Grant Proposal Narrative - Seattle Public Schools

2. Problem StatementDescribe the problem, why it is a problem, and who is impacted by the problem. What specific elements of the problem is this investmenttrying to address?The notion that young children and their families are full members of the community reflects societal values aboutpromoting opportunities for all children. It also reflects a reaction against previous educational practices of separatingand isolating children with disabilities. The effect of inclusion enacted over the past 30 years has been tofundamentally change the vision for our ideals about organizing and delivering early childhood services. However,because inclusion takes on many different forms and implementation is influenced by a variety of factors, questionspersist about the meaning of inclusion. This investment will help us define inclusion in Seattle preschools. Having thiscommon understanding across programs is fundamental to determining what types of practices and supports arenecessary to achieve high quality inclusion.Seattle Public Schools and partner organizations currently offer an array of services designed for three-to-five yearold children who have suspected or identified special needs, as well as for those who are typically developing.Unfortunately, these services are fragmented, operating with little mutual interaction or interdependency. Familiesstruggle to understand and navigate programs governed by different eligibility criteria, funding streams, procedures andpolicies. Staff lack the comprehensive systemic awareness to develop holistic educational and/or treatment plans.Communication, coordination and planning between classroom teachers and special education teachers who provideitinerant services in the classrooms is inconsistent. Of most concern is the collective failure to offer cohesive, wellcoordinated services that meet the evolving needs of children. The irony is that children's growth and capacity to benefitfrom just-right services is greater during this time period than at any other in their lives.3. Scope and ApproachDescribe the scope and approach of the proposed work. This should be a narrative description of the principal results the investmentwould achieve and how those results relate to the problem described above (rather than a list of outcomes and outputs.) Note: You willprovide a list of outcomes and outputs in the Results FrameworkThe scope of this work will span a two year period, beginning with an evaluation of the current system, including anassessment of its strengths and weaknesses. We will begin researching inclusion models elsewhere that are achievinggains for all children. The recommendations of the Special Education Preschool Task Force will be synthesized into thegoals developed as a result of this research. The results of the Task Force and this initial period of self reflection andresearch will lay the foundation for building a new system of supports for programs, teachers, children and families.Implementation of this new plan will require ongoing professional development and support to acquire the knowledge,skills, and dispositions required to implement effective inclusive practices. The intent of program policies andprocedures will be to promote communication and collaboration between all stakeholders. Quality frameworks shouldreflect and guide inclusive practices to ensure that all early childhood practitioners and programs are prepared toreceive and address the needs of children with disabilities.Year 1 - Scope of WorkThe Inclusion Liaison will monitor the progress of the Special Education Preschool Task Force. The Task Force will beformed in May 2016 and will make final recommendations in December 2016. This group will be comprised of parents,teachers, community partners, SPS central office administrators, City of Seattle Department of Early Learningadministrators and school building leaders. Reaching consensus on the meaning of early childhood inclusion is anecessary first step in articulating the field’s collective wisdom and values on this critically important issue. While theTask Force is developing its recommendations, the Liaison will concurrently be researching districts in Washington andthroughout the country that have quality inclusion models. After the Task Force makes it recommendations, the secondhalf of the year will be devoted to planning for implementation. The Inclusion Liaison will work on developing a plan toincorporate changes to policies, procedures and systems needed to deliver a high quality inclusion model.Year 2 – Scope of WorkThe primary focus during Year Two will be program implementation. Inclusion can take many different forms and occurin various organizational and community contexts. Even if environment and programs are designed to facilitate access,some children will need additional individualized accomodations and supports to participate fully in play and learningactivities with peers and adults. System changes will be structured using a tiered model that will help adults organizeassessments and interventions by level of intensity. The Inclusion Liaison will be involved in strategic planning with thePage 3 of 7 2015 Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationGrant Proposal Narrative 9/20/15

