REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR RISE PROGRAM TUTORING CONTRACTOR

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1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR RISE PROGRAM TUTORING CONTRACTOR OVERVIEW College Now Greater Cleveland was founded in 1966 as a college scholarship program for Cleveland public school students. The nation s first and Ohio s largest college access organization, College Now serves as a best practices model not just locally, but around the country. Tens of thousands of traditional-age students and adult learners have accessed higher education with our help since our founding. There are currently 10,000 students on college campuses in Ohio and in the US who have received our expert advising services and renewable last-dollar scholarships (over $62 million since our inception), benefiting from over $150 million in financial aid. A $500 investment in College Now services results in a graduating high school senior from a low-income background receiving about $60,000 in financial aid over four years of college. But our success is based on the academic success of the students we serve. The Raising Individual Student Expectations (RISE) program, which is supported by Great Lakes Guaranty Corporation, was created to support College Now s existing work to improve college readiness and reduce postsecondary remediation among CMSD high school juniors with benchmark ACT composite scores of 18-21, which ACT has determined indicate a lack of academic college readiness. RISE's immediate goal is to increase college-level math and English skills as indicated by improved ACT math and ACT English scores among at least 100 students of the Class of In addition to the ACT-focused math and English preparation, participants will be offered individual and small group subject tutoring. Students who require subject tutoring, for coursework or for ACT subjects, can access tutors during breaks from ACT test preparation courses. Through this RFP, College Now seeks to secure the best tutoring services at the most affordable, competitive prices, and to give all qualified businesses, including those that are owned by minorities, women, and persons with a handicap or disability, and small business enterprises, an opportunity to do business with College Now as contractors. Objectives of the RISE program The formal objectives of RISE were prescribed by the funder and are specific to ACT scores: by the end of year 2, 50% of participants will have achieved a math score of 22 or above and 60% of participants will have achieved an English score of 18 or above. The motivation for establishing these objectives is to insure that students are prepared for college-level course work. The ACT scores serve as one measure of college readiness, but research has shown that students grade point averages (GPA) most accurately reflect their ability to succeed in postsecondary education (Hiss & Franks, 2014).

2 To that end, RISE is committed to assisting students with obtaining not only the grades, but the skills, necessary to succeed in their postsecondary educations. These skills include time management, note taking, reading for comprehension, speed reading, and study skills. These college survival skills will be best honed individually and in very small groups where trained tutors can focus on the needs of individuals, in specific subject areas. Success will be measured in class grades, and ultimately the cumulative GPA. Project Schedule This RFP refers to a project year, which aligns with the academic year, approximately August 15, 2015 through June 15, The tutor contractor will serve approximately 50 students annually at or near the students home schools, all of which are in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD). The frequency and locations will be determined according to the location and needs of the participants. Deliverable Individual student needs assessments Tutoring services Time and effort reports Evaluation of tutoring services Completion or Due Date At the beginning of each academic quarter Weekly throughout the academic year Weekly, by location Quarterly, and at the end of the academic year Tutoring Contractor Services The Tutor Contractor will be responsible, in collaboration with the RISE program staff, for: Analyzing student-level baseline data to assess academic needs; Designing a logistical plan to address student academic needs; Developing tutoring materials to improve students academic outcomes; Effectively deliver consistent individual and/or very small group tutoring services according to the students needs assessment; Submit weekly reports detailing the time and effort of each tutor; Meet with the RISE staff quarterly to analyze student needs and the effectiveness of tutoring; Provide a summative report at the end of the academic year. PROPOSAL CRITERIA The Applicant s proposal, as well as any reference materials presented, must be written in English, on standard 8 1 /2 x 11 pages (although oversize exhibits are permissible), double-spaced, with a minimum font size of 10 and a maximum font size of 12. All proposal pages must be numbered. A completed proposal must contain a cover page, project narrative, budget, and timeline. The Applicant must address all items detailed below and provide, in sequence, the information and documentation as required. Cover Page Please complete and include Attachment 1.

3 Project Narrative The project narrative should be no more than 20 pages and must include: Understanding, Assurances, and Examples illustration of the Applicant s understanding of the RISE project requirements and project schedule; description of the Applicant s experience with individual and small group tutoring, including one or more examples; explanation of the Applicant s approach to student needs assessment and evaluation; Project Management means by which the Applicant will manage the project, ensure completion of the scope of services, and accomplish required objectives within the RISE project schedule by identifying key activities; and Budget Please complete and include Attachment 2. The annual budget may not exceed $30,000. Timeline Utilizing the Project Schedule above, please complete and include a detailed timeline. Proposal Review Process and Timeline The proposal evaluation process is designed to award the contract resulting from this RFP not necessarily to the applicant offering the lowest cost, but rather to the applicant offering the best combination of attributes based the evaluation criteria. Applicants are responsible for submissions of proposals within the time periods set forth within this RFP. The RISE RFP Review Team will initially screen proposals for completeness; any deficiencies must be addressed by the applicant by the RFP closing date of July 31, The following RFP Schedule of Events represents College Now s best estimate for this RFP: EVENT 1. RFP Issued July 15, Proposal Deadline July 31, Review Team determines finalists August 7, Contract Drafting August 14, Contract Signing August 31, 2015 DATE An Applicant must ensure that College Now receives a proposal no later than the Proposal Deadline time and date detailed in the RFP Schedule of Events. A proposal must respond, as required, to this RFP.

4 Proposals must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. on July 15, 2015 and must be submitted in the following manner: One electronic PDF sent electronically RFP Communications Any questions or concerns regarding this RFP should be directed to: Julie Szeltner Director of Program Operations Oral communication of any type will be considered unofficial and non-binding. Hiss, W.C. & Franks, V.W. (2014). Defining promise: optional standardized testing policies in American college and university admissions. Retrieved from

5 ATTACHMENT 1 COVER PAGE Name of Applicant: (Individual or Entity) Contact: (Name, title, address, mailing address, and telephone number of the person GEAR UP Ohio should contact regarding the proposal) President/CEO Name: Form of Business: (i.e. individual, sole proprietor, corporation, non-profit, partnership, limited liability company, etc.) Project Director(s): (Name, title, address, mailing address, and telephone number) Number of Years Applicant has been in business: Number of Years the Applicant has been performing the services required by this RFP: The Applicant s number of employees/capacity associated with this project: Current access to key national data sources (e.g. IPEDS, the National Student Clearinghouse, etc.): Name of any subcontractors and role:

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