Specifications include, but are not limited to: Evaluation services may be needed in existing and anticipated grant-funded initiatives and programs in areas such as elementary and middle school reading, STEM and STEAM, chronic absenteeism, dropout prevention, in-school trauma diagnosis and counseling, student effects from music education and band participation, teacher retention, professional development and its effects on classroom practice, preparation of underserved students to succeed in advanced academics such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten impacts on Grade 4 students' comprehension and related skills, reducing students' summer loss. Contractors are to consider initiatives and programs funded under grants ranging from multi-millions to as small as $5,000. Wording in this RFP should not be construed to limit the size of the Contractor and is not meant to do so. We anticipate proposals from multi-staffed Contractors to single proprietors/operators. Currently, the District has grants from the federal and state education departments, other government agencies, and private foundations. Current and potential grant-funded initiatives and programs are listed below along with existing possible evaluation questions that are used: * MSAP, a federal grant-funded program to establish and operate magnet schools, with special curricula, to attract a diverse group of students and desegregate public schools. What impact is it having in schools, teachers, and students? * Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP): What aspects of our program are successful and why? * Accelerating Scholars: What is the impact of high-dosage tutoring? * Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) improving academic achievement: What delivery methods work best in both district and charter schools? What is the status of collaboration between District and charter schools in serving students with disabilities? What are the costs of innovative solutions in both District and charter schools? * Innovation Zone (iZone) schools: What are and have been the barriers to improving achievement in these underperforming schools? * Other current typical grant-funded programs include: * Developing and implementing School Improvement Plan (SIP) * ESEA Title IIA: Teacher and principal training and recruiting * ESEA Title III: English language acquisition/enhancement/academic achievement * ESEA Title X: Education of the Homeless * Carl Perkins Career and Technical Education * Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers * Project Prevent * Tennessee Safe Schools * Family Resource Centers * Coordinated School Health
