HomeMy WebLinkAboutApplications_San Luis Coastal Education Foundation DEI 2022 Application (1)Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
2022-2023 GRANT FUNDING FOR HIGH IMPACT DE&I PROJECTS
Pl e ase provi de al l re que ste d i nformati on be f ore submi tti ng your appl i cati on. Please be as spe cific as possible !
I f accommoda on or assistance is n eed ed in co mple ng this A pplica on, or if a paper ve rsion is prefe rre d, ple ase
contact (805) 781-7100 or D EI@slocity.org
Organization Name :*
Y e ar Establishe d:*
Fiscal Age nt, if diffe re nt than abov e :*
Tax ID #:*
Docume nt Ce rtifying Fe de ral Tax-Exe mpt status, if applicable
Name of Exe cutiv e Dire ctor (or highe st le ade rship position)
Approximate Annual Budge t:
M ajor Source s of Funding:
M ission State me nt:
Numbe r of paid staff (full- or part-time ):
Numbe r of v olunte e rs:
Name of Board Pre side nt or Chair:
Organizational Le ade rship Chart *
Name of Pe rson comple ting this Application:
PART 1: APPLICANT INFORMATION
San Luis Coastal Education Foundation
2017
N/A
824196024
IRS 501c3 Determination Letter.pdf 69.47KB
Christine Robertson
719,000
Foundation endowment and community fundraising
San Luis Coastal Education Foundation’s mission is to provide resources and opportunities for excellence
in teaching, promote innovation in learning, and partner with the community to enhance the quality of
education for all students.
2
25
David Mitchell
SLCEF org chart 8.22.pdf 43.39KB
Becca Carsel
Organization M ailing Addre ss:*
Phone :*
E-mail:*
Brie fly de scribe your organization’s mission, primary activ itie s, and ope rating structure s.
De scribe the community(ie s) your organization supports.
Name of DE&I Proje ct *
City
San Luis Obispo
State / Province / Region
CA
Postal / Zip Code
93401
Country
USA
Street Address
1500 Lizzie Street
Address Line 2
805-549-1300
crobertson@slcusd.org
As the district’s innovation arm, the San Luis Coastal Education Foundation works to foster a collaborative
community of learning in which the best ideas are surfaced, supported, and shared. We are future-
focused, working to elevate all students and prepare them to compete in a rapidly changing and dynamic
world.
The San Luis Coastal Education Foundation works to achieve its mission by making investments toward
the following goals:
* Elevate opportunity and achievement for all students by fostering an inclusive culture of deep and
continuous learning.
* Eliminate barriers to student achievement.
* Empower teachers to dream big and pursue cutting-edge innovations in teaching.
* Engage the community in ensuring a quality education that prepares our students for future personal and
professional success.
The Foundation has an independent but integrated relationship with the school district. The Foundation is
led by a separate governing board, but includes representatives from the district’s Board of Trustees and
district administration. This ensures that the district is actively involved in shaping the Foundation’s
programs to ensure effective implementation and sustainable adoption. The Foundation’s Executive
Director works out of the district Superintendent’s office, affording the Foundation continual access to
decision-makers responsible for helping steward the Foundation’s investments. This deep integration
across both organizations creates a powerful partnership that leverages resources, improves efficiency
and maximizes impact.
In this partnership model, programs are developed collaboratively by the Foundation and district, with both
organizations committing complementary resources. The Foundation’s focus is on making proof-of-concept
investments that, if successful, can be adopted and institutionalized by the district.
Please be specif ic in the population and geographic area.
The San Luis Coastal Education Foundation supports students in San Luis Coastal Unified School District,
a PreK-12 school district of 7,500 students. Approximately two-thirds of the district’s students live in San
Luis Obispo and outlying areas, while one-third live in Los Osos and Morro Bay. Over one-third of students
are socioeconomically disadvantaged, meaning that they either qualify for the free/reduced price meal
program or have a parent who did not graduate from high school. English Learners comprise 10% of
students. Sixty percent of students are white, 30% are Hispanic, 6% are multi-racial, 3% are Asian, 2% are
Filipino, and 1% are African American.
