PRINCIPAL'S CHECKLIST
FOR EVALUATING EDUCATION FOUNDATION GRANT PROPOSALS

Principals, as you review proposals please keep in mind that you and your staff have to "live with" the grant if we fund it. Please make sure that everyone is comfortable with the project and will work to ensure its success. We appreciate your cooperation planning for successful programs.

The following important details will make it more likely that good projects will be funded. Consider yourself a "second eye" to spot potential issues or lack of clarity that will obstruct the progress of the grant through the process.

Feasibility

  • Are all the resources needed for the project either in the grant budget or already available?
  • Are all budget items justified in the proposal and needed for the grant to succeed?
  • Have all teachers/staff involved in the project seen the proposal and indicated a willingness to participate (e.g., use the materials, attend the workshop)
  • Will the project result in too many "missed days" by teachers or students? Will the project be too disruptive to standard programming?
  • Does the project propose to share grant equipment or "spread" the grant program around whenever this is feasible and appropriate?
  • Does the grant support your goals?

Professional Development Criteria

Funding requests for professional development activity must comply with the following criteria:

  • It must be related to one's professional assignment and pertain to the improvement of student learning and achievement.
  • It may not be a course/activity taken for credit in a graduate level degree program.
  • It must take place between the close of school in June and the start of school in September.
  • The costs covered are limited to tuition/registration and/or relevant materials or fees.
  • If other teachers are applying for the same activity, please let us know (or we will let you know) and we will ask that you coordinate your applications in order to obtain a group discount, if available.
  • No travel expenses, meals or hotel accommodations will be funded. (Exception: Dormitory accommodations/meals included in the tuition may be considered.)

Format

  • No cover page should be attached.
  • If more than one teacher is writing the grant, one person should be listed as the contact person in case questions arise. E-mail address should be included.
  • Is the LTEF format adhered to in the proposal?
  • Has proofreading been done?

General Issues

If you do not understand clearly the project's main intent, its scope/impact or its methods, we will probably not "get" it either. Please ask the teacher to consider rewriting portions of the grant that are unclear or confusing. The grant will have a much better chance of succeeding if those issues are ironed out ahead of time.

School District Resources & Costs

Any resources that are expected to be made available by the district (substitute teachers, facilities) should be listed along with an indication of whose budget will absorb the cost.

Submission

We require that requests be submitted electronically. Have your teachers attach their requests to an email and send it to you. Use this checklist to review the proposals and then indicate your approval before forwarding the proposal to the Office of Instructional Services at LTEFgrants@ltps.org. Teachers should NOT email proposals directly to OIS. Proposals must be emailed by 4:00 PM on the deadline date.