The “To and Through” Advising Challenge

Posted by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on May 7, 2018

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation envisions a future in which all students in the United States have access to educational opportunities, from Pre-K to postsecondary, that enable them to develop the knowledge, skills, and agency needed to thrive as adults and contribute to their communities. To reach this vision, we support initiatives towards a goal that more students are on track, from Pre-K to postsecondary, to obtain a postsecondary credential with labor market value, such that race/ethnicity and income are no longer predictors of outcomes.

Our K-12 strategy supports a variety of initiatives to improve student outcomes that are predictive of high school graduation and postsecondary success. Our investments include Networks for School Improvement (NSIs), which support schools to solve common problems by using evidence-based interventions that best fit their needs. In a select set of high impact areas, such as supporting students’ transition from high school to postsecondary education, we are also investing to generate knowledge, tools, and practices that schools can use to improve outcomes for students across the country.

The Advising Challenge will support up to 20 school systems to enact the conditions & develop capabilities needed to adopt a “to and through” approach to advising for high school students. Below, please find details on why we are launching this challenge, the grant awards, grantee commitments, key outcomes and indicators, grantmaking criteria and timeline, and links to frequently asked questions. Applications are due on May 31st.

We will hold an optional webinar on May 8, 2018 from 1:00pm – 2:00pm Eastern / 10:00am – 11:00am Pacific for prospective applicants to learn more and ask questions. Please register in advance to access the webinar, which will also be recorded and available for future viewing.

http://k12education.gatesfoundation.org/to-and-through-rfp/