1. School Turnaround Leaders Development Program Grant
10/26/2016
School Turnaround Leaders Development Program Grant
Peter
Pursuant to C.R.S
November 17, 2016

2. Agenda Introduction Eligibility and Funding
10/26/2016
Agenda
Introduction
Eligibility and Funding
STLD Grant & District Strategy
Timeline
Contacts and Resources
Questions
Good morning everybody. This is peter Sherman. I’m here with my colleagues from CDE. Thanks for joining this webinar today, it is about the school turnaround leaders’ development grant program. Today we are going to go over a number of topics. Questions will be listed and answered in the chat box on the right and unmute the lines at the end of the webinar for additional questions. So thanks for joining this morning, we appreciate it. 2

3. High quality leadership is a key lever in school turnaround.
10/26/2016
Introduction
High quality leadership is a key lever in school turnaround.
was the first year of the School Turnaround Leaders Development (STLD) Program. Since the program began in 2014, 18 Colorado school districts and charter schools received over $3 million to participate, resulting in over 120 eligible aspiring and current leaders attending identified programs.
This program was established through a state statute 2 years ago. If you are going to our website right now, our current RFP is not up yet. Last year’s RFP is available there now and it will be updated on Dec 14th. 3

4. High quality leadership is a key lever in school turnaround.
10/26/2016
Introduction
High quality leadership is a key lever in school turnaround.
Purpose: To provide funds to support training and development of school turnaround leaders by partnering with identified Program Providers to develop outstanding school leaders with the competencies required to turn around low-performing public schools in the state.
Applicants may apply to receive training from approved providers to support to school turnaround leaders – principals, teacher leaders, or district-level or Institute administrators or employees that support schools with Priority Improvement or Turnaround plan types.
The purpose of this grant is 2-fold. One is to identify providers that offer different kind of leadership programs specific to turnaround, we call these program providers. The other side is to grant money out to charter schools and districts so that individuals can receive funding to cover tuition and other costs to attend these programs. This is specifically for schools with priority improvement or turnaround plan types on the states performance framework. That will be part of the eligibility. We want this grant program to connect with your strategies, this is a capacity building grant to help you establish and build your pipeline of folks you know will get into your schools and will be able to meet the diverse needs you have. 4

5. 10/26/2016
Eligibility
School districts and the Charter School Institute (CSI), on behalf of their schools with Priority Improvement or Turnaround (PI/T) plan types, are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity.*
Applicants must commit to serve the PI/T school and district for a minimum of two years, after completion of program. Because leaders must commit to serving in the identified schools for a period of two years, schools closing or phasing out during the or school year may not be eligible for some of the providers.
*Initial eligibility is based on the 2016 preliminary frameworks. Once frameworks are finalized, only PI/T schools and districts will be considered.
Good morning, this is Tomi Amos on Peter’s team and I’m going to spend some time talking about eligibility for this grant. If you are currently in priority improvement or turnaround you are eligible for this grant. We recognize the request to reconsider process is going on currently, only schools who are priority improvement and turnaround after the current framework is released will be eligible. If you have applied for reconsideration and are approved, you will not be eligible to apply.
If you look on the website you will see the list of providers available, there will be additional providers added once the website is updated. You can select the provider you are interested in but please note you cannot participate in multiple programs at the same time. 5

6. 10/26/2016
Funding
Approximately $1.6 million is available for the fiscal year, and will be awarded no later than June 30, 2017.
Note:
After approval, Priority Improvement/Turnaround schools named within the approved budget are set; other schools cannot be swapped in for any approved schools identified in budget and timeline. However, another leader that will serve the identified school may receive these services.
Districts may apply for leaders in schools already participating in one of the grant programs; however, leaders may not apply and participate in multiple leadership programs simultaneously.
Each School Turnaround Leaders Development (STLD) Grant may continue for up to three budget years. Additional funding beyond is contingent on approval from the State Legislature, availability of funds, and successful reporting from the recipients.
Tomi 6

7. 10/26/2016
Funding
Award Year
# of Applicants (by district/ charter)
% of Applicants Awarded
Average Amount Awarded
Award
Amount Range
2015 11
73%
$205,162
$39,540 - $615,150
2016 21
62%
$131,428
$42,000 -
$360,000
Tomi
Example: UVA awarded by school, and that includes multiple people at the school receiving the training.
Those awards depend upon the provider each participant participate in. Some of the providers allocate funds for an induvial person, principle, assistant principal, etc. Some allocate for a school, meaning multiple participants from that school can participate. Others support a district and a group of schools within that district so the range of funds vary per provider. This will be noted in the provider application.
Depending upon the provider, funds are allocated either by individual, school, or group of schools. 7

8. 10/26/2016
Allowable Use of Funds
Grantees are required to use funding from this grant to:
Identify, train, and support: teacher and aspiring school leaders; current school leaders; district, charter organization, or Institute level staff who support identified Priority Improvement or Turnaround school(s);
Subsidize the cost of school turnaround leaders and other support staff to participate in turnaround leadership development programs; and
Reimburse school turnaround leaders for the costs they incur in completing turnaround leadership development programs offered by identified providers
An “identified provider” is a public or private entity that offers a high-quality turnaround leadership development program for Colorado Educators.
As Peter mentioned earlier, there are 2 sides of this grant, you are listening in as the participants’ sides. Several identified providers applied to be approved providers through this grant program as well. You can see some of these providers for this school year on the site and will see some additional providers when the website is updated in Dec. 8