PART 2: PROJECT INFORMATION
Students of Promise Initiative
Est. numbe r of pe ople se rv e d through this proje ct:*
Est. numbe r of SLO CITY RESIDENTS se rv e d through this proje ct *
Total Proje ct Cost:*
AM OUNT OF CITY FUNDING REQUESTED:*
De scribe your propose d proje ct or program.
50
30
107,667
30,000
Specify w hat the requested f unds w ill be used f or, the need for this project, the number of people impacted. Include a project plan, if available.
Within San Luis Coastal Unified School District (SLCUSD), 27% of 6th and 7th graders do not have a
parent who graduated from college, and 15% do not have a parent who completed any college classes.
BIPOC students who will also be first generation college students make up 12.8% of SLCUSD’s current 6th
grade class and 12.3% of the current 7th grade class. These students are generally in lower
socioeconomic households and are not nearly as successful at college readiness and admissions as their
wealthier counterparts.
While nearly 80% of high school students who are not socioeconomically disadvantaged complete the
required high school classes for admission into the UC/CSU system, fewer than half (45%) of students who
are socioeconomically disadvantaged are completing these requirements by graduation (2019-20 data).
This issue starts in 6th grade, when students take a math placement test that determines access to
advanced math classes in middle school and facilitates college-track math classes in high school. In the
7th grade advanced math classes, only 10% of students are socioeconomically disadvantaged, though
they comprise 33% of the 7th grade student body (2018-19 data).
For these students, navigating the college preparation process is fraught with barriers. In interviews with
first-generation college-bound SLCUSD students, they explained that one of the greatest challenges on
their journey was the need for parent and guardian engagement, education, and involvement. Many of
these students do not have parental encouragement to aim for a college degree. They also lack
caregivers with the lived experience to help them make the middle and high school course selections that
will prepare them for college entry or to figure out the complicated college entrance process. And first-
generation students struggle to see themselves as college-bound despite academic success in school.
Finally, for those who do maintain the vision of college entry, the cost of college applications, testing
requirements (SAT, ACT) and AP exams can be prohibitive.
To help ensure that all our district’s students have equal access to college degrees, the San Luis Coastal
Education Foundation is proposing a pilot program, Students of Promise, to support first-generation
students from 6th through 12th grades as they become college-ready. The program’s life-changing goals
are to ensure that the participants are ready for entrance to four-year universities and for successful
college degree attainment. Program participants will have a guaranteed “pre-scholarship” fund of up to
$1,000 to draw from for AP exams, tutoring, college entrance exams and college applications. Even more
important, two staff members will support them from 6th through 12th grade.
A new Students of Promise Family Liaison will build relationships with families and support
parents/guardians to help students achieve their college goals. This Family Liaison is an outreach position
created based on feedback from graduating first-generation students. The position will advocate with
parents and guardians about the importance of a college degree for their child and empower parents to
understand what steps their child should take to be prepared for and get accepted to a university.
Providing parents with this knowledge gives them dignity, avoiding role reversals of children having to
explain academic processes to parents. The Family Liaison will engage respectfully with parents and
guardians, helping them to set academic goals and then customizing outreach to ensure that each student
is supported to meet their goals.
Middle school is a critical time for prerequisite classes necessary to take all the high school classes
required by the CSU and UC systems. And 6th graders take a math placement test that determines access
to advanced math classes in middle school and facilitates college-track math classes in high school. To
support Students of Promise participants academically as they begin the program, a middle school
counselor has been hired by the school district specifically to provide academic counseling for first-
generation 6th-8th graders, including Students of Promise. This second staff member will ensure that
younger students maintain the option of college while gaining the academic skills and knowledge needed
to succeed in high school and college.
