School Systems Committed to Improving Postsecondary Student Outcomes

Posted by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on April 30, 2018

Gates Foundation Seeks School Systems Committed to Improving Postsecondary Student Outcomes
Please Read and Share with Partner Districts and CMOs

Yesterday, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced the “To and Through” Advising Challenge, which will support up to 20 U.S. school systems during 2018-19 to plan and prepare to adopt a “to and through” approach to postsecondary advising for their high school students beginning in 2019-20. Because grant proposals are due May 31, NCAN wanted to make you aware of this request for proposals as soon as possible.

Although your organization may not be a candidate to apply directly for the challenge, NCAN encourages our members to read about the opportunity and share it with school districts or charter management organizations you work with that could be good candidates to apply. School systems that receive the grants will be encouraged to deepen and formalize relationships with community-based organizations as one important way to providing strong postsecondary advising to more students.

Grant recipients will:

• Participate in a year-long community of practice, receive individualized coaching and technical assistance, and benefit from access to effective models, tools, and practices;
• Receive National College Access Network membership and conference registration;
• Receive $75,000 in grant funds during the 2018-19 school year;
• Receive an additional $15,000 to support continued measurement and improvement practices in school year 2019-2020; and
• Be eligible to apply for additional implementation funds for school years 2019-20 and beyond.

The challenge is open to local education agencies, including traditional school districts and charter management organizations. The Foundation also welcomes applications from partnerships that span across school districts and/or charters. Large school systems may choose to apply for a subset of their schools (with a clear goal of full system implementation). The Foundation seeks a variety of applicants, including rural, suburban, and urban districts or charter management organizations, and encourages creative partnerships with college access organizations and other community partners.

Applicants should directly serve a student population of which at least 50 percent are Black, Latino, and/or low-income (students who qualify for free or reduced-priced lunch). Grant recipients will be notified in early July so work can begin in August. The Foundation will hold a webinar for prospective applicants during the week of May 7. See the challenge website for full details: http://k12education.gatesfoundation.org/to-and-through-rfp/

Thank you for spreading the word about this opportunity!