Application Instructions
This Finalist Application Form allows you the opportunity to attach supporting documents. The detailed Executive Summary document of your program CANNOT EXCEED 1,000 WORDS and should include the desired information outlined in the sections below. Please note that the letters of support are a separate attachment from the 1,000-word Executive Summary document.
IMPORTANT! While each section contains several examples to guide you through the application procedure, it is NOT necessary to format your responses exactly according to these examples as they are only meant to serve as guidelines.
CONTENT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
1. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Please provide a brief description of your school, including a demographic profile of the student group involved. You may also provide details on the issue in learning addressed by your program’s innovation, the ideas or research that led to its design, and how your program responds to this issue.
2. EVIDENCE OF INNOVATION IN PROGRAM DESIGN
Describe how your program is innovative.
For example:
- comparisons to past practices prior to the innovation taking place that demonstrate added value
- assessment of students has shifted to being interactive, demonstrates that students can apply knowledge in various contexts, and/or evaluates how student teams interact/develop ideas, etc.
3. EVIDENCE OF TEACHER ENGAGEMENT
a) Describe how you and/or your fellow teachers are allowed flexibility to try new things in the classroom.
For example: teachers’ opportunity for risk-taking, allocation of professional development days to growing teacher-led initiatives, opportunities to learn outside of the classroom, etc.
b) Describe how this program engages and motivates you and/or your fellow teachers.
For example: testimonials and/or stories that demonstrate that teachers are “into it,” etc.
4. EVIDENCE OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
a) Describe how students’ exploration of their interests, passions and talents is an ongoing part of classroom learning, including how students are actively engaged in their own learning and are supported to create new perspectives and new knowledge.
For example:
- inclusion of activities that develop critical thinking, citizenship, communication, collaboration, creativity and/or character-building skills
- inquiry-based learning
- inclusion of activities focusing on students’ future aspirations
- opportunities for open discussion
- incorporation of the arts, etc.
b) Describe how teachers develop real-world learning environments.
For example:
- connecting classroom lessons to real-world issues
- career or workforce training
- project-based activities
- integration of parents or community members as learning resources
- collaborative learning between teachers and students
- adjustment of teaching practices based on students’ feedback
- parental engagement to encourage learning at home, etc.
5. EVIDENCE OF POTENTIAL FOR SCALABILITY
Describe how your program has the potential to expand to multiple schools within a school district (or to other CEGEPs in Quebec).
For example:
- new technologies in classrooms that have created shifts in teaching practices, led to changes in evaluation rubrics, encouraged greater teacher collaboration, and increased student voice
- an active online presence on social media networks and a program website
- the involvement of numerous teachers in the program
- an outline that includes recommendations and examples of lessons learned – both positive and negative – at each stage of the implementation/change process
- evidence that the results of any research conducted about the innovation has been made public, etc.
6. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Please briefly disclose your program’s current financial position by responding to the following questions:
- Have you received funding from other sources for this program? If yes, please provide details.
- How would you use the Ken Spencer award money to further develop your program?
7. CONCLUSION
Please provide any final remarks to conclude your application, including a response to the following question:
- How does your program have the potential to result in transformative change in the public education system?
Deadline: Monday, December 17, 2018, at 5:00 pm Pacific Time
If you encounter any problems submitting the form, please contact André Rebeiz at arebeiz@edcan.ca
