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Welcome > What We Fund > Education > School-Based Request for Proposals (RFP) > Data-Driven Instruction

Implementation or Expansion of Data-Driven Instruction

 *** The 2008 School-Based RFP - Implementation or Expansion of Data-Driven Instruction grant cycle is now closed.  ***

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 The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation seeks to facilitate improvement in the academic outcomes of disadvantaged youth from birth through grade 8 in ways that will lead to academic success and enhanced opportunities later in life. 

The Tower Foundation aims to accomplish this objective by providing financial support for implementation of programs and services that have proven to be successful. This initiative is targeted toward the implementation or expansion of data-driven instruction in grades K -8.
 
Data-driven instruction refers to the practice of using student outcomes on various measures to plan curriculum and instruction. Educators use data to plan diverse instructional strategies in response to the differences in how students think and learn.
 
The ultimate goal of this initiative is to improve student achievement.

Timeline

February 25, 2008 (MA) 
February 27, 2008 (MA)
April 3, 2008 (NY)

 Application workshops

May 1, 2008

Deadline for letter of inquiry

June 4, 2008

Organizations notified if a proposal is desired

July 30, 2008

Deadline for proposals (if requested)

August - October

Proposal review

December 12, 2008

Successful applicants notified
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Description

 
Data-driven instruction refers to the practice of using student outcomes on various measures to plan curriculum and instruction. It is a system of teaching and management practices that gets better information about students into the hands of classroom teachers. Data-driven decision-making/instruction requires an important paradigm shift for teachers – from day-to-day instruction that emphasizes process and delivery in the classroom to pedagogy that is dedicated to the achievement of results. Educational practices are evaluated in light of their direct impacts on student learning. 1
 
Successful data-driven educators recognize that accepting greater responsibility for student learning can result in improved student learning outcomes.2
 
The five major elements of data-driven instruction are:
  • good baseline data
  • measurable instructional goals
  • frequent formative assessment
  • professional learning communities
  • focused instructional interventions
The successful implementation of data-driven instruction requires raw data, the commitment of classroom teachers, leadership and support from principals and district personnel, key indicators of success, and an environment that promotes openness. 
 
To implement data-driven instruction, a school or district must make an investment in professional development for teachers, principals and district-level staff often through the use of external consultants and experts, software to collect and organize data, and assessments and other supports.
 
The Foundation, through this RFP, seeks to serve as a resource to those schools and districts that have made or are making a commitment to the use of data for improved instruction and decision-making related to improved student achievement.
 
_________________________
1&2McLeod, Scott. (2005). Data-Driven Teachers. White paper retrieved January 8, 2008 from http://www.microsoft.com/education/thoughtleadersdddm.mspx 


Eligibility Requirements

 
Eligible organizations:
  • Public and diocesan school districts
  • Private and charter schools with 501(c)(3) classifications
  • Tax-exempt organizations operating schools with 501(c)(3) classifications from the Internal Revenue Service that are neither private foundations nor described as 509(a)(3) organizations
Geographic Restrictions – Eligible organizations must be located within the following geographic areas: 
Massachusetts:
  • Barnstable County
  • Dukes County
  • Essex County
  • Nantucket County
 New York:
  • Erie County
  • Niagara County
 

Grant Awards

 
Grants of up to $375,000 are available. Each grant will be for a 3-5 year time period, with grant payments made on an annual basis. Multiple awards may be made in each of the geographic areas served by the Foundation.
 
Grant awards will differ considerably. Factors used to determine the amount of a grant award include, but are not limited to: the scope of the project, the number of individuals trained, and the number of students affected.   
 
Successful applicants are required to provide a cash match equal to 10 percent of the award amount.           

 

 

 Use of Grant Funds

 
In general, the Foundation will provide funds for the incremental costs that are associated with the implementation or expansion of data-driven instruction at a classroom, school, or district level. Incremental costs are defined as costs that are new to the organization as a result of this project. 
 
For the most part, grant funds are intended to be used for:
  • professional development for teachers, principals and district-level staff
  • external consultants and trainers
  • training materials
  • software and other technologies
  • assessment materials
  • teacher release time and substitutes
  • teacher stipends for out-of-school training
 Please note that grants through this RFP do not provide funds for existing personnel expense or the hiring of new staff.
 
Grant money may not be used: 
  • for the private benefit of any grant recipient or affiliated person
  • for individual scholarships
  • for research
  • to attempt to influence legislation
  • to attempt to influence or intervene in any political campaign
  • for endowment or capital campaigns
 

Application Procedure

 
This RFP has a two-step application process: 
  1. Submission of a brief letter of inquiry.
  2. Submission of a full proposal, if requested.
The Foundation accepts one letter of inquiry from each organization per RFP cycle. The maximum length for letters of inquiry is five pages. The letter of inquiry must be signed by the applicant’s executive director, superintendent, or headmaster.
 
To be considered for a grant through this RFP, the letter of inquiry must be received by 5:00 p.m. on May 1, 2008.
 
E-mailed or faxed copies are not accepted.
 
Letters of inquiry should include the following: 
  • a brief description of the organization, school, or school district
  • the geographic area and population served
  • student demographics
  • the dollar amount requested
  • a brief description of the project for which you are requesting grant funds
  • the reasons why you wish to implement the project at this time
  • how the proposed project will improve student achievement
 Send letters of inquiry to:            
Glenda M. Cadwallader
Executive Director
The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation
2351 North Forest Road
Getzville, NY 14068-1225
 All letters of inquiry are reviewed to determine if the Foundation wishes to pursue a full proposal.  Applicants will be notified by June 4, 2008 of the result of this review. A request for a full proposal should not be interpreted as an indication of likely support. The deadline for a full proposal, if requested, is July 30, 2008.
 
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. 
 

Proposal Evaluation Criteria

 
The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals: 
  • clarity of project goals and anticipated impact
  • strength of project design
  • organizational capacity and readiness to implement and oversee the project
  • evidence of commitment by the organization’s leadership
  • likelihood that the project will be sustained after grant funding terminates 
Final decisions on grant awards are made at the sole discretion of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. 


Project Monitoring

 
Grantees are expected to meet the Foundation’s requirements for the submission of narrative and financial reports and will be required to submit periodic information regarding overall project performance, monitoring and management.  


Application Workshops

 
The Foundation will host three workshops that will focus on the RFP application process. These workshops are highly recommended for organizations that anticipate requesting a grant. Suggested attendees include senior district/school staff, program coordinators, district or school-employed grant writers. Space is limited to two persons per organization. Prior registration is required.
 
Monday, February 25, 2008 
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (registration begins at 12:30 p.m.)
Cape Codder Resort & Spa
1225 Iyanough Road
Hyannis, MA 02601
RSVP by February 13, 2008
(716) 689-0370 Ext. 207
 
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (registration begins at 12:30 p.m.)
Marriott Boston Peabody
8A Centennial Drive
Peabody, MA 01960
RSVP by February 15, 2008
(716) 689-0370 Ext. 207
 
Thursday, April 3, 2008 
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (registration begins at 12:30 p.m.)
Ramada Hotel & Conference Center
2402 North Forest Road
Getzville, NY 14068
RSVP by March 20, 2008
(716) 689-0370 Ext. 207  


RFP Contact Information

 
For more information about this RFP, please contact:
 
Glenda M. Cadwallader
Executive Director
(716) 689-0370 Ext. 204
 
Donald Matteson
Program Officer
(716) 689-0370 Ext. 207

 

 

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The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation seeks to facilitate improvement in the academic outcomes of disadvantaged youth from birth through grade 8 in ways that will lead to academic success and enhanced opportunities later in life.