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Initiative # 3A: Regional Task Force - Summer Action Grants 2003 Purpose: This initiative is intended to provide support for summer activities designed and implemented by the regional Task Force groups. The purpose of these actions should be the continued pursuit of the two primary goals of the Task Force: 1.) to plan and implement quality inclusive teacher preparation programs, or to enhance the quality of those already implemented; and 2.) to engage in and support the professional development efforts of selected high need schools. Approaches to the regional Task Force Summer Action might include the following: The regional Task Force group might schedule a mid-summer meeting with teachers and administrators from the high need schools to talk about the focus of concerns in each of these schools. Participants might consider what resources are available for addressing these concerns. The regional Task Force group might schedule a meeting at which plans are made for connecting and coordinating preservice teacher placements within the region across the several institutions. The regional Task Force group might plan to visit several of the high need schools to familiarize themselves with these settings and their communities. The regional Task Force group might plan a "study day" during which all members of the region focus on a selected "root cause" of student difficulty in achievement. They would bring their best sources from the professional literature on the topic and share what those sources offered. They would consider application of this literature to the local education venues. The regional Task Force group might hold a symposium with personnel directors of local high need school districts to talk about the knowledge, skills, and dispositions need for successful teaching in high need schools. The regional Task Force group might hold a poster fair highlighting how regional colleges are prepare prospective teachers for inclusive teaching. Other approaches and ideas are encouraged and will be considered. Expected outcomes: A more robust regional Task Force group is, in general, the goal of this initiative. That is, members of the region should be more familiar with each other, more knowledgeable of the student learning issues of the high need schools in the region, and more knowledgeable about the prospects for quality inclusive teacher preparation programs in the region. Members of the region will have taken actions toward these ends, and may well have set plans for the coming year in the same regards. A final report on Regional Task Force Summer Action that summarizes activities and comments on their merits toward achieving these ends will be expected by August 31, 2003. Awards: Regional Task Force Summer Action Grants will be given to those regions, which demonstrate a commitment to engaging in summer actions toward the ends described above. One grant per region may be made. Grant awards will be made up to $10,000. Development of this grant will be led by the Task Force Liaison for the region. The grant itself will be given to a liaison’s institution of higher education, and that institution will be responsible for distribution of the funds as designated by the Task Force Liaison. The funds may be used to compensate participants for their time and reasonable expenses; to pay for expenses incurred in carrying out the planned activities of the regional Task Force group; and to pay other expenses as might be necessary. Because grants will be made to institutions, up to 8% of the grant may be used to cover indirect costs incurred by the institution. Half of the grant funds will be forwarded to the designated institution when the grant proposal is approved. The other half of the grant funds will be forwarded upon receipt of an acceptable final report. Funds must be expended by the August 15, 2003, the submission deadline for the final report. Time frame: Regional Task Force Summer Action Grant proposals should be received at the HESC offices by June 15, 2003. [My Proposals] |  [Approved Proposals]