AT&T High School Success
Special Grants Program
Applications for 2008 are no longer being accepted. However, general information regarding the program is outlined below. Grant recipients will be notified beginning mid-September 2008.
Overview
In April 2008, the AT&T Foundation launched a new grant program focused on high school success for at-risk students. The program will direct funds to eligible nonprofit organizations and schools across the country and offers two types of grants:
- Project support is for existing high school retention programs with a successful track record of achieving effective results. The support may be used to continue programs in their current form, expand them to serve additional students, or add a component to strengthen the program. Project support is intended for programs that are ready to operate in their current or modified form by the first semester of the 2008 - 2009 school year. Grant payout will range from $50,000 - $100,000 a year for up to four years (2008 - 2011).
- Planning/capacity-building support is for efforts that need additional planning time and resources. Applicants for these grants must demonstrate that they will be able to identify the administrative, financial and programmatic support needed to commence program implementation during the first semester of the 2009 - 2010 school year. Grant payout will range from $25,000 - $35,000 for one year only.
The AT&T Foundation seeks to support the most effective programs that:
- Intervene early. Priority will be given to programs that begin serving students who are either in ninth grade or are making the transition from eighth to ninth grade. Funding will also be considered for programs that begin serving students in 10th grade; however, no funding will be provided to programs that begin serving students after 10th grade.
- Get results. AT&T is looking for programs that will produce reliable data on the characteristics of the students they serve and produce measurable results on the outcomes for the students participating in the programs.
Qualifying Organizations
- School districts and school district foundations (Note: Foundations must have 501(c)(3) public charity status. Private foundations are not eligible.)
- Charter school foundations and private school foundations (Note: Foundations must have 501(c)(3) public charity status. Private foundations are not eligible.)
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Nonprofit organizations:
- That work on-site with public and private education institutions or that work with public and private education institutions on a project basis
- AND have 501(c)(3) public charity status
Characteristics of At-Risk Students
Applicants must document that the students being served are at least a moderate risk of dropping out of high school unless they receive the services of the proposed program. In particular, applicants should provide reliable data that they are serving students who display characteristics such as:
- Repeating a grade in elementary or middle school or failing to be promoted on time from ninth grade to 10th grade.
- Reading or math test scores that are significantly below grade level.
- Significant attendance problems during a sustained period.
- Failing to pass ninth grade core courses on time in English and/or math (typically Algebra I).
- Behavioral or disciplinary problems (as documented, for example, through referrals from teachers or counselors).
Program Outcomes
The programs should be designed to improve success in high school, as reflected in the following outcomes:
- Increased high school graduation rates
- Increased rates of on-time promotion to the next grade
- Increased credit accumulation and completion of core courses
- Improved grades and test scores
- Reduced behavioral and disciplinary problems
View the complete list of 2008 AT&T High School Success Grants recipients.
