COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL REFORM GRANT RENEWAL

By Jerry Jailall, CSR Coordinator, NCDPI

Purpose

• Demonstrate the bang for the bucks.
• What difference is the initiative making? How is the school being transformed?
• What successes did you have in the 9 components and overall effort?

Problem

When impact survey responses are not clear and specific, it leads to additional information gathering calls, interviews, site visits, etc. This consumes time and inadequate information provided to us may result in a denial of additional funding.

General Guidelines in Expressing Evidence

• Grand theorizing or philosophizing does not help us. Provide specific information--what, when, where, why, how, and so what (what was the consequence/result of what you did and what does it tells us about your reform effort). Remember: Specific, not general.
• No editorializing, asserting, generalizing.
• Just the facts.
• Show, don't tell.

Surveys

• Give # of people that responded from the amount receiving surveys. Who (what groups or populations), when, why, and summarize the results and their implications (so what?).

Achievement/Participation Rates

• Show how the increases moved from a lower figure/percentage to a higher figure/ percentage; show the time frame (month and year).
• If you cite decreases, show from what to what.
• Name specific tests, instruments, programs, and strategies used.
• Whenever you give a percentage, show the number also - e.g. 5% (10).

Services/Resources

• Name the specific tasks/activities/functions done or provided & their specific effects. Give dates.