Application Scoring Rubric:
Education and Workforce Innovation Fund
For each section, please rate the response. The following definitions should guide your
ratings:
• Excellent (4 points): Demonstrates thorough strategies to address the topic with
clear, specific and accurate information that reflects thorough preparation. The
application goes above and beyond the minimum components.
• Adequate (2 point): The response indicates some preparation and grasp of key
issues. It contains some of the characteristics of an excellent response although
additional support or information may be needed in places.
• Inadequate (0 points): The response either fails to entirely address the selection
criteria or addresses only some of the criteria. The responses lack adequate detail
and/or raise substantial concerns about the applicant’s preparation.
Criteria
Score
1. K-12, Higher Education and Business and Industry
25%
Alignment
• Clear and specific details define the strategy to increase the rate at
which students gain academic college credit and/or workforce
credentials.
• A well-articulated partnership with business and industry
supports the goal of meeting local workforce development needs.
• A sound plan for high academic rigor for all students is evident.
2. Teacher and Administrator Development
• A full range of programs and services enhances the knowledge
and skills of teachers and administrators to successfully
implement the innovation with a specific expectation that all
students graduate both work and college ready.
• A coherent, well-defined plan provides for sustained professional
development for teachers and administrators that is both
practice- and research-based and that aligns with the goals of the
innovation.
50%
3. Curriculum and Instructional Focus
• The curriculum and instructional focus offers clear, specific
details supporting development of aligned pathways to prepare
students for both college and careers.
• A clear and coherent description of the instructional program is
provided.
• A plan exists to leverage technology to efficiently and effectively
support teacher and principal development, connect students and
teachers to online courses and resources, and engage students in
meaningful use of technology.
15%
4. Business Plan
• The application provides a realistic plan regarding the projected
sources of revenue and projected expenses that ensure financial
viability.
• The application demonstrates a plan for program sustainability
after the five-year grant.
5. Student Population (up to 1 additional bonus point)
• Transformational strategy seeks to serve a student population as
defined by G.S. 115C-238.50 (a)
(1) Students who are at risk of dropping out of school
before attaining a high school diploma.
(1a) Students with parents who did not continue
education beyond high school.
(2) Students who would benefit from accelerated academic
instruction.
• An effective student marketing and recruitment plan is presented
that will attract its targeted population (if applicable).
6. Target Economic Clusters (up to 1 additional bonus point)
• Transformational strategy develops aligned career pathways to at
least one of the NC Community College System seven target
areas:
 Agriculture, food and natural resources
 Architecture and construction
 Health Science
 Information Technology
 Manufacturing
 Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
 Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics
Total Score
10%