Grants Narrative Statement of Need - Fleishhacker Foundation Education Program - Assignment Example

Lecturer Application for Grants to Improve Education Infrastructure of Twenty Schools in San Francisco (Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco - $1,000,000) Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco, San Francisco. www.boysandgirlsclub.com June 4th, 2014 The Grants Director, Fleishhacker Foundation Education Program, San Francisco. www.fleishhackerfoundation.com Ref: Application for Grants to Improve Education Infrastructure ($1,000,000) The Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco is hereby applying for grants for education infrastructure valued at $1,000,000. The main objective of the Club is to ensure proper education standards in San Francisco. Many public schools in Francisco are underfunded by the government. The infrastructure can therefore be increased through accessibility of adequate financial resources. Proper education infrastructure makes the learning process of students and teachers effective. The total budget expenditure is $1,000,000. The average monthly spending for this project is (1,000,000 /12) = $83,333. This will be utilized for the entire project duration of twelve months. The Boys and Girls Club have an effective project method in place. The project will take a total duration of one year, from 1st July 2014 to 30th June 2015. Improving education infrastructure in public schools will enable children from low income households complete education processes successfully. Sincerely, Programs Director Executive Summary The Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco is a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) which operates in the San Francisco region of the United States of America. The main objective of the Boys and Girls Club is to ensure proper education standards in San Francisco, at all education levels. One way of ensuring quality education is through the provision of suitable education infrastructure. Education infrastructures are the equipments, technologies utilities and facilities which enhance education service delivery and learning (John 36). This funding proposal is submitted to the Fleishhacker Foundation Education Program. The funding proposal was made possible through the advertisement for application for grants in the website of the Fleishhacker Foundation education Program, for the year 2014. The value of the grant applied for is $1,000,000. This represents a statistically average allocation of $50,000 to each of the twenty schools in San Francisco. The twenty schools are all public; and they are divided into four categories for adequate representation of the education sector: five preschools, five elementary schools, five middle schools and five high schools. The five preschools represented in this grant proposal are; Slippery Fish, Big City Montessori School, Puddle Jumpers Workshop, Little People School, and Stretch the Imagination. Represented elementary schools are; Clarendon, Lawton Alternative, Shermon, Stevenson and Ulloa. Represented middle schools are; Roosevelt, Aptos, Hoover, Marina, and Presidion. Lastly, represented high schools are; Lowell, Balboa, Lincoln, Wallenberg, and Galileo. The vision of the Boys and Girls Club is “to ensure world class education standards in San Francisco.” The mission is “to compliment the state and federal governments’ efforts in providing and improving education infrastructure in San Francisco.” Statement of Need Many public schools in Francisco are underfunded by the government. This leads to inadequate investments in the infrastructure required for effective education (Jennings 71). Some of the education infrastructure which are underfunded include; information technology, sporting and recreation facilities, library, laboratories, class room furniture, security infrastructure, sanitary facilities, and school buildings. Maintenance and renovation of these education infrastructures is also underfunded. More than 50% of the public schools do not receive adequate funding from the government; this is because the federal and state budgeting processes do not allocate extra financial resources to the Department of Education, for infrastructure development. The infrastructure in public schools can therefore be increased through accessibility of adequate financial resources. The finances are utilized in implementation of new infrastructure projects, or renovating existing education facilities. Proper education infrastructure makes the learning process of students and teachers comfortable and effective; this translated to good academic performance (Dorn 102). For example, proper and effective information technology infrastructure gives students easy access to electronic books. These e-books provide a lot of information which can be used by the students when conducting academic researches. Effective academic research illustrates superior academic standards of both the student and the school. This project, initiated by the Boys and Girls Club, illustrates an example of how local community organizations (throughout the USA) can participate in improving the education standards of their societies. Public schools can be developed by the society, in addition to the assistance got from the federal or state governments. One way of developing public schools is through providing adequate education infrastructure (Dillon 41). The education infrastructure will spearhead academic excellence of the schools found in the community. Upon completion of the education infrastructure improvement project, the Boys and Girls Club will make a project report which will be accessible to other community organizations and education institutions, as a case study on how community can effectively participate in education issues. In San Francisco, private schools have superior education infrastructure than public schools (Department of Education 1003g). This is a serious education problem because inequality in education is clearly illustrated. Students in private schools utilize superior education facilities, than their counterparts in public schools. This education inequality translates in academic performance. Students in private schools, who effectively use education infrastructure, realize high academic performance. This situation can be remedied if infrastructure development in public schools