High schools that have successfully completed two years of the Reach Higher High School grant program and maintained compliance are eligible to apply for the Reach Higher System Impact Grant.
Timeline
Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the timeline for the 2021-2022 system impact grant will be flexible and responsive to grantee needs. The strategy institute will take place virtually in November, with the rest of the application steps following shortly after with input from interested schools. Eligible schools will be contacted with additional timeline details.
Year 3: Reach Higher System Impact Grant
MCAN is seeking innovative, aggressive, reform-minded high school applicants with buy-in, engagement, and formal participation from the building principal and school counseling staff for the Reach Higher System Impact grant. High Schools with a plan to implement a bold systems change initiative, developed utilizing local quantitative and qualitative data, to improve metrics around college and career readiness should consider applying.
The Michigan College Access Network 2017-2021 Strategic Plan outlines MCANs strategies for addressing four priority areas: Foster a College-going Culture; Identify Multiple Postsecondary Education Pathways and Facilitate Smooth Transitions; Improve College Affordability; and Support Credential Completion.
With the Reach Higher System Impact grant, MCAN seeks to align the investment of high school innovation resources in Priority Areas with a particular interest in the Targeted Focus Strategies. Applicants demonstrating that one or more of the Priority Areas are clearly aligned and a significant part of the proposed project focus and intended outcomes will receive priority consideration and extra points for submitting an application within the designated Priority Areas.
Eligibility questions should be directed via email to Autumn Kearney, Strategy Manager. You are encouraged to contact MCAN to inquire about eligibility and to request technical assistance.
Proposals are only accepted using MCAN’s online grants system. This application will open in October 2020. Get ahead by registering for an account.
The Strategy Institute will help school districts develop their internal capacity to support every student toward attaining a successful postsecondary pathway. The Strategy Institute will employ a holistic approach based on the integration of three critical components.
Each participating school district will be required to bring a team of four (4) consisting of at least one senior administrator, the building principal, and a school counselor to the Strategy Institute.
More information about the Strategy Institute will be provided to eligible schools as the event develops.
Systems Change Project
MCAN's 2017-2021 Strategic Plan outlines our strategies for addressing four priority areas:
With the Reach Higher System Impact grant, MCAN seeks to align the investment of high school innovation resources in Priority Areas with a particular interest in the Targeted Focus Strategies. Applicants demonstrating that one or more of the Priority Areas are clearly aligned and a significant part of the proposed project focus and intended outcomes will receive priority consideration and extra points for submitting an application within the designated Priority Areas.
Applications focusing outside of the example Targeted Focus Strategies will still be reviewed and considered. Applications focusing outside the designated Priority Areas are unlikely to be considered.
Priority 1: Foster a college-going Culture
Residents across our state believe college is very important to succeed in the labor market. In every high school across the state, professionals support this belief and help all students define and achieve their postsecondary goals.
Examples of Targeted Focus Strategies
Priority Two: Identify Multiple Postsecondary Education Pathways and Facilitate Smooth Transitions
All students graduating from a Michigan high school understand their postsecondary options, and they enroll in a postsecondary institution that is a good match or fit for their aspirations, academic readiness, and career ambitions.
Examples of Targeted Focus Strategies
Priority Three: Improve College Affordability
All students graduating from a Michigan high school will have the financial knowledge, literacy, and readiness to understand the costs and benefits of postsecondary education. Students will also have the resources, advising, and coaching they need to enroll in and efficiently complete their degree or certificate program.
Examples of Targeted Focus Strategies
Priority Four: Support Credential Completion
All students who enroll in college will attain a postsecondary degree or certificate while minimizing their time to completion.
Examples of Targeted Focus Strategies