The pilot program will include 50 students from the City of San Luis Obispo and from SLCUSD’s coastal
schools in Morro Bay and Los Osos who would be first-generation college graduates. Between 30-35 of
these students are expected to be from the City of San Luis Obispo based on enrollment data. Students
will be chosen based on background demographics, with first priority to students of color who are low-
income and whose parents have not attended college. The cohort will include English Learners who may
be struggling in their academic achievement because of language barriers but show potential to succeed
over time.
De scribe the community the proje ct will support.
De scribe the e quity gaps and community ne e ds this proje ct will addre ss.
In the table below briefly list 2-3 methods of evaluation and indicators of success or
measurable outcomes.
M e thods of Ev aluation Indicators of Succe ss / M e asurable Outcome s
In the chart below, identify any partnerships/collaborations that are supporting this
project, and their roles.
Name of Partne r Activ ity/Se rv ice The y Prov ide for This Proje ct
Prov ide the time line for this propose d proje ct.
Specify the population, location of services provided, and any other identif iers your proposed project w ill support.
The program will support low-income children in 6th-12th grade whose parents/guardians never attended
college, with a primary focus on students of color. Students who are both socioeconomically
disadvantaged and first generation college students make up 5.2% of the current 6th grade class and
6.1% of the 7th grade class, and almost all of these students are also BIPOC. The majority of students
whose parents have not attended college feel disconnected from school by the time they reach 11th
grade. At this time when other students are touring universities and planning application strategies, fewer
than half of 11th students with parents who did not attend college feel connected to school and only 34%
of students whose parents did not receive a high school degree feel connected to school (CA Healthy Kids
Survey 2020).
San Luis Coastal Unified School District has historically been a school district with a majority of middle
class to wealthy families. However, BIPOC students who will also be first generation college students make
up 12.8% of SLCUSD’s current 6th grade class and 12.3% of the current 7th grade class. Low-income
students, especially students of color, have often been marginalized, particularly in individual schools with
many wealthier students. Internal work over the past few years to adopt an equity lens throughout the
district has seen results ranging from new homework policies that do not expect purchases by families to
increased access to Advanced Placement classes.
The need for this project emerged from these discussions and was targeted by the San Luis Coastal
Education Foundation because it provides a model that could be expanded to increase equitable access
to college throughout the district. This model can provide a long-term benefit to hundreds of local children
who will be able to reach their academic potential and earn more throughout their lifetimes with a college
degree. For students who decide they will benefit more from a technical school education, this program will
give them the academic preparation they need to learn in any environment and the knowledge for them
and their families of how to navigate any admissions and financial aid system. Students of Promise will
create equal life options for our lower-income students from homes without a college graduate.
Example : # of BIPOC serving on public boards, committees
# of students enrolled in Students of Promise
Example: 10% increase by end of 2021
100% increase by the end of 2023
Example : # of BIPOC serving on public boards, committees
% of participants listing college as a goal
Example: 10% increase by end of 2021
80% increase by the end of 2023
Example : # of BIPOC serving on public boards, committees
% of parents/guardians listing college as a goal
Example: 10% increase by end of 2021
80% increase by the end of 2023
Example: ABC Business
San Luis Coastal Unified School District
Example: Free Use of Space f or Weekend Classes
Identification of students, hosting of program,
academic counseling for middle schoolers in the
program, basic needs support by family advocates
De scribe your plan for sustainability be yond the City’s one -ye ar award funding, if applicable .
Using the table below, please provide a broadly-itemized budget for your project,
including the source of any matching funds.
Ite m De scription *Total Cost *Amount Prov ide d by
City Funds *
Amount of Othe r
Funds and Source of
Funding *
1
2
3
*During application review , you may be asked for f urther f inancial information or f or proof of any matching f unds
De scribe the plan for promoting this proje ct within the City of San Luis Obispo.
How will you highlight the City's support of your proje ct?
