Educational Spotlight Grants Eligibility Requirements
Pedernales Electric Cooperative’s (PEC) Community Grants program awards grants of up to $1,000 to eligible classrooms for qualified projects located within the PEC service area or in a community surrounded by the PEC service area. The grants are made possible by PEC members’ participation in the Power of Change program.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a full-time educator teaching in a K-8th grade classroom.
- Must teach in a classroom located within PEC’s service area or a community served by PEC.
- Must teach at a public school or nonpublic school recognized by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC) and the Commissioner of Education.
Other Guidelines
- No more than one grant will be awarded per teacher per year.
- No more than two grants per school district will be awarded annually.
- Projects may support individual classrooms, grade levels, or broader instructional initiatives.
PEC Educational Grants funds must be used for expenses directly tied to the approved project, including but not limited to:
- Classroom supplies and materials.
- Educational tools and instructional resources, including field trips.
- Consumable items needed to complete the project.
PEC Educational Grants cannot be used for:
Ineligible uses include facility renovations, religious instruction, non-academic projects, professional development, fundraising, pre-k programs, and tuition.
Implementation Timeline:
- Grant funds must be used within the same school year the grant is awarded.
- Any unused funds must be returned at the end of the school year.
Evaluation Factors
- Student Impact:
- Demonstrates a clear and measurable benefit to student learning and engagement.
- Positively impacts academic outcomes or skill development.
- Bonus: Shows potential for continuation, expansion, or replication.
- Classroom Need:
- Addresses a clearly identified classroom or instructional need.
- Grant funds are essential for project success.
- Bonus: School designation (Title 1).
- Innovation and Creativity:
- Proposes a creative or innovative instructional approach.
- Project makes learning memorable and engaging.
- Strengthens curriculum-aligned academic objectives in new or enhanced ways.
- Planning Implementation:
- Presents a clear and well-organized plan for implementation.
- Timeline is realistic and achievable within the school year.
- Teacher demonstrates readiness and capability to carry out the project.
- Budget and Cost Effectiveness:
- Budget is reasonable, detailed, and directly tied to the project.
- Demonstrates responsible use of funds and overall value.