program Components
Business Alliance - Organization formed to connect community, area businesses, and corporations to provide
seamless communication with schools. This organization is instrumental in creating career and job fairs for
students to inform them of careers and postsecondary needs and options.
Career Fair - This program should be set up in the fall to include representatives from postsecondary schools,
businesses, and corporations to speak to students in a professional manner. This works as an all-day event with
scheduled speakers instead of regular class periods. Morning and afternoon periods should be scheduled to allow
for reflection and evaluation.
College Fairs - Funds are utilized to transport students to college fairs outside the local district and to establish
contact with post-secondary institutions for future reference.
Computer Information Systems - Computer systems and software for students and parents to research/explore
careers, programs, post-secondary schools and scholarships. Examples include Education and Career
Opportunities (ECOS), Georgia Career Information System (GCIS) DISCOVER, CHOICES.
Field Trips - Provide opportunities for all students and staff members to visit and observe different postsecondary
institutions, businesses, and career settings.
Job Fair - An event should be planned, during which area businesses and corporations set up displays for
discussions with juniors, and then interview seniors as part of a requirement in English classes.
Monthly Newsletter - Written by students with staff assistance and mailed to each student's home to notify
parents of calendar events, special meetings, and current activities and accomplishments at school.
Monthly Parent Meetings - Planned and prepared by the principal and staff to provide information on school
policies, upcoming events, and post-secondary procedures, including financial aid, admissions, and college
placement exams. Parents have the opportunity to ask questions as well as offer input on any procedure or
controversy.
Staff Visits - Staff members are encouraged to visit and observe other colleges and businesses to become more
informed of various career options for students. A series of visits should be scheduled so every teacher becomes
involved.
Video Library - Created and updated with funds to provide visual prompts for research.
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CHECKLIST
Did you remember to...
State your SMART goal?
Demonstrate your school’s need for the grant?
Include the resume of the person appointed to coordinate the grant?
List all faculty and staff (with their signatures) who will be involved in the program?
Include two commitment letters; one from the superintendent and one from the principal?
Include a commitment letter from the person appointed to coordinate the grant?
Outline your plan to achieve total school buy-in?
Provide a list of activities planned during the year to improve the graduation and college-going rate?
Describe a procedure to collect and accurately report your school's college-going rate?
Provide a description of the data collection, reporting, and archival methods by which you will determine the
effectiveness of the grant activities year-by-year and over time?
Include a listing of active community and business partners and the services they can provide?
Include a description of in-service activities for faculty and staff to insure their knowledge of and commitment to
the grant activities?
Include a timetable and calendar of events for program activities with person responsible named?
Explain how the program will continue beyond funding by GACHE?
Include an itemized budget and narrative of the proposed expenditures?
Indicate the source of your school's 20% match?
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Proposal Submission
An original, signed proposal must be postmarked
no later than April 3, 2009 to be considered for funding.
In addition, email an electronic copy to this address: gache@ngcsu.edu
Mail the completed application to:
Shirley L. Davis, Director
Georgia Appalachian Center for Higher Education,
North Georgia College & State University
212 Dunlap Hall
Dahlonega, Georgia 30597
Voice: 706-867-3272 Fax: 706- 867-2880