By signi ng thi s applicaon, I ce rfy that the i nformaon containe d w i thin is true and corre ct to the be st of my
know l e dge . I agre e to comply w i th the re quire me nts of the Ci ty of the San Lui s Obispo.
Feb 2023 – hiring of Family Liaison
Mar 2023 – recruitment of pilot class of 6th graders
Apr-May 2023 – outreach to families by both Family Liaison and academic counselor to encourage 6th
grade advanced math test participation and registration for middle school college preparatory classes
June-Aug 2023 – summer outreach to families, goal setting
Sept-Dec 2023 – fall outreach to families, support for 7th grade coursework
Funding by the City of San Luis Obispo will allow the San Luis Coastal Education Foundation to
demonstrate the concept of this program, particularly the innovative Family Liaison position that will
empower families to have the knowledge and vision needed to support their child becoming a college
graduate. As the program takes root, the Education Foundation will recruit additional partners to continue
testing and expanding the concept. In the long term, it is expected that the value of the program to first-
generation students will be demonstrated and the school district will work with the Education Foundation to
institutionalize the strategy.
PART 3: PROJECT COST / BUDGET
Family Liaison, 1 FTE,
includes benefits
47,667.00$30,000.00$17,667.00$
Middle school academic
counselor, 0.1 FTE, includes
benefits
10,000.00$0.00$10,000.00$
Pre-scholarships for 50 7th
graders, for college
applications and testing
(funds set aside and held in
reserve until needed)
50,000.00$0.00$50,000.00$
PART 4: AWARENESS AND VISIBILITY
The Students of Promise initiative will be promoted within the City through press releases to local media
and publicity on the San Luis Coastal Education Foundation website, in our newsletter, and through our
social media channels. As students reach high school graduation, college entrance successes will be
publicized through local media.
The San Luis Coastal Education Foundation will thank the City of San Luis Obispo for the generous
support of the Students of Promise initiative through acknowledgments on our website and in our annual
report, an article in our newsletter, publicity through our social media channels, and a press release to
local media. Program updates are communicated through our social media channels and newsletter and
results are communicated in our annual report.
PART 5: CERTIFICATION
Name of Pe rson comple ting this Application:*
Signature *
Title :*
Date :*
Becca Carsel
Grant writer
8/31/2022
Christine Robertson,
Foundation Executive Director
Foundation
Board of Directors School District
Dawn Smith
Development Director
Joint Program Staff
(Teachers funded by the Foundation)
SAN LUIS COASTAL
EDUCATION FOUNDATION
SAN LUIS COASTAL
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
David Mitchell, Board Chair
Stacey White, Treasurer
Beth Marino, Secretary
Ben McAdams
Lindsey Haring
Diane Frost
Dr. Eric Prater (non-voting)
Executive Committee
Board of Directors
Erica Flores Baltodano
Dave Bernhardt
Sam Blakeslee
Kell Cole
Lindsey Haring
Ron Holcombe
Melissa James
Steve Jobst
Jim Quesenberry
Rick Robinett
Clint Slaughter
Bill Thoma
Matthew Woods
Note: Shaded names denote joint
participation in both SLCEF and SLCUSD
Dr. Eric Prater, Superintendent
Diane Frost, Assistant Superintendent
Ryan Pinkerton, Assistant Superintendent
Leslie O'Connor, Director of Secondary Instruction
Rick Mayfield, Director of Elementary Instruction
Dan Block, Director of Human Resources
Janet Gould, Director of Student Support Services
Cabinet Team
Ryan Pinkerton
Rick Mayfield
Kathryn Eisendrath-Rogers
SLCUSD Board of Trustees
Chris Unger
Ellen Sheffer
Marilyn Rodger
Evelyn Frame
Mark Buchman
Kathryn Eisendrath-Rogers
Eve Dobler-Drew
San Luis Coastal Education Foundation
Organizational Chart