Principal Support Grant Application
OVERVIEW
Principals are the leaders of instructional change in schools.
The most important work they lead instructionally is to:
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Set goals and direction for the school with a focus on
academic improvement.
Implement structures and processes for the team
(teachers, supervisors, school leaders) designed to
improve instruction through skill development and a
focus on constant improvement.
Evaluate and provide feedback to all teachers, school
leaders rely on multiple measures, as part of these
structures and processes.
The Department of Education seeks to empower principals as they leverage Compass to support teacher learning.
The Department will release The Principal Guidebook (available mid-April, 2015) which brings together the academic
tools available to support principals with this work (e.g. standards, curricula, aligned assessments, teacher training,
goal setting and observation tools). In addition, the Department will provide grants to districts that have a
comprehensive principal support plan and strategies for leveraging TAP/NIET Best Practices and/or The Principal
Fellowship.
OPPORTUNITIES
Through this grant, the Department will support two key initiatives. Districts grant applications may include one or
both opportunities.
TAP (see page 3): This initiative helps principals and schools implement effective practices for teacher
collaboration, observation and feedback, goal setting, and teacher leaders. Districts may choose to implement
the full TAP System in one or more schools and/or choose to implement a differentiated set of NIET (TAP) Best
Practices.
Principal Fellowship (see page 4): This program supports individual principals build their instructional leadership
skill through a sixteen-month cohort collaboration training. This school year over over 100 principals across
Louisiana will kick off the state’s first cohort.
CONTENTS
Timeline and Process (page 2)
Application Scoring Criteria (page 2)
TAP/NIET Best Practices Overview (page 3)
Principal Fellowship Overview (page 4)
Application (page 6)
Appendix A: Questions for Consideration (page 8)
Posted: April 7, 2015
Principal Support Grant Application
TIMELINE AND PROCESS
Date
Event
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Application released (see page 5)
Wednesday, April 8, 2 PM
Wednesday, April 15, 2 PM
Principal Support Webinar
 Audio access: (800) 832-0736 / room number: 1184454
 April 8 webinar link:
https://louisianaschools.adobeconnect.com/principalsupport1/
 April 15 webinar link:
https://louisianaschools.adobeconnect.com/principalsupport2/
April, 2015
LDE-District Consultation
 The Department will work individually with LEAs on their applications as
requested.
 Consultations may include identifying district-specific options, associated
costs and district funding options, grant application preparation.
 Please email compass@la.gov if you are interested in a consultation.
Thursday, May 7 2015
All applications due to the Department of Education (compass@la.gov)
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
All districts notified about their grant status
APPLICATION SCORING CRITERIA
The strength of the application will be assessed on the LEA’s response to the components the below.
District Principal Support
 Identifies needs of principals in district
 Illustrates how the initiative(s) from the grant support the principal needs identified above
 Explains how the initiative(s) fits with the following:
o Additional district-wide principal support
o District-wide teacher support
Program Sustainability and Expansion Plan
 Utilizes grant funds effectively
 Includes a plan to sustain and expand principal support efforts beyond the grant period
Posted: April 7, 2015
Principal Support Grant Application
TAP/NIET BEST PRACTICES OVERVIEW
The Louisiana Department of Education Expansion of TAP/NIET Best Practices Initiative 2015-2016 is part of
Louisiana’s ongoing efforts to support principals in their work to improve teaching and learning. The LDOE is
partnering with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) to expand the reach of successful best
practices of TAP™ in a customized and district-tailored fashion. The department believes this expanded and
customized approach will allow principals to build on their current efforts in a manner that best addresses the needs
of their schools to:
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Set goals and direction with a sharpened focus on student needs and academic improvement;
Implement learning teams that improve instruction and develop shared leadership; and
Utilize multiple measures as part of continuing efforts to evaluate, support, and provide feedback to all
teachers.
Model Options for Expansion of TAP/NIET Best Practices
The department has identified three different options for leaders to consider as a participant in the 2015-2016
Expansion of TAP/NIET Best Practices Initiative.
Option 1: Individual Best Practices: Implement one or more of the NIET Best Practices throughout the district or at
targeted school sites in a customized fashion to build on current district structures and varied school needs.
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District will identify a particular need or area of support for principals (e.g. building collaborations; observing
teachers and providing feedback; implementing shared leadership structures).
District will select a specific TAP Best Practice to address the identified need
In collaboration with NIET Best Practices Center, the district will provide training and support to principals
around that practice.
