Grants will support these four schools in developing a comprehensive plan that draws upon the successful practices identified via our research and upon established and innovative practices and programs designed by each school. Utilizing the data underlying the school’s Progress Report, Periodic Assessment outcomes, and the recommendations in its most recent Quality Review, and working with each school’s Inquiry Team(s), School Support Organization and Comprehensive Educational Plan, School Leadership Teams are encouraged to create a coherent plan to meet the specific needs of their students and improve their performance significantly. To ensure that schools have the resources and time to carry out the thorough and in depth planning needed to create such a comprehensive plan, there are two phases to the grant process:

• Phase 1 – Planning Grants: These schools have been awarded participation in this planning phase which will last through early January. The goal of this planning phase is to provide schools with sufficient time to develop a robust plan for improving their students’ performance, and will be accompanied by supports outlined in subsequent sections of this application. All schools, including those not selected to receive a planning grant, may receive professional development support to help them develop comprehensive implementation plans for their schools.

• Phase 2 – Implementation Grants: After conducting extensive planning, schools selected for planning grants may submit an application for an implementation grant, due January 16, 2009. Please note that we do not expect that all schools selected for planning grants will receive implementation grants. However, all schools, including those not selected to receive an implementation grant, may receive professional development support to assist in implementation.