AERA-APPROVED AWARDS Section 1. Name of the Awards. The SIG shall present on an annual basis, when merited, the following Award as approved by Council: School Turnaround and Reform Scholar Award and the Graduate Student Travel Grant. Section 2. The School Turnaround and Reform Scholar Award. This award shall be presented to an outstanding researcher in the field of school turnaround and reform. Section 2a. The School Turnaround and Reform Scholar Award is presented to the individual or individuals who meet the following criteria as approved by the SIG and Council: All School Turnaround and Reform SIG members in good standing with AERA are eligible for the award (a plaque). The SIG membership however, will not be used as an evaluative criterion in judging the quality of submissions. Members can self nominate or be nominated by a colleague. Prior award winner will not be eligible to reapply; however, prior nominees (who did not win the award) are eligible to re-apply. Section 2b. The process for determining the individual or individuals deserving of the School Turnaround and Reform Scholar Award is as follows: Nominees (or their nominator) will fill out a one page application form and provide a 500 word (max) letter noting how their scholarship and research has contributed to school turnaround and research/policy/practice, as well as his/her commitment to the mission of our SIG. The envisioned nomination process will be: • Early November – the Chair solicits volunteers for the nomination committee and sends out a call for nominees • Early December – the Chair forms a nomination committee based on the pull of volunteers (a min of three members) • Mid January – completed nomination forms are due • End of January – the nomination committee is sent all the applications for the review • Mid February – the nomination committee will gather on a conference call to review and discuss the proposal and make a final determination on the award winner • Early March – the chair of the nomination committee will inform all nominees of the final decision and send the winners information to AERA for plaque design Section 3. Graduate Student Travel Grant. This award shall be presented to a graduate student to help support their financial costs related to the AERA meeting. Section 3a. The Graduate Student Travel Grant in the amount of $250 is presented to an individual who meets the following criteria as approved by the SIG and Council: All School Turnaround and Reform SIG graduate student members in good standing with AERA are eligible for the scholarship. The SIG membership however, will not be used as an evaluative criterion in judging the quality of submissions. Members can self nominate or be nominated by a colleague. Prior award winners will not be eligible to reapply; however, prior nominees (who did not win the award) are eligible to re-apply. Section 3b. The process for determining the individual deserving of the Graduate Student Travel Grant is as follows: Nominees (or their nominator) will fill out a one page application form and provide a 500 word (max) letter noting the scholastic and leadership qualities of the nominee, his/her contribution to the field of school turnaround and reform efforts, as well as his/her commitment to the mission of our SIG. The envisioned nomination process will be: • Early November – the Chair solicits volunteers for the nomination committee and sends out a call for nominees • Early December – the Chair forms a nomination committee based on the pull of volunteers (a min of three members) • Mid January – completed nomination forms are due • End of January – the nomination committee is sent all the applications for the review • Mid February – the nomination committee will gather on a conference call to review and discuss the proposal and make a final determination on the award winner • Early March – the chair of the nomination committee will inform all nominees of the final decision and send the winners information to AERA for check processing and a certificate design