SCHOOL TURNAROUND AMERICORPS

Grant: School Turnaround AmeriCorps
Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service; U.S. Department of Education
Deadline: The deadline was April 23, 2013.

Description: The School Turnaround AmeriCorps initiative is a collaboration between the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) aimed to increase educational achievement, high school graduation rates and college readiness for students in our nation’s lowest-performing elementary, middle and high schools.

Projects are expected to improve student academic performance, academic engagement and attendance outcomes through comprehensive school turnaround plans. These plans must incorporate one or more of the following items:

• Provide ongoing family and community engagement activities.
• Establish a school environment which improves school safety, attendance and discipline, while addressing non-academic factors impacting student achievement.
• Boost students’ reading and mathematics knowledge and skills.
• Increase graduation rates. Activities may include re-engagement strategies, early warning systems and credit-recovery programs.
• Increase college enrollment rates. Activities may include college preparation counseling assistance, and educating students and families on financial literacy for college.
• Support school implementation of increased learning time.  

Partnerships with community, local educational agencies (LEAs) and school-level support systems play a critical role in this program. Applicants are encouraged to partner with multiple eligible schools within an LEA and coordinate turnaround efforts among multiple school sites as a way to expand the reach and impact even further.

To be funded under this program, all proposed projects must use AmeriCorps members in implementing and providing activities. More information on who these members are and how to become an AmeriCorps member service site can be found in the program notice.

Fit for Public Broadcasting: Public broadcasting stations are eligible to apply directly to this program. Partnerships are also encouraged, especially for those stations that already maintain a strong relationship with area schools. Improving the high school dropout crisis, as well as family and/or community engagement activities are key components of this program. Stations can assist in expanding the reach of proposed activities in these areas to some of the lowest-performing schools in the nation. Stations with experience in providing education and community engagement activities, especially those involved with American Graduate, will find a natural fit here.

Eligibility: Public or private nonprofit organizations, including faith-based and other community organizations; schools or LEAs; institutions of higher education; government entities; Indian Tribes; and labor organizations are all eligible to apply.

Partnerships and consortia of these eligible organizations are also encouraged to apply.

Anticipated Funding: CNCS and the DOE anticipate $5 million to be available for this grant competition. Grant amounts can range from anywhere between $16,000 and $1,000,000.

There are three types of grants awarded under this program depending on the size of the project and how it will be implemented (e.g. local, state, national level). Check the program notice for more details.

How to Apply: All applicants are required to submit a Notice of Intent to Apply by April 2, 2013. Notifications should be sent by email with the subject “School Turnaround AmeriCorps Notice of Intent”.

Full proposals should be submitted electronically via the CNCS web-based system eGrants. Applicants should create an eGrants account and begin the application process at least three weeks before the deadline. Questions concerning the eGrants system can be directed to the National Service Hotline by calling 800-942-2677 or submitting an inquiry online.

Resources:
Program Notice
Program Website