Option 2: Targeted School(s): Implement full TAP at one or more schools in the district, while other schools in the
district may customize the use of one or more TAP Best Practices.
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District will identify a subset of schools within the district, based on identified needs of the schools, in which
full TAP implementation will serve as the support structure for the principals.
District may identify one or more TAP Best Practices that will be utilized to support principals across the nonTAP schools.
Option 3: District-Wide: Implement full TAP across all of the schools in the district. District will choose to implement
the 4-key elements of TAP in all schools across the district.
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District will develop a strategy and timeline for identifying schools for TAP implementation over a period of
years.
For more information on TAP, model options, and associated costs review this overview or TAP’s website.
For more information on the Department’s support for TAP implementation review this power point.
Posted: April 7, 2015
Principal Support Grant Application
PRINCIPAL FELLOWHIP OVERVIEW
This sixteen month cohort training will bring together a group of over 100 principals from across the state to build
the skills to excel in instructional leadership. Principals who have been in their role and have the basic components of
management in place are ideal candidates for this opportunity.
The Department will partner with The National Institute for School Leadership (NISL) to support this fellowship. NISL
is a leading provider of high-quality, research-based leadership development programs designed to give district and
school leaders the critical knowledge and skills to be instructional leaders and improve student achievement.
The Executive Development Program for School Leaders (EDP) is about training current school and district leaders in
the leadership skills they need for success in an era of standards-based education and accountability. The EDP is a
sustained, job-embedded program that emphasizes the role of principals as strategic thinkers, instructional leaders
and creators of a just, fair and caring culture in which all students meet high standards.
This fellowship will require participants to commit to at least two, in person days of training for each unit of study.
NISL Executive Development Program Units
Phase One Curriculum
Course 1: World-Class Schooling: Vision and Goals (July – October, 2015)
 Unit 1: The Educational Challenge
 Unit 2: Principal as Strategic Thinker
 Unit 3: Elements of Standards-Based Education and School Design
 Unit 4: Foundations of Effective Learning
Course 2: Focusing on Teaching and Learning (November, 2015 – April, 2016)
 Unit 5: Leadership for Excellence in Literacy
 Unit 6: Leadership for Excellence in Mathematics
 Unit 7: Leadership for Excellence in Science
 Unit 8: Promoting Professional Learning
Phase Two Curriculum
Course 3: Developing Capacity and Commitment (May – June, 2016)
 Unit 9: Principal as Instructional Leader and Team Builder
 Unit 10: Principal as Ethical Leader
Course 4: Driving for Results (July – August, 2016)
 Unit 11: Principal as Driver of Change
 Unit 12: Leading for Results
PROGRAM COSTS
The costs associated with participating in the Principal Fellowship Program include a per person training cost
($12,600 for principals and $15,750 for staff who will be future district facilitators). Travel and other associated costs
are not included in this estimate. Budgets related to the Fellowship may not include funds expended for salaries,
stipends or program supplies. Meetings will be held in four locations across the state, likely not requiring overnight
stays for participants.
For more information on the NISL fellowship program, review materials available on the NISL website.
For more information on the Department’s support for the Principal Fellowship review this power point.
Posted: April 7, 2015
Principal Support Grant Application
APPLICATION
PRINCIPAL GRANT APPLICATION STEPS
 Determine district needs and plans for request (If you would like support from our office as you
build your application, please email us at compass@la.gov)
 Complete the basic information portion of the application
 Complete the project budget description
 Complete the program application portion of the application
 Send one email with all portions of the application to compass@la.gov by 5:00 PM on Thursday, May 7th
BASIC INFORMATION
District:
Name of district contact:
District contact email Address:
District contact phone number:
Grant application: Check which program(s) your requested grant will support and total funds requested.
Program
Check if grant will cover
Funds Requested
TAP
Principal
Fellowship
Total funds Request*
*Recommended funding range per district: $25,000-$75,000
Posted: April 7, 2015
Principal Support Grant Application
PROJECT BUDGET DESCRIPTION
Matching Funds (if applicable)
Please provide a brief description of the funds your district will contribute to this program. Matching funds may
also include funds provided through a partner entity.
Budget Form
Allocations for 7/1/15 through 6/30/16. Please only complete the column for the program you are requesting funds
for. If you are applying for funds for TAP and the Principal Fellowship, you will complete both columns.
EXPENDITURE CATEGORY
TAP
Salaries
Stipends (excludes funds for performance pay for
teachers and school leaders, but may include addendums
for mentor and master teachers.)
