Magnet School Merit Awards Program

You must follow the Criteria & Requirements outline (next tab)  to complete the narrative section of the application.  Special attention should be given to “describe and highlight” those exemplary and unique aspects of the magnet school which are above and beyond program components found in traditional, non-magnet schools. For example, “having an active Parent Teacher Association (PTA)” is not considered a unique level of parent and community involvement specific to magnets.  Please spell out all abbreviations and acronyms, EXAMPLE: Supplemental Educational Services (SES).

Be sure to read all information carefully for the award appropriate to you.

• Whole School or Program Within-a-School
  • Program Within-a-School programs must consist of at least twenty percent (20%) of the student population involved in the program OR a minimum of 200 students.
• Magnet School of Merit or New & Emerging School of Merit
  • New & Emerging Magnet School category is designed for magnet schools in their second or third year.

ALL applications are to be submitted online at www.magnet.edu on or before November 5, 2019.

• SIGNATURES PAGE*: Complete with the Principal and Superintendent/Designee signatures at the time of submission. (Template can be found in the application packet);
  
• GENERAL INFORMATION*: Complete online during the submission process;
• ABSTRACT*: Complete online during the submission process;
• APPLICATION*: Each narrative section will be completed online AND data tables uploaded as PDF (Template can be found in the application packet);
• LETTERS OF SUPPORT*: Two current letters of support for the award, one from a parent or parent group, AND one from a partnering organization (upload online as a PDF or request letter directly via online platform);

*REQUIRED

Program Overview:

1. A summary of how the vision for the school is related to the theme and aligns with the goals, objectives, and educational activities for the school. No more than 250 words (5 pts);
2. How the magnet theme is integrated throughout the school in core classes as well as electives and co-curricular activities. No more than 500 words (5 pts).
3. How the program/school promotes equitable access to all demographic groups, including but not limited to English “Language” Learners and students who receive special education services. No more than 300 words (5 pts).

Demographic Profile:

1. A description of the student diversity plan (if there is a diversity goal) or a description on how student diversity is leveraged and maximized. No more than 500 words (10 pts).
2. How student enrollment reflects the diversity plan. No more than 400 words (10 pts).
3. Are students selected by a lottery process that does not include academic criteria? Explain in no more than 75 words (1 pt bonus).
4. For programs within-a-school, a description on how students in the program and school have academic opportunities to interact. No more than 500 words (5 pts).
5. Current programs within-a-school enrollment by racial/ethnic categories, and totals (# & %).
6. Current school enrollment by racial/ethnic categories, and totals (# & %).
7. District enrollment by by racial/ethnic categories, and totals (# & %).
8. Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) eligibility for students in the district/school/program (# & %), optional.

DEMOGRAPHIC DATA TABLE TEMPLATES available via googlesheet (unprotected).
Make a copy or download, print and upload as PDF.

• • Program Within-A-School Demographic Data Table – TAB: Demographic PWAS
  • Whole School Demographic Data Table – TAB: Demographic WS

Innovative Instructional Strategies:

1. A description of how the innovative instructional practices are implemented. No more than 400 words (10 pts).
2. How professional development activities enhance instructional delivery, and are aligned with the magnet theme; For example: What are you doing to support your Magnet theme, teachers and all other instructional staff to understand the Magnet-theme philosophy/goals and objectives, No more than 350 words (10 pts).
3. How diversity (ethnic or socio-economic) is infused into the magnet school/program curriculum–not just festivals and/or holidays. No more than 300 words (10 pts).

Student Achievement – Reading or Math OR other areas determined by your State Department of Education:

1. School, district, and state achievement data for enrolled students is disaggregated by race for the last 4 academic years. School must indicate new assessments and provide documentation from the state when data is unavailable. If your state no longer allows the publishing of test information disaggregated in conjunction with FRL, an aggregated template is provided (for New & Emerging schools, report data for the years covered in the application) (5 pts);  Must use provided template.
   Student Achievement Data Table Templates available via googlesheet (unprotected)
   Make a copy or download, print and upload as PDF.
   
   • Disaggregated Student Achievement Data Table – TAB: Student Achievement_DISAGGREGATED
   • Aggregated Student Achievement  Data Table – TAB: Student Achievement_AGGREGATED
     
     
2. Explanation of the student achievement data; include attendance rates and graduation rates for high school (if applicable) for 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2018 and 2018-2019. No more than 950 words (15 pts).

Parent and Community Involvement:

1. How partnerships formed with parents, community groups, industry partners and other organizations connect to and support student learning and are aligned to the magnet theme (beyond fundraising). No more than 250 words (8 pts).
2. Current (2018 or 2019) letters of support for the Magnet Schools of America Merit Award from:
   • an active parent or parent group (1 pt); and
   • an active industry partner/partnering organization (1pt).

Awards and Achievements:

1. Significant achievements and school awards received during the last three years as covered by the application (receiving a grant is not considered a significant achievement for this specific category). No more than 200 words (5 pts).