Goal:
To close the achievement gap between high-achieving students and those who are falling behind.
Closing the Educational Achievement Gap
Student achievement for low-income students and students of color in Marin falls far below the achievement of more advantaged students in the County. The gap in achievement begins at an early age and increases over time. Fewer than one in five of Marin's African American or Latino high school graduates complete the coursework required to be ready for college or other post-secondary education options. Four public school districts in Marin — San Rafael City Schools, Novato Unified, Sausalito/Marin City, and Shoreline Unified — collectively account for 85% of low-income students and 82% of students of color. While each of these districts is applying selected strategies to address the achievement gap, the general lack of resources combined with the severity of State budget cuts are significant barriers to providing an equitable education to students in need.
The Marin Community Foundation believes that taking action to address the achievement gap across Marin and particularly in the four target districts will help low-income students, and students of color to:
- Enter kindergarten developmentally and socially ready to learn
- Gain proficiency in core subjects — English/Language Arts and Mathematics in the early elementary grades
- Attend high-quality schools with excellent principals and teachers
- Graduate from high school prepared to apply to, enroll in, and complete college or other post-secondary education options
Under this goal, MCF will support projects that incorporate the following strategy and approaches:
Strategy 1: Increase the number of low-income children and children of color who are prepared for academic success in school through an investment in early learning experiences, parent involvement, and extended time spent learning
There is a growing body of evidence that makes the case for an aligned, coordinated pre-kindergarten through third grade (PK-3) system for children's learning and development. Children participating in PK-3 leave each grade with the appropriate social, emotional, and academic skills they need to succeed in the next grade.
Parents are a child's first teachers. They can encourage student performance and lay the foundations for future success. Low-income parents or newcomer parents may require additional resources or knowledge to support their child's education. Time is of the essence for children who start with weaker learning foundations, especially for children learning English. Early research from schools and districts that incorporate more academic learning opportunities into afterschool time finds educational benefits for students.
A logic model for this strategy has been developed that further explains the approaches, activities, and desired impact of this goal area. Download the PDF to view it.
Process for Strategy 1:
The Foundation has issued design grants to selected community partners. This strategy will not use an open competitive process.
Strategy 2: Increase the number of low-income students and students of color who access post-secondary education ready to succeed through an investment in student preparation, college access, and coordination of providers
Higher education provides the path to opportunity: A college degree increases the probability of being employed by nearly fifty percent and multiplies expected earning potential. Without sufficient preparation through middle and high school, low-income students and students of color are more likely to need remedial coursework in post-secondary education than other populations and less likely to pass those courses.
Major barriers to college access include lack of knowledge of college options, application processes, and financial aid alternatives.
A logic model for this strategy has been developed that further explains the approaches, activities, and desired impact of this goal area. Download the PDF to view it.
Process for Strategy 2:
Register with the Grant Application Center starting December 15, 2010, which is the Open Registration Date for this strategy. This system enables you to complete and submit all application materials online.
Please read the guidelines and criteria in the PDF "Education Achivement Gap Strategy 2" before deciding to apply,
Once you have registered, please complete and submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), even if you have received funding from MCF in the past for this kind of work.
If your LOI is approved, you will be notified how to prepare and submit a full proposal, also using the Grant Application Center.
Open Registration Date: December 15, 2010
Deadline for LOI: January 7, 2011
LOI decision announced/Full Proposals invited: February 4, 2011
Deadline for Full Proposal (if invited): March 7, 2011
Strategy 3: Improve educational outcomes of low-income students and students of color through an investment in the quality of low-performing public schools
Low-income students and students of color generally attend lower performing schools. There are several proven, cost-effective models that find transformation of such schools to ones that are either very high achieving or rapidly improving. Strong principal leadership, well supported teachers, involved parents, and a school culture of high expectations that all students will achieve are elements found in quality schools. These elements lead to systems for teacher collaboration, formative assessments, data analysis, and targeted interventions focused on student success.
Process for Strategy 3:
The Foundation has invited proposals from selected school districts. This strategy will not use an open competitive process.