FELLOWSHIP
Funds cannot be
expended for this
Funds cannot be
expended for this
Purchased Professional/Technical Services (PD services)
Other Purchased Services (travel, printing, etc.)
Program Supplies
Funds cannot be
expended for this
Other Objects (fees, dues, etc.)
Total Allocations
Budget Narrative Include a description of how the funds will be spent for each of the categories identified above.
BUDGET ITEM
DESCRIPTION
TOTAL
ALLOCATION
Salaries and Stipends
Purchased
Professional/Technical
Services
Other Purchased
Services
Supplies
Other Objects
Posted: April 7, 2015
Principal Support Grant Application
PROGRAM APPLICATION
If you are applying for funds for both programs please complete both sections.
Appendix A is a set of questions to consider as you develop your plan. You are not required to respond directly to the
questions in Appendix A, they are simply there to support your district planning process, please use as helpful.
TAP/NIET BEST PRACTICES EXPANSION
Only complete this section for TAP/NIET Best Practices expansion. Responses should total no more than 3 pages.
1. Option Selected: Of the three options (Louisiana TAP/NIET Best Practices Expansion Overview), which option
have you identified as meeting the needs of your district? Include a description of the needs identified that will
be addressed through implementation and how the decision was made, including who was involved in the
decision process.
2. Targeted Schools and/or Practices. Depending on which option you select, provide the requested information.
a. Option 1: Which NIET best practice(s) will be implemented? Will the best practice be implemented
district-wide or at a targeted set of schools? If specific schools, identify school sites by name, grade
levels served, and student enrollment. Identify the school sites where implementation will take place and
provide a description including grade levels served, total student enrollment and a staffing overview
(leadership, student support, instructional, etc.). Provide rationale for selected sites.
b. Option 2: In which school sites will full TAP implementation occur? Which TAP Best Practice(s) will be
implemented across the non-TAP schools? Provide rationale for selected sites.
c. Option 3: In which school sites will full TAP implementation occur in 2015-2016? Briefly describe the
projected growth of TAP over the next 3 years towards reaching full TAP implementation in all schools.
3. District Support. Describe how this expansion effort will integrate with and complement other principal support
and teacher leader efforts within the district. Include a brief overview of district-level commitment and districtlevel staff who will work directly on this effort. Include brief summary of any current or past TAP efforts within
the district; identify how those efforts will support the proposed expansion; identify partnerships with other
entities to strengthen principal support efforts.
PRINCPIAL FELLOWSHIP
Only complete this section Principal Fellowship participation. Responses should total no more than 3 pages.
1. Targeted Schools and Principal.
a. List the specific principals/assistant principals and district staff who will join this cohort including basic
information about them and the school they lead. The Department recommends that districts send a
cohort so that lessons learned through the Fellowship can be supported back in the district.
b. How did you select the principals to join this program?
2. District Support. Describe how this initiative will integrate with and complement other principal support and
teacher leader efforts within the district. Include a brief overview of district-level commitment and district-level
staff who will work directly with this effort. Include a brief summary of what additional support you will provide
the principals in this group (including future collaboration opportunities) to ensure their training is successful and
long-lasting; identify partnerships with other entities to strengthen principal support efforts.
Posted: April 7, 2015
Principal Support Grant Application
APPENDIX A: QUESTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
Components
District Support:
Structures and Resources
LDE Resources:
Instructional Leadership
Guidebook and Professional
Learning Modules
LDE Direct Support:
TAP and/or NIET Best
Practices Expansion
LDE Direct Support:
Principal Fellowship
Questions to Consider
•
What structures and resources are currently in place to
support principals as instructional leaders?
•
What impact have these structures had relative to improving
student achievement and teacher effectiveness?
•
Have we identified specific needs as we plan to support
principals in 2015-2016?
•
How do the resources and direct support initiatives provided
by the Department respond to these needs?
•
In the past, how have resources been included in principal
collaboratives to support their work as instructional leaders?
What opportunities exist to expand this effort?
•
Related to the new resources being released, what specific
needs do they have the potential to address? How will we
incorporate these tools into our 2015-2106 Principal Support
Plan?
•
Does this initiative respond to identified principal support and
instructional improvement needs in the district or at individual
schools?
•
Are there questions we need answered as we consider how to
integrate this initiative into our work to support principals?
•
Have you identified current principals who are positioned to
deepen their knowledge, skills and confidence as instructional
leaders?
•
Are there aspiring leaders (assistant principals) who would
benefit from learning what it means to lead a school to higher
performance so they are ready to move successfully into a
principal role?
Posted: April 7, 2015