HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION INITIATIVE

Description: The High School Graduation Initiative awards grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) and state educational agencies (SEAs) to support the implementation of effective, sustainable and coordinated dropout prevention and reentry programs in grades six through 12 in schools that have dropout rates that are above the state average and in middle schools that feed into such schools.  

This notice includes two absolute priorities. Only applications that meet these priorities will be considered:

• The Effective Early Identification, Prevention, and Intervention Programs priority supports projects that propose to establish, enhance or expand effective early intervention programs designed to identify at-risk students and prevent such students from dropping out of school. It also supports effective programs that identify and encourage youth who have already dropped out of school to reenter school and complete their secondary education.
• Under the Collaboration with Other Agencies priority, applicants must demonstrate that other public or private entities will be involved in, or provide financial support for, the implementation of the proposed activities. Applicants may involve such state agencies as those responsible for administering postsecondary education, Title I of the Workforce Investment Act, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid, the State Children's Health Insurance Program, foster care, juvenile justice and others. Applicants may also collaborate with business and industry, civic organizations, foundations, faith-based organizations and other private sector entities.

Fit for public broadcasting: Although public television stations cannot be the lead applicant for this grant competition, this could be a partnership opportunity for many local stations. This grant requires applicants to show that other private or public entities will be involved in assisting with the implementation of effective and sustainable dropout prevention and reentry programs. Because local stations have experience in many of these services, they will be valuable assets to proposed projects. Stations with experience in secondary education and postsecondary education, for example, are well positioned to become partners. Public television stations play an important role in their communities, and this grant provides an opportunity to expand this role through educational partnerships. Successful applications in the past have included cultural competence teacher training and public information campaigns, activities in which public broadcasting stations have expertise.

Eligibility: SEAs and LEAs are eligible to apply if they support or operate schools that serve students in grades six through 12 and have annual school dropout rates that are above the state average annual school dropout rate. SEAs and LEAs that support or operate middle schools that feed students into schools that serve students in grades six through 12 and have annual school dropout rates that are above the state average are also eligible to apply. Applicants must identify the specific schools that will receive project services and provide evidence that those schools meet the criteria above.  

Anticipated Funding: There is an estimated $45,000,000 available for this grant. Approximately 50 grants will be awarded, and they will range from $350,000 to $3,000,000.  

How to Apply: Applications must be submitted electronically using the Department of Education's electronic grant application system. Applicants are encouraged to notify the program by July 7, 2010, of their intent to apply.  

Resources:
Program notice
Program website
Previously funded projects