9. Allowable Use of Funds (cont.)
10/26/2016
Allowable Use of Funds (cont.)
Schools and districts that are currently participating in turnaround leadership development programs must be successfully fulfilling the requirements of the grant. Current participation will be considered when reviewing district applications for new or additional applicants.
Funds from this opportunity must be used to supplement and not supplant any federal, state and local moneys currently being used to provide school turnaround leaders at the school or district level. Note: Indirect Costs are not allowable; however, administration may be claimed in an amount of up to 5%.
There are some on the call who have participated before, any districts that have current participants have to make sure they are successful and in good standing with their providers to be eligible to apply for new or additional participants in this new grant cycle. 9

10. STLD & District Strategy
10/26/2016
STLD & District Strategy
Small District Example
Year 1:
Two principals attended Provider Y’s program and start to develop systems and structures for observation and feedback at their respective schools.
Year 2:
Two district leaders attend Provider Y’s program and start to develop district-wide systems and structures for observation and feedback, based on the work of the year 1 principals.
The two ‘Year 1’ principals “train the trainer” with their school admin/leadership teams.
Year 3:
2 district leaders train remaining principals, district leaders, and school-based leaders on the observation and feedback system and structures.
RESULT: Comprehensive and clearly defined strategy for observation and feedback that is aligned across the district to support teacher development.
We wanted to give you an example to understand how this grant could be used to support your district strategy. 10

11. STLD & District Strategy
10/26/2016
STLD & District Strategy
Large District Example
Year 1:
8 principals & 3 district leaders attended Provider A’s program and start to develop systems and structures for data analysis at the school and district level.
Ongoing coaching and feedback from Provider A through their quarterly site visits.
Year 2:
Same principals & district leaders refine their work on analyzing student work and begin to revise district assessments based on the feedback they received from Provider A’s site visits.
Same principals & district leaders attended Year 2 of Provider A’s program and start to develop a district talent strategy at the school and district level.
RESULTS: 1) Updated assessments aligned to standards and a clear structure for analyzing student work that results in increased achievement in literacy and math across the district. 2) A talent strategy to attract and retain great teachers.
Tomi 11

12. STLD & District Strategy
10/26/2016
STLD & District Strategy
Large District Example
Year 1:
3 principals, 2 aspiring principals and an AP attended Provider C’s program focused on rebuilding school culture and developing strong academic systems.
Year 2:
2 aspiring principals transition to Priority Improvement and Turnaround schools in the district, implementing strategies learned in Provider C’s program.
District runs professional learning community for Provider C graduates to maintain learning and networking.
RESULTS: 1) Deep professional learning for current and aspiring Priority Improvement/Turnaround leaders. 2) Support structures in place for new Priority Improvement/Turnaround Leaders.
Tomi 12

13. Review Process This funding opportunity is a competitive process
10/26/2016
Review Process
This funding opportunity is a competitive process
There is no guarantee that submitting an application will result in funding or funding at the requested level.
All award decisions are final.
Applicants that do not meet the qualifications will be notified and may reapply for future funding opportunities.
Applications will be reviewed to ensure they contain all required components. CDE will then recommend applicants to the Colorado State Board of Education for final funding approval. CDE will make all efforts to notify applicants of final award status no later than March 30, 2017.
Make sure you are thoughtful in your application and make sure you reach out if you have any questions. 13

14. 10/26/2016
Timeline
Activity
Deadline
RFP Released
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Application Training Webinar & Hear from Approved Providers
Friday, January 13, 2017 at 9am
Letter of Intent Due
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Grant Applications Due
Monday, February 13, 2017, by 11:59 pm
CDE Grant Review Process
February 14, 2017 – March 01, 2017
Applicants notified of status
March 2017*
Question: how do charter schools apply for these funds? Do we do so as a school or through our district? You apply for the funds through your authorizer, it might be your district or your CSI. You would do most of the writing through your school but need signatures from your authorizer.
The approved providers will speak about their program so you can determine the best fit for your school. There is the possibility for you to be approved with changes which means you would need to make the necessary changes and resubmit for approval.
*Pending board approval on April 13, 2017 & pending any necessary application revisions 14

15. CDE Contacts Contacts: Program Questions: Fiscal/Budget Questions:
10/26/2016
CDE Contacts
Contacts:
Program Questions:
Tomi Amos, District and School Performance )
Peter Sherman, District and School Performance )
Fiscal/Budget Questions:
Evan Davis, Office of Grants Fiscal Management )
RFP-Specific Questions:
Kim Burnham, Office of Competitive Grants and Awards )
Opening up for questions:
What is the link to the website? Peter is sending out and the website will be updated on Dec 14th
When is the application due? 11:59am Feb 13th. You need to submit letter of intent Jan 18th
Is there a limit for how many schools can apply? No, as long as they are priority improvement or turnaround. All, none, or part of your requests may be funded, it is a competitive process
Do you know when the state will let the schools or districts know the results for request for reconsideration? Districts will be notified by Dec after the Dec board meeting. Schools will know in Jan after the Jan board meeting.
What is the difference between turnaround leadership and turnaround network? The leader grant is state grant and it funds are for individuals to attend training. Network was started 2-3 years ago, group of individuals out of the CDE office work with schools in a fairly intensive program, work with the schools for 2-3 years. The network will be happy to share more info if you are interested. Blend of strategies of network with leaders’ bill. It’s a way we engage directly with schools with the principle and sup from the district level. Some things that are provided are a diagnostic, goal setting, ongoing performance management, and visits.
Reminder of timeline and please reach out if you have any questions. 15