Choose an area of interest (a controversy/tension/debate in contemporary American education that engages you).
Most grant proposals are driven by a “logic model” – an understanding of why your problem exists – and a
“theory of change” – a description of how specific actions taken, with a specific group of participants, supported by specific resources, under specific circumstances, will result in specific outcomes (short and long term),
resulting in a specific impact or difference over time.
In 1-2 pages, sketch out the following preliminary ideas for your paper:
What’s the problem, puzzle, or controversy you are interested in learning more about, or in trying to solve?
What’s at stake? Who is being negatively affected, or what imbalance needs correction?
What steps are needed to bring about change?
What do you think will help advance this change? (An experimental study? A legislative agenda? A new
nonprofit organization? A documentary or podcast series? Or another project?)
What short-term outcomes and/or long-term impact do you imagine?
What additional information, examples, or other resources will you need to describe or support your proposal?
Sample Solution
