RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATION - February 26, 2001

Educate America Act (EAA) Statewide Impact Grant

13.

INFORMATION:

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has called for proposals for a special "Statewide Impact Grant" funded by the Educate America Act (EAA). Proposals for this highly competitive grant must provide benefits to students/educators across the Commonwealth to provide "local reform/professional development, as related to academic standards for reading, math and science." Proposals will be favored that involve schools with high percentages of low-income students, and schools with severe academic deficiencies such as those in empowerment school districts. A consortium of four school districts may request the maximum grant amount of $1,000,000.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the administration be authorized to submit to the Pennsylvania Department of Education a grant application for $1,000,000 to implement a Statewide Impact Educate America Act (EAA) Project in collaboration with three empowerment districts (Clairton City, Duquesne City, and Sto-Rox). If awarded, the grant will fund three initiatives: 1) staff development and academic standards initiatives in each district, 2) a video series on best practices in increasing student achievement, and 3) the design of a school environment to help students, for whom traditional methods have not succeeded, meet academic standards. The statewide impact is provided by disseminating the videos throughout Commonwealth schools and by sharing the model school design with Commonwealth schools that have similar needs.

Table of Contents

Minutes

Director Craig stated his understanding is that our district will apply for this
with three other school districts and that the other three districts are
empowerment districts.  Dr. Garrigan replied that his understanding is correct. 
Director Craig asked about our role within this grant.  Dr. Garrigan explained
that the purpose of the statewide impact grant, as part of the Educate America
Act, is to provide service in some way to schools across the state.  About two
years ago, our district was awarded a similar statewide impact grant.  In that
grant, we put on the PRISE Standards Conference, developed the PRISE video tape
series, and disseminated that to every school district in the state.  In this
grant, because of the way the grant was written, it required partnerships.  The
way the funding was defined, if one school district applied by itself, it could
apply for up to $250,000.  If two school districts applied, they could apply for
up to $500,000.  If four districts applied, they could apply for a million
dollars. One of the purposes of having a consortium of four districts was to
apply for the maximum amount.  The other purpose was so that we could properly
demonstrate need within the consortium.  Those are three very needy schools.

Director Craig asked, if the grant is approved, does the money get split up among
the four with each district going its separate way or do the four districts work
together to accomplish goals.  Dr. Garrigan explained that there are two
components in terms of outcomes.  One part has a benefit to each school district
with each district getting a chunk of money to use, generally, for staff
development.  The other chunk is the part that is the statewide impact.  If we
are awarded the grant, we will implement the part that is the statewide impact,
just as we did in the last  grant with the PRISE Conference and the PRISE videos.

Director Craig stated he thinks it is great when districts who are experiencing
success try to collaborate with districts that are struggling to some degree and
possibly help them.


ROLL CALL RECOMMENDATION 13

Director Craig moved the administration's recommendation 13.   Director Williams
seconded the motion.  The question was called and roll call was as follows:  Yea,
Directors Williams, Koch, Amato, Craig, Gallagher, Glancy, Leeson, and Venanzi  -
8.  Motion passed 8 - 0.