Highest-Rated Investing in Innovation (i3) Applicants: Graduation and College Readiness Focus

Though many of the i3 grants have important implications for high school, this week we are discussing those that are most specifically high school focused.[1] Today we summarize the winning projects designed to increase high school graduation and improve college readiness. More details about the applications are available in the abstracts linked below.

Applicant:  Council for Opportunity in Education Project:  Using Data to Inform College Access Programming in the 21st Century High School (Using DICAP) Type:  Validation Amount:  $20,264,447 Application Abstract:  http://www.data.ed.gov/grants/investing-in-innovation/applicant/14486 Summary:  Using Data to Inform College Access Programming in the 21st Century High School (Using DICAP) combines tiered school-level and student-level interventions to positively impact college enrollment and success, as well as student achievement and attainment. Targeted and whole-school interventions (including data collection and analysis) will be implemented in six schools with large percentages of high-need students. Applicant:  Niswonger Foundation Project:  Northeast Tennessee College and Career Ready Consortium Type:  Validation Amount:  $17,751,044 Application Abstract:  http://www.data.ed.gov/grants/investing-in-innovation/applicant/14513 Summary:  The Niswonger Foundation is partnering with 15 local education agencies in Appalachia to establish the Northeast Tennessee College and Career Ready Consortium. The Consortium plans to expand access to rigorous courses by: (1) creating a regional coordinating body that will analyze course supply and demand in the region and determine course needs; (2) scaling up local promising practices to offer more rigorous courses, including distance and online learning, Advanced Placement, and dual enrollment; and (3) providing new resources on college preparedness, access, and application processes via college counselors. Applicant:  Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools Project:  CollegeYes Type:  Development Amount: $4,989,786 Application Abstract:  http://data.ed.gov/grants/investing-in-innovation/applicant/15459 Summary:  CollegeYES prepares high-need middle and high school students to enroll in and graduate from college. The CollegeYES Model supports students in their STEM courses and advisory period by: (1) addressing students’ preparedness and expectations related to college; (2) helping students understand issues of college affordability and college application processes; and (3) providing support to students. Through professional development for teachers, development of a learning community, and use of a Student Technology Leader program, CollegeYES will help align curricula to new standards and integrate technology-infused rigorous project-based learning into courses. Applicant:  Take Stock in Children Inc. Project:  Facilitating Long-Term Improvements in Graduation and Higher Education for Tomorrow Type:  Development Amount:  $4,999,947 Application Abstract:  http://data.ed.gov/grants/investing-in-innovation/applicant/15583 Summary:  Take Stock in Children will partner with three local education agencies to create FLIGHT: Facilitating Long-Term Improvements in Graduation and Higher Education for Tomorrow. Goals for this project include: (1) increasing utilization of student data to identify high-need students and implement timely interventions; (2) increasing the high school graduation rate for low-income and minority students; and (3) increasing college access and success for low-income and minority students. Each participating student is guaranteed a four-year college scholarship. Applicant:  Advancement Through Opportunity and Knowledge -- Children Youth and Family Collaborative Project:  District-wide program development, expansion and evaluation of the Education Pilot Project (EPP) for foster youth and preparation for statewide scale-up Type:  Development Amount:  $3,649,580 Application Abstract:  http://data.ed.gov/grants/investing-in-innovation/applicant/1454 Summary:  This project will fund a district-wide expansion, evaluation, and preparation for state-wide scale up of the Education Pilot Project (EPP), a promising service model designed to improve academic outcomes and college enrollment of foster youth. EPP is a multi-sector partnership that will serve foster youth at 13 school sites. Each student will receive an Individualized Learning Plan and participate in intensive academic intervention, all monitored and supported by a multi-disciplinary Care Team from the Department of Children and Family Services, the schools, and partnering agencies.

We will continue tracking the i3 grants as implementation begins.  

Note: This blog post was originally authored under the auspices of the National High School Center at the American Institutes for Research (AIR). The National High School Center’s blog, High School Matters, which ran until March 2013, provided an objective perspective on the latest research, issues, and events that affected high school improvement. The CCRS Center plans to continue relevant work originally developed under the National High School Center grant. National High School Center blog posts that pertain to CCRS Center issues are included on this website as a resource to our stakeholders.