Apps Mission Skills Data Resources Grant About
CRITICAL THINKING GRANT

Deadline:  Currently closed. Please check back in February for the 2027-28 school year.

Who:  California middle schools or high schools, public or charter, with 400+ students.

Goal:  Improve students’ media literacy and critical thinking skills, in alignment with California AB 873. See Mission

Award:  $40,000 per year, potentially up to 3 years.

Objective:  Critical thinking is usually approached as a whole, while, according to data, the fundamental component skills get little instruction. This grant is part of our research on the effectiveness of these fundamental component skills, including media literacy, to foster high-level critical thinking.

Expectations:

•  Dedicate 20% of a certified staff member’s time to serve as the Critical Thinking Coordinator (CTC) for the school. The CTC will:
•  Curate and create curriculum and resources for your teachers.
•  Meet with teachers throughout the year to encourage and coordinate lessons.
•  Administer online tests provided by us at the start and end of the year.

Teachers may interpret and teach critical thinking skills as they see fit. Use of our learning apps is encouraged but not required.

Reporting:  Occasional remote meetings to discuss plans, data, challenges, and successes, and to provide general feedback to us on lessons and resources.
(No written reports required.)

Research:  We are measuring the collective effect of increased instruction over the long term in the real world, not the effectiveness of each specific lesson or resource in laboratory conditions. We will analyze the data and publish our findings.

Questions:  [email protected]