Section 270.50  Criteria for the Review of Initial Proposals

a)         Applications shall be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria:

1)         Quality and Scope of the Plan (45 points)

A)        The proposal demonstrates that the training to be funded and the staff members to be involved will permit the district to offer AP courses or preparatory programs that are not currently available, or that greater numbers of students will have access to AP courses or preparatory programs, as applicable.

B)        The proposal includes plans for support for and collaboration among staff members and administrators that will result in the sequential alignment of rigorous course offerings across grade levels, culminating in Advanced Placement studies.

C)        The proposal demonstrates that the activities and materials to be supported with grant funds will enhance students' preparedness for AP courses and strengthen their ability to participate successfully.

2)         Student Recruitment and Support (25 points)

A)        The proposal provides evidence that the intended outreach and recruitment strategies respond to the needs of low-income students in the communities to be served.

B)        The proposal presents a combination of supportive elements that will strengthen low-income students' preparation for AP coursework, assist them in successful completion of the courses chosen, and enhance their likelihood of success on the culminating examinations.

3)         Need (15 points)

A)        The proposal describes the status of the applicant's instructional programs and demonstrates that students' access to rigorous academic coursework is limited by the scarcity of appropriately trained instructional staff or other necessary resources and materials.

B)        The proposal demonstrates that other sources of funding are limited to such an extent that the applicant is unable to conduct or expand the program as proposed without funding under this Part.

4)         Cost-Effectiveness and Sustainability (15 points)

A)        The scope of the proposed activities is reasonable in light of the amount of funding to be provided, and the project will be cost-effective considering the number and types of courses to be supported and the number of students to be served.

B)        The proposal gives evidence of the district's commitment to continuing efforts to foster greater participation in AP coursework by low-income students and to support them in achieving greater success and achievement in that coursework.