Grant proposal

The issue I would like to focus on is Access to Higher Education/Closing the Achievement Gap. My mom is an educator and she always talks about how public schools are only geared toward one type of learning style when in reality there are several different styles of learning. The students who do not learn the way schools teach struggle, get frustrated, fall behind, and too often, eventually drop out of the school system altogether. I believe one of the main reasons that students’ learning style needs aren’t met is because most teachers don’t know how to go about catering to several different learning styles. The way to address this problem would be to educate the teachers and talk to students to find out how they best learn. If students are more invested in their learning, they are more likely to stay with it. My proposal would include creating seminars and modules for teachers to be more open to teaching in such a way that would benefit more learning styles.
Thie would qualify as service learning because Bonner leaders would be the ones giving the courses to the teachers and so they in turn would also be learning more about the education system.This would be meaningful service because it addresses a real problem that needs attention. It would be linked to the curriculum in that it would set up programs in schools and involve students in determining how they learn best. It would incorporate reflection by a series of group discussions that not only monitor progress, but how everyone feels about the way things are going. This proposal aligns itself with diversity in that most inner city schools in albany attract minorites and so they would be the ones benefitting from this program. The youth would have a voice in what teaching methods work best for them. We would partnership with local schools and try and get other aspects of the community involved. Progress would be monitored by evaluating tests and see if the change in learning has an effect, we could also talk to both faculty and students and get their feedback. Although I originally invisioned this idea as a one time thing, there could be several programs throughout the school year that address alternative learning styles and each time it could build and other schools could become more and more involved.