0% Funded
Only $500.00 Needed
a) The purpose of this project is to celebrate and recognize the academic growth, goal-setting, and personal achievements of 6th grade special education students across all subject areas. Many of these students work incredibly hard to meet individualized goals and overcome learning challenges, yet their accomplishments often go unnoticed outside the IEP setting. This project addresses the need for motivation, self-esteem, and positive reinforcement by creating a celebration event that highlights student effort, progress, and resilience throughout the school year.
b) This project supports the development of academic perseverance, self-regulation, and a growth mindset, all of which are foundational for long-term success in both general education and special education settings. It aligns with IEP goals and classroom expectations by:
Reinforcing positive behavior and academic effort across all content areas.
Encouraging students to track their own progress and set personal goals.
Supporting the development of executive functioning skills, such as time management, organization, and self-monitoring.
Building intrinsic motivation and a sense of pride in learning.
By celebrating these milestones, the project promotes student ownership of learning and helps foster a supportive, inclusive school environment where every student’s growth is valued.
School-Wide, Grade-Level, Or Class Events/Programs - Parent Nights, Honor Roll Celebrations, EOY Events, etc.
This project will provide meaningful support and recognition for 6th grade special education students by combining academic assistance with incentive-based motivation. As the students’ Case Manager, I will offer voluntary morning tutoring sessions before school to help students meet their IEP goals, complete class assignments, and reinforce skills across all subjects. These sessions will focus on individualized support in reading, math, writing, organization, and test preparation.
In addition to academic help, the project will include regular incentive-based activities for students facing economic hardship or motivational challenges. These activities may include small group games, creative projects, breakfast snacks, or class store items students can earn by meeting personal goals or demonstrating effort.
To celebrate student progress, we will host a culminating success celebration where students are recognized for their achievements with certificates, rewards, and peer/family acknowledgment. Students will also be given the opportunity to choose incentive items they enjoy (e.g., sensory tools, school supplies, snacks, or small toys), allowing them to feel seen and valued in a way that is tailored to their needs.
b) How will this project meet the needs of your students, classroom, and/or school?
This project directly meets the needs of students by:
Providing academic support in a low-stress, consistent environment, especially for students who struggle to keep up with core content in the general classroom setting.
Creating equitable access to resources and positive reinforcement for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who may not otherwise have access to tutoring or incentives.
Encouraging goal-setting, effort, and persistence through personalized incentives that build intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
Fostering a culture of achievement and confidence, which is critical for students who may have experienced academic failure or self-doubt in the past.
On a classroom and school-wide level, the project contributes to improved academic performance, behavior, attendance, and IEP progress—while also promoting inclusion and a growth mindset across the school community.
a) What will improve/change for your students because of your project?
Through this project, students will demonstrate measurable gains in both academic skills and self-confidence as a result of consistent tutoring support and positive reinforcement. As students make progress toward their IEP goals and receive recognition for their efforts, they will begin to see themselves as capable learners.
The ultimate outcome is to help students qualify for a more inclusive and balanced schedule in the following school year—one that moves them out of intensive intervention classes and allows them to participate in more general education electives and enrichment opportunities alongside their peers.
Specifically, this project will lead to:
Increased academic performance in core subjects like reading, writing, and math.
Improved self-advocacy and executive functioning skills (organization, time management, goal tracking).
Greater motivation and attendance in both tutoring and regular classes.
A stronger belief in their abilities, contributing to improved behavior and classroom participation.
Eligibility for a more flexible and inclusive 7th grade schedule with fewer remedial classes and more access to school-wide electives (e.g., art, music, technology, leadership).
b) How will you measure these outcomes?
Outcomes will be tracked using both academic and behavioral data, including:
Progress monitoring on IEP goals and classroom assessments in reading, math, and writing.
Tutoring attendance logs and participation records.
Behavioral data and teacher observations noting increased engagement, responsibility, and confidence.
Student reflections and goal sheets, completed during the project to promote self-assessment.
Schedule changes at year-end, identifying students who move out of intensive classes and into general electives.
Optional student and family surveys to gather feedback on the impact of tutoring, incentives, and celebration activities.
This data will help determine which supports were most effective and will guide future scheduling and placement decisions, ensuring students have the best possible learning environment as they move forward.
The funds from this grant will be used to purchase targeted incentive items that support the academic, behavioral, and attendance goals of 6th grade special education students. These resources will be used to reward students for meeting individualized education plan (IEP) goals, demonstrating positive behavior, and improving their attendance and participation—especially in voluntary morning tutoring sessions.
Each item selected aligns with specific needs and growth areas for our students:
$5 Gift Cards (Target, Walmart) – $100
These will be awarded to top achievers who meet or exceed IEP benchmarks, make significant progress, or demonstrate strong self-advocacy and effort across subject areas. Gift cards provide flexible motivation and are especially meaningful to students from low-income households.
Pop-it Keychains and Mini Sensory Items – $100
These will be used as daily or weekly incentives for students working on self-regulation, focus, and behavior goals. They are low-cost, high-interest items that help support attention and engagement, especially during transitions or independent work.
Earbuds or Inexpensive Headphones – $100
These items will be given to students who show consistent improvement in classroom focus, testing behavior, or use of accommodations. Many students need their own headphones for reading software, testing environments, or calming audio tools.
Drawing/Sketch Pads and Colored Pencil Sets – $100
These will serve as creative incentives for students who demonstrate progress in writing, emotional regulation, or classroom participation. They are ideal for reinforcing fine motor and self-expression goals often found in IEPs.
Snack Packs (Chips, Granola Bars, etc.) – $100
Snacks will be provided to students attending morning tutoring and used to promote improved attendance. They help create a welcoming environment and address basic needs that may impact learning, especially for economically disadvantaged students.
These incentives will encourage personal growth, academic perseverance, and consistent attendance, all while creating a supportive and motivating classroom climate. By recognizing students’ effort and achievements in a tangible, meaningful way, this project will help sustain their progress and build confidence for success in future academic years.
| # | Item | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5 gift cards (for top achievers – Target, Walmart)- Progress Monitoring Gains | $100.00 |
| 2 | Pop-it keychains and mini sensory items- quarterly academic gains | $100.00 |
| 3 | Earbuds or inexpensive headphones (for study use)- gains across the curriculum | $100.00 |
| 4 | Drawing/sketch pads and colored pencil sets- behavior goals | $100.00 |
| 5 | Snack packs (chips, granola bars, etc.)- for tutoring and school attendance | $100.00 |
| Total: | $500.00 |
0% Funded
Only $500.00 Needed
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