School Leadership: To help principals and teachers in leadership positions improve practices in schools that result in academic gains for all students. Some examples are:

• Programs that support principals and teachers to lead instructional improvement in collaboration with students and other members of the school community.
• Programs that assist principals and teachers in leadership positions to improve the structure and quality of schools.
• Programs that assist principals and teacher leaders to develop a positive culture of learning in which members of the school community feel supported, nurtured, and valued.
• Activities and organizations that assist principals and teacher leaders to develop effective school-community connections between teachers, students, parents and the broader community that contribute to improved academic performance. 
• Limited support for broader school reform efforts that improve school leadership.

Teacher Quality: To help teachers improve instructional skills to engage students in rigorous, academic pursuits. Some examples that support this goal are:

• Programs that help teachers provide high quality instruction in public schools.
• Programs that build teachers’ skills to lead instructional improvement efforts in public schools.
• Programs that encourage collaboration among teachers, and with students, parents and other members of the school community, to improve educational quality.
• Programs that encourage qualified teachers to remain in the profession. 
• Limited support for broader school reform efforts that improve teacher quality and retention.

Partnerships for School Improvement: To engage parents, youth, and the broader community in activities to improve the quality of education in public schools. The activities may be led by organizations external to the school system or be initiated within the public schools. These may include:

• Programs and projects that build meaningful collaborations among parents and other members of the school community.
• Activities and organizations that engage youth to help improve academic success and develop collaboration with teachers, parents, and other adults within their school communities.
• Programs that build effective partnerships between public schools and the broader community.
• Limited support for broader school reform efforts that improve partnership for school improvement.

* How To Apply: For a step-by-step guide to the Fund's grant application process, please see the For Grantseekers section of our Web site.