2019-2020

We are excited to announce the 3rd annual Better Together Challenge for the 2019-2020 academic year. This opportunity is designed to empower students and their teachers/educators to work together to create inclusive and equitable school climates. The Center for Child and Family Success at Arizona State University is inviting each public school serving 6th through 12th grade students in Maricopa County to submit a proposal designed to promote a more inclusive, respectful, and positive environment in your school.

Separate challenges will be arranged for middle schools and high schools. Elementary schools serving K-8th grade are welcome to apply and will be included in the middle school category. Up to 5 semi-finalist teams will be selected in the middle school category and up to 5 semi-finalist teams will be selected in the high school category. All 10 semi-finalists will be provided with funds to implement their plan with support from ASU's Better Together Challenge Committee.

One middle school team and one high school team will be selected as the Better Together Challenge winner and will be awarded a financial prize. All winning and semi-finalist teams will be recognized at our Better Together Challenge Awards Ceremony.

The Better Together Challenge Timeline

• Notification of Intent to Submit a proposal: Friday, September 6, 2019
• Project Proposal Deadline: Friday, September 27, 2019

Step 1

Are you interested in participating in this year's challenge? Send in your notification of intent by midnight on Friday, September 6, 2019.

Step 2

Partner with your principal to complete the signature approval page and email it to the Better Together Team at info@bettertogetherchallenge.org. This form must be received before you submit your proposal. Your principal is very busy; do not wait until the last minute to complete this step!

Step 3

Review the Better Together Challenge Project Proposal Checklist to help your team prepare and guide your progress.

Step 4

Read through the project proposal questionnaire with your team and advisor. There are four major sections to this submission: 1) identifying the problem in your school, 2) setting your project goals, 3) creating project plans, and 4) evaluating the project's effectiveness.

Step 5

Once you've submitted the signature approval form, completed the Better Together Challenge Project Proposal Checklist, and drafted your project proposal questionnaire responses, the final step is submitting your online project proposal form.

We are excited to read your team's ideas!

Helpful resources

• Please read the BTC guide to better understand this opportunity: The Better Together Challenge Guide
• The Better Together Challenge Project Proposal Checklist
• Share the Challenge! Download the Better Together Challenge Flyer (.PDF) to advertise at your school.