Thursday, August 27, 2009

New report addresses keeping Latinas in school and preparing them for college.

According to a new report issued by the National Women’s Law Center and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, forty-one percent of Latina students do not graduate with their class in four years—if they graduate at all. Listening to Latinas: Barriers to High School Graduation, explores the causes of the dropout crisis for Latinas and identifies the actions needed to improve their graduation rates and get them ready for college.

Both the full report and the executive summary are available on the National Women’s Law Center’s Listening to Latinas webpage. Other resources available on the page include resources and information on Latina drop-out prevention for schools, and for local, state and federal policymakers.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

New Look Project Funding Application Deadline Extended; Specialized Applicant Resources Available

In an effort to be responsive to the Field, the Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support (ICSPS) and the Illinois Community College Board announce an extension of the deadline for the applications for funding through the FY10 New Look Project. Applications are now due to icsps@ilstu.edu no later than Thursday, September 18th, 2009.

Additionally, ICSPS is proud to announce the launch of the New Look Project Website, www.icsps.ilstu.edu/newlook. The new site offers applicants and participants a wide variety of tools and information in an easy-to-navigate resource.

The Applicant Resource section of the New Look website provides potential and current applicants assistance with an application walk-through, an application rubric, and other helpful documents, as well as personalized technical assistance through phone (309) 454-4944 or e-mail.

The New Look Project is a technical assistance program which provides financial, programmatic, and resource support, and professional development to assist in the implementation of research-based program improvement efforts for CTE special populations learners. Applicants and participants are guided through the 6-step New Look Program Improvement Process, leading educational entities to better programmatic and instructional offerings for Perkins special populations learners. This guidance emphasizes examination of local data, research into root causes and effective strategies, measureable goal-setting, and deliberate feedback to impact local decision-making.

The FY10 application for funding is available. Applications must be received no later than Thursday, September 18th, 2009. Financial awards ranging from $500 to $3500 will be awarded this fall to eligible Illinois postsecondary institutions.