Think big and think creatively. Take risks, be original, and go beyond the adoption of a published curriculum. Don't be afraid to try something new. Do not ask for grant funds for district, state, or federal mandates. Student Achievement Grants are your opportunity to experiment with ideas that you and your colleagues believe will improve student achievement!
Identify clear, specific learning objectives and activities. Ask someone not involved in the project to read the application, and clarify any confusing and vague language. Avoid acronyms and jargon. Reviewers will not recommend funding if they do not understand the project. Obtaining equipment and supplies should not be the main objective of the proposal but a means of reaching clearly stated student-learning goals.
Collaborate. Describe how the proposed work will be a true team effort. Avoid writing in the first person, and explain how it is a group-driven project. Reviewers do not recommend proposals that are collaborative only on the surface or driven by administrative officials.
Develop a strong evaluation plan. You should have an evaluation plan that is both formative and summative. It should assess progress toward achieving the learning goals outlined in the application. The evaluation plan does not have to rely on standardized test scores.
Relate budget line items with the learning objectives. Reviewers give special scrutiny to equipment expenditures, so be sure that the equipment is essential for achieving the objectives described in the application.
Action research link
http://www.nsdc.org/library/strategies/actionresearch.cfm
