581-017-0559 African American/Black Student Success Plan Grant Program: Criteria (1) The Department of Education shall establish a request for proposal solicitation and approval process by which to award African American/Black Student Success Plan Grants. All proposals must comply with the requirements of the Department’s Procurement processes. Grants shall be awarded based on the following criteria: (a) Whether the proposed program or project successfully aligns with strategies and objectives described in the African American/Black Student Success Plan; (b) Ability of the applicant to demonstrate knowledge, experience, and expertise in addressing parent and community engagement to improve academic achievement, opportunities, access, and graduation rates of African/African American/Black/African Diaspora students; and (c) Whether the applicant authentically and consistently engages Community Voice in the proposed project. (2) The Department shall give priority to proposals that: (a) Provide a sustainability plan to continue the program for at least two years after the Grant funding has ended; (b) The extent to which the applicant clearly documents its capacity to implement and carry out programming and services for addressing the needs of African/African American/Black/African Diaspora student populations, including demonstrated intentions to work in a collaborative way with school districts or post-secondary institutions; and (c) Geographic location of Grant applicants to ensure geographic diversity and representation within the recipients of and students served by Grant programs funded throughout the state. This includes areas of the state that demonstrate a lack of services specific to the needs of African/African American/Black/African Diaspora students and as identified in the African American/Black Student Success Plan. (3) The Department of Education shall allocate funds for the Grant program based on the evaluation of the Grant application and the following considerations: (a) Whether the applicant meets the minimum requirements in OAR 581-017-0556; (b) Geographic location of Grant applicants to ensure geographic diversity and representation within the recipients of and students served by Grant programs funded throughout the state. This includes areas of the state that demonstrate a lack of services specific to the needs of African/African American/Black/African Diaspora students and as identified in the African American/Black Student Success Plan; and (c) Whether Grant applicants demonstrate commitment and readiness to use best practices around Culturally Responsive programming and services to close Achievement and Opportunity Gaps for African/African American/Black/African Diaspora students; and (d) Whether applicant demonstrates evidence of prior implementation of a robust Culturally Responsive program or service as a way to close Achievement and Opportunity Gaps for African/African American/Black/African Diaspora students. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 329.841 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 329.841 History: ODE 11-2021, amend filed 04/16/2021, effective 04/16/2021 ODE 9-2021, temporary amend filed 03/29/2021, effective 03/29/2021 through 09/24/2021 ODE 11-2018, amend filed 04/03/2018, effective 04/03/2018 ODE 35-2016, f. & cert. ef. 6-15-16