FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
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JOHN WINN
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.
CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA
JULIA L. JOHNSON
WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.
LINDA K. TAYLOR
CONTACT PERSONS
NAME:
Donnajo Smith
PHONE:
(850) 245-0478
SUNCOM:
205-0478
EMAIL:
Donnajo.Smith@fldoe.org
NAME:
Kay Caster
PHONE:
(850) 245-0509
SUNCOM:
205-0509
EMAIL:
Kay.Caster@fldoe.org
DPS: 05-038
M E M O R A N D U M
TO:
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District School Superintendents
FROM:
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Jim Warford
DATE:
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September 23, 2004
SUBJECT:
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2005-06 Challenge Grants for the Gifted Collaborative Curriculum Projects:
Call for Applications
We are pleased to inform you that the Florida Department of Education has allocated $100,000
for this year’s Challenge Grant, Collaborative Curriculum Projects. This grant is available on a
competitive basis to school districts. The attached request for applications provides detailed
information regarding the project purpose, target population, desired outcomes, appropriate
collaboration, special terms and conditions, and funding.
The Collaborative Curriculum Projects are intended to promote the innovative redesign of
instruction and improved academic performance of students who are gifted through collaboration
JIM WARFORD
K – 12 Chancellor
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org
Challenge Grants for the Gifted
September 23, 2004
Page Two
between gifted students or teachers and other students, colleagues, mentors, or agencies. It is
expected that this collaboration will enhance instruction and the academic performance of gifted
students by introducing new perspectives, information, skills, and talents to instruction.
Collaboration may be with general education classrooms, classrooms for students with
disabilities, other gifted classes, other schools or school districts, professionals in a particular
field who are willing to become mentors and share expertise, colleges or universities, museums,
and laboratories. These collaborative projects may involve face-to-face interaction or
coordination through the use of technology such as the internet. Projects involving general
education students need to ensure the collaboration supports the achievement of the gifted
learners.
Teachers in your district are invited to submit an application. Applications must
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contain the original signature of the superintendent
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be submitted with the original and four copies (Faxes will not be accepted. It is not
necessary to include copies of the instructions or appendices.)
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be received at the Florida Department of Education by the close-of-business on or before
January 21, 2005
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be prepared following the guidelines in the 2005-06 Challenge Grant Collaborative
Curriculum Projects Application Instructions
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be typewritten or word processed using a font size no smaller than 10
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include correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Each district may submit a maximum of five applications. Applications will be reviewed using
criteria specified on the Reviewer Rating Sheet attached to the application instructions. We
anticipate notifying applicants of the review outcome in April 2005. The effective dates for all
approved projects will be July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2006.
The amount of funding awarded to any one project will be based on the estimated costs of the
proposed program; however, a maximum of $10,000.00 will be awarded to each project.
Funding will be competitive and based on the recommendations of a review team. Consideration
will be given to geographical distribution throughout the state, with a minimum of 20% of the
funds allocated to the 33 districts that participate in the Institute for Small and Rural Districts
(ISRD).
Applications should be submitted by January 21, 2005, to:
Grants Management/Challenge Grants
Florida Department of Education
325 Turlington Building
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
Challenge Grants for the Gifted
September 23, 2004
Page Three
Applications that do not meet the requirements in the memo and application packet or are
received in the Bureau of Grants Management after close-of-business, January 21, 2005, will not
be reviewed.
Assistance in developing the program content of the application may be requested from Donnajo
Smith, Program Specialist, Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Program Development and
Services, at (850) 245-0478, Suncom 205-0478, email: Donnajo.Smith@fldoe.org. Assistance in
meeting fiscal and technical requirements may be requested from Kay Caster, Program
Specialist, at (850) 245-9940, Suncom 205-9940, email:
Kay.Caster@fldoe.org.
We appreciate your interest in this program and look forward to the implementation of
outstanding programs for Florida’s gifted students.
JW/dsm
Attachments
cc:
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Assistant Superintendents for Instruction
Directors, Exceptional Student Education
University Lab School Directors
Contact Persons, Programs for the Gifted
Renee Speisman, ISRD
2004-05 Collaborative Curriculum Project Grant Recipients