is seriously implemented. This project addresses the quality education needs in the most effective manner. The success of all the education stakeholders in San Francisco is directly dependent on education infrastructure. Teachers will teach effectively if they have adequate reference materials; this is provided with proper manual and online library infrastructure. In the online library, the teacher will access many instructional materials. The students will improve their academic performances if they utilize proper laboratory equipments; this is especially so in science classes. Education equipments like computers should also be secured; this prevents against physical theft and unauthorized use of computers (Brint & Karabel 55). Students store learning materials like academic papers in school computers, therefore, the safety infrastructure should be effective. The Project Description In the project description section, Boys and Girls Club focuses on the objectives and goals of the project, and also project methods, staffing and administration, project evaluation and project sustainability. The goal of this infrastructure development project in the education sector of San Francisco is; to improve academic performance of low income children in public schools, through provision of adequate education infrastructure. In order to effectively and efficiently realize this goal, adequate financial resources must be available; this grant request aims at realizing the financial need (Brint & Karabel 80). The Boys and girls Club have four many objectives which will lead towards realization of the project main goal. The first objective is to identify public schools with more than 50% needy students. This objective was realized through conducting schools need assessment through the interview and questionnaire methods of collecting information (John 12). The second objective of the project is to put in place proper project management plan. This has already been realized. Adequate school infrastructure development plan was developed with the assistance of school administrators, the students, and members of the San Francisco community. Third objective of this project is to ensure adequate resources are available. Some community members agreed to volunteer computers and textbooks once the project is initiated. Other members agreed to volunteer their services and work in team with project staffs to realize goal. The fourth objective entails ensuring stakeholder support for the project, and also ensuring project sustainability. The administrators of the schools have agreed to support any program that improves the academic performance of children from low income households (Dillon 23). The Boys and Girls Club have an effective project Method in place. The education infrastructure project will take a total duration of one year, from 1st July 2014 to 30th June 2015. The method is divided in three major phases; the project initiation, project implementation, and project closeout. Monitoring and evaluation will be conducted in all the phases of the project method. Project Initiation will take duration of two months (16.5%). Project implementation will utilize eight months (67%), and project closeout phase will take two months (16.5%). The project initiation stage entails planning activities. For example setting project goals and objectives; one objective of the project is identification of potential beneficiaries of the project, this is easily realized through collecting information on needy students from low income households through interviews with school administrators. Looking for adequate resources for the project is also part of planning. Boys and Girls Club is presenting this grant proposal as part of meeting adequate finances target. Project implementation involves utilizing project resources in order to realize objectives (Dillon 36). The human resources available are expected to actually provide or improve infrastructure in public schools; for example equipping the school library with adequate and appropriate textbooks. Project closeout is the last stage of this project. It aims at ensuring that the school administrators are well equipped to effectively manage the provided infrastructure, and ensure sustainability. The school administrators should be prepared to effectively manage the education infrastructure provided; for example physical exercise facilities like swimming pools should be continuously cleaned and maintained. The project sustainability will be ensured through making school administrators responsible for future maintenance of the initiated education projects. Monitoring measures will be utilized in ensuring efficient and effective utilization of resources, for example strict adherence to the budget (Dorn 30). Evaluation of the project will be done after the closeout phase, to confirm if intended project goal is achieved. Project staffing and administration is necessary for any project. The Boys and Girls Club will provide ten workers who will provide services on voluntary basis. Out of these volunteer staffs; five will be unskilled, and five skilled. In addition the Club intends to employ 10 more workers on one year contract terms. All the employed ten workers will be professionals in their respective fields. Two professional teachers will be responsible for advising the Club’s management on the most urgent education infrastructure in individual schools. Two accountants will be responsible for efficient management of financial records of the project. 