Podcast Series: Innovations in Education

Explore the full series of eSchool News podcasts hosted by Kevin Hogan—created to keep you on the cutting edge of innovations in education.

Five key ways to evaluate grant projects

(Editor’s note: This column is an excerpt from Deb Ward’s latest book, Effective Grants Management, 2010: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury, Mass., www.jbpup.com. Reprinted with permission from the publisher.)

Following specific guidelines can help you evaluate grant programs.
Following specific guidelines can help you evaluate grant programs.

The following information regarding evaluations was provided by Dr. Matt Rearick, an evaluator who is currently an assistant professor of education, health, and human performance at Roanoke College in Virginia. Dr. Rearick has experience conducting external evaluations for several grant-funded projects.

Q: What are [some] of the most common types of evaluation tools included in proposals?…Read More

Grant-giving continues despite financial limitations

Some grant-giving entities have had to make adjustments in their award programs due to the economic downturn.
Some grant-giving entities have had to make adjustments in their award programs owing to the economic downturn.

Despite the economic turmoil and budget cuts that have plagued school districts and education technology organizations from coast to coast, many organizations and foundations have been able to continue giving educational grants—with some adjustments.

Some grant-giving entities have made changes to their programs and now offer fewer awards or have decreased the amount of each individual award—an adjustment that Chris Taylor, author of Granted! A Teacher’s Guide to Writing and Winning Classroom Grants, said is common.

“Some grant-giving entities are continuing to offer grants, but the amount available to be awarded has been reduced. I believe this situation is making a greater demand on grant seekers to step up their grant-writing skills while at the same time be willing to reduce their expectations concerning the amount of funding they might be able to receive,” Taylor said.…Read More