Purpose: This initiative is intended to support new partnerships for inclusive practice between Task Force on Quality Inclusive Schooling member institutions of higher education and a high need P - 12 district or building that is not currently under a School Improvement Grant (SIG). The initiative should enhance the capacity of all the teachers involved to address the full range of student abilities and needs in the general education setting at the early childhood, childhood, middle childhood, and/or adolescent level. It supports the goal of having a robust and mutually beneficial partnership between each Task Force college and a high need school or district. Approaches to partnership enactment might include one of the following arrangements:

• The creation and implementation of fieldwork classrooms within a high needs school district building for pre-service teachers.
• The creation and implementation of professional development opportunities for pre-service and practicing teachers within a high need building or district.
• The creation and implementation of a mutually agreed upon action research project involving current P - 12 personnel and pre-service teachers.

The goals of these three approaches would be:
1) to build and strengthen a partnership between a college and a high needs school, and
2) to develop deeper understanding between and among us about the dual mission of serving learners well and preparing teachers to engage in this mission successfully.

Expected outcomes: Proposal writers are encouraged to consider partnerships that provide direct, long-term pre-service and professional development opportunities at a site or district. It is expected that award recipients will design, deliver, and assess their partnership experiences.

Awards: Partnership Enactment grants during 2004 - 2005 will be given to those applicants who demonstrate the ability to design and to implement a partnership as described above. Collaboration with the Regional School Support Center is required in the identification of high need schools.

Grant amounts will not exceed $5,000 per grant. A limited number of grants are available. The grants will be made to Task Force member institutions to be used by individual faculty members and their associates in implementing the partnerships. Financial officers at their institutions will receive sub-contracts from Syracuse University. Half of the award will be delivered upon approval of the grant. Half of the award will be delivered upon receipt of a final report. It is up to the grant recipient and his/her financial officer to arrange the details of payment for project personnel through the institution of higher education.

Funds may be used for teacher stipends, for faculty salary offset, or for other salary arrangements. Funds may not be used for purchasing or otherwise providing P - 12 supplies. Applicants may budget 8% of the award amount for indirect costs to their institutions. Generally, only one award per higher education institution will be made, unless exceptional proposals are received.

Funds must be expended in time to permit the host institution to submit the final detail cost invoice and signed Exhibit C with the final narrative report by August 15, 2005.  Timing for preparation of this report is different for each institution.  Please consult with your host institution regarding this matter. 

Time frame: The "Proposal for Partnership Enactment" should be submitted as soon as it is developed, but no later than December 31, 2004. Review of all "Proposals for Partnership Enactment" will proceed when proposals are received.