2 computer experts will be responsible for installing Education Information Systems in the public schools; this will assist needy students in accessing learning materials online (John 51). One project manager with two assistants will be responsible for the overall management of the project. Three security personnel will be used in ensuring security of the physical components of the education infrastructure. One public relations officer will ensure sound relationship between the project management and the media or members of the public. Two maintenance engineers will be responsible for facility repairs. Two drivers will be employed to transport project resources. One legal officer will be required to provide legal advice during all stages of project management, and finally one office clerk will be responsible for keeping project records. Project Evaluation will be conducted at three stages; before initiating the project, in the middle of project cycle, and after completion of the project (Dillon 31). The first evaluation entails needs assessment; this involves identifying the percentage of low income children in all schools in San Francisco. Schools with more than 50% needy student population are then studied; to determine the most necessary infrastructure which will improve education standards of students. The second evaluation aims at identifying the resource utilization of the project. Resources must be utilized according to plan like budget, in an effective and efficient manner. The last evaluation is done to confirm whether project objectives and overall goals are met. This last evaluation also analyzes the sustainability level of the completed project. Project sustainability is very important. Boys and Girls Club desire a favorable project impact which is; realization of world class education services for students from low income households, in San Francisco. This impact can only be realized though effective sustainability measures. Our project of improving education infrastructure will be sustainable through ensuring community ownership of the project. This will be realized by encouraging community member to volunteer in project activities; and also volunteer resources where possible. A community will manage an education project properly in future if they consider it their own (Dillon 43). Project Budget Item Description Monthly Cost ($) Annual Cost ($) Staff Salary 1,000 by 10 contracted staffs 10,000 120,000 Transport Expenses Project Staffs will work in all the 20 project stations 10,000 120,000 Hiring Project Offices Project activities will be managed from the offices 5,000 60,000 Installing (PMS) Project Management System Project stakeholders make project decisions using this Information System 100,000 Middle Schools Constructing and equipping the library; in 5 middle schools 100,000 High Schools Installing education Information system, for academic research in 5 high schools 100,000 Elementary Schools Constructing and Equipping the library; in 5 elementary schools 100,000 Preschools Installing physical education infrastructure; in 5 preschools 100,000 Classroom Renovations Damaged school classes repair; and furniture installation in all schools 100,000 School Laboratory Lab equipment and reagents installation or purchase; in middle and high schools 100,000 Total Project Costs 1,000,000 Budget Analysis The total budget expenditure is $1,000,000. The average monthly spending for this project is (1,000,000/12) = $83,333. The 10 volunteer staffs are not factored in this budget. This will be utilized for the entire project duration of twelve months. Each contracted staff will be given a monthly salary of $1,000, as per contract agreements. The ten contracted staffs will be given $10,000 per month. Boys and Girls Club do not own vehicles, therefore the project budget must provide for transportation expenses; this translates to an average of $10,000 per months. Boys and Girls Club will depend on hired offices during the project duration. The hired offices must also be equipped with Project Management Information system, which will assist in monitoring and evaluating project progress. This will cost $160,000. The main education infrastructure project implementation will take $600,000. This represents 60% of the entire project budget. The total cost of the education infrastructure in relation to the total project cost is illustrated in the bar graph below. Organizational Information Boys and Girls Club believe that all children in San Francisco deserve high quality education, which will enable them became responsible citizens of San Francisco in particular, and the Unites States of America in general, in future. Boys and Girls Club prides itself in striving to provide safe environment which is necessary for academic excellence of students; with a special focus on children from low income households in San Francisco. Ensuring that all children from low income households; graduate from high schools and join university and colleges is one of our main desires. This grant proposal indicates our desire to improve education infrastructure in public schools; which will translate into better academic environment for children from the low income households (Brint & Karabel 18). Our Education directors have the adequate expertise in ensuring effective implementation and management of the education infrastructure project. Conclusion Improving education infrastructure in public schools will enable children from low income households complete education processes successfully. San Francisco Unified School District is one of the largest school districts found in California. The average graduation rate is 66%. An ethnic breakdown of this data reveals a worrying trend in the education sector; African Americans graduation rate is 49%, Latino 48%, Asian 76%, and white 64%. Less than 50% of African and Latino Americans graduated from the high schools in San Francisco. Majority of African Americans and Latino Americans come from low income households; and this explains the high rates of high school drop outs. Low income children cannot afford to study in schools which have all the required academic infrastructures; due to the high fees charged. This calls for a project like ours that will make good education infrastructure accessible to many children as possible. Works Cited Brint, S. & Karabel, J. The Diverted Dream: Community colleges and the promise of educational opportunity in America, 1900–1985. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1989. Print. Department of Education. Guidance on School Improvement Grants Under Section 1003(g) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Washington, DC: Department of Education, 2010. Print. Dillon, S. U.S. Effort to Reshape Schools Faces Challenges. New York: The New York Times. 2009. Print. Dorn, Sherman. Creating the Dropout: An Institutional and Social History of School Failure. Praeger, 1996. Print. Jennings, J. Rethinking the Federal Role in Elementary and Secondary Education. Washington, DC: Center on Education Policy, 2010. Print. John L. Education and Social Change: Themes in the History of American Schooling. California: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. 2002. Print. Read More