City, District and other stakeholders across early childhood sectors on how to deliver this new model of earlyintervention. Improving the overall quality of early childhood classrooms is necessary but might not be sufficient toaddress the individual needs of every child. Determining who will benefit from professional development, whatpractitioners need to know and be able to do, and how learning opportunities should be organized and facilitated will beessential elements in this integrated professional development system.As needed, describe why you believe the approach would lead to the desired results. Reference related work, existing evidence fromevaluations or systematic reviews, and/or relevant experience, etc.High quality early care and education can provide many benefits to young children both with and without disabilities.Inclusion alone does not guarantee desirable outcomes for children with disabilities. To ensure desirable outcomes forall children, especially children with disablitites, two conditions must characterize all inclusive early childhood settings: ahigh quality environment and supports for classroom staff (Wolery, 2003).4. Risk MitigationAs needed, describe any significant risks to the success of this project and how you plan to address them.Risk: This project will depend on several agencies working together to ensure that each child’s individual needs aremet. Sometimes challenges arise when bringing together two large organizations such as the City’s Department ofEducation and Early Learning and Seattle Public School’s Department of Early Learning.Solution: The Liaison will work closely with each department to develop a common definition of inclusion and a sharedvision of the desired outcomes so that the system developed will yield positive results for all Seattle preschool childrenand families.Risk: Seattle Preschool Program is in its first full year of funding and implementation. We may not have the fundingneeded to fully implement all of the ideas recommended by the Task Force at this time.Solution: Work within the budget to plan and implement some of the recommendations of the Task Force during YearTwo; phase in full implementation while working to determine flexible funding models and developing proposals tostate agencies based on our findings.Risk: Developing an implementation plan based on the Task Force recommendations and the best practices indicatedin the research could be challenging if there are contradictory findings.Solution: Infuse content from the research that complements the recommendations of the Task Force.Risk: Many rules and regulations are embedded in early childhood and special education policy. In accordance withthe Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), Seattle Public Schools is unconditionally commited to Free and AppropriatePublic Education (FAPE) for every student regardless of disability. We must adhere to this commitment as a schooldistrict.Solution: The liaison will ensure that all stakeholders involved in preschool inclusion initiatives understand and followthe guidance set out by IDEA and FAPE.It may be necessary for the Inclusion Liaison to make course corrections as the research and Task Force bring forwardrecommendations or as other conditions change in the environment at large.5. How We’ll Work TogetherThis question is intended to begin the dialogue on how foundation staff would work with you to achieve the intended outcomes. Topicscould include minimal staff support, any specific issues that would likely need on-going discussion, regular communications, or otherinformation to help establish mutual expectations and assist with implementing the proposed work.Seattle Public Schools would welcome collaborative systems thinking and reflecting on progress from GatesFoundation staff on a quarterly basis and in response to emerging needs.Page 4 of 7 2015 Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationGrant Proposal Narrative 9/20/15

6. Geographic Areas to Be ServedList all countries and regions/states that would benefit from this work and associated dollar amounts. If areas to be served include the UnitedStates, indicate city and state. Add more rows as needed. More information about Geographic Areas to Be Served can be found here.LocationFoundation Funding (U.S. )Seattle, Washington 249,498.00 7. Geographic Location of WorkList all countries and regions/states where this work would be performed and associated dollar amounts. If location of work includes theUnited States, indicate city and state. Add more locations as needed. More information about Geographic Location of Work can be found here.LocationFoundation Funding (U.S. )Preschool Classrooms in Seattle Public Schools 249,498.00 8. Intellectual PropertyIs it likely that this grant, if funded, would lead to the creation of a new or improved Technology and/or require the use orincorporation of existing Technology outside the scope of its permitted use?As used here, “Technology” includes: Products (e.g., devices, compounds, biologics, formulations, diagnostics, therapeutics, prophylactics, seeds, courseware) Services (e.g., treatments and delivery systems) Processes (e.g., methods, manufacturing, formulae, algorithms) Technologies (e.g., platforms, systems, mechanisms, tools, websites) Materials (e.g., biological materials, chemicals) Software (e.g., code, development kits, applications)Note: the use of commonly-available, off-the-shelf products (such as Microsoft Excel, Adobe, etc.) need not be disclosed.If yes, email GlobalAccess@gatesfoundation.org and copy the person who requested this proposal to gain access to the online portalto complete the Intellectual Property (IP) Report. Please include in the subject line “IP Report Access for [insert Opportunity ID]”.If no, please acknowledge by typing “N/A”:9. Clinical Studies and Regulated ResearchA.Would the investment involve any of the following? Human subjects research, including Clinical trials Genetically modified organisms (plants or animals) Biohazards Pathogens/toxins identified as select agents by U.S. LawIf yes, complete the Clinical Studies and Regulated Research Module.If no, please acknowledge by typing “N/A”: NABudget NarrativeThe purpose of the budget narrative is to supplement the information provided in the excel-based budget template by justifying how thebudget cost elements are necessary to implement project activities and accomplish target outcomes. The budget narrative is a tool tohelp foundation staff fully understand the budgetary needs of the project and is an opportunity to provide descriptive information aboutthe costs, drivers, and risks that can’t be easily communicated in the budget template. Together, the budget narrative and budgetPage 5 of 7 2015 Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationGrant Proposal Narrative 9/20/15

template should provide a complete quantitative and qualitative description that supports the proposed budget. The descriptionprovided in the budget template should be very brief. Please use this budget narrative to provide a thorough description of your budgetand only complete questions that are relevant to your grant proposal.For Global Development, Global Health and Global Policy and Advocacy related g

Grant Proposal Narrative . including Seattle Preschool Program or Step Ahead, ECEAP or SPS Developmental Preschool. Funding sources include Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act funds, Head Start, private grant funds and City of Seattle grant funds. We hope that inclusive experiences for children with and without disabilities .