School districts can now apply for grants to implement evidence-based programs to improve on-track rates
Arizona – This week, the Arizona Department of Education published a Request for Proposals for 9th Grade On Track grant funding. These grants, funded by the legislature in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, will enable schools to roll out evidence-based programming to improve graduation and on-track rates.
Ninth grade has been described as one of the most important years for a student’s education. Students who finish freshman year on-track for graduation are “3x more likely to graduate on-time.” In Chicago, improved on-track rates also came with improvements in overall academic performance. Across all CHSS schools, absenteeism has dropped by 26 points and on-track rates are up 19 points.
Currently, 4,900 students are benefiting from these programs across the Phoenix Union, JO Combs Unified, and Tolleson Union school districts. At Camelback High School, this program has helped improve the on-track rate by nearly 100% and the graduation rate by 20 points, decrease the absenteeism rate by 20 points, and allowed students more opportunities to take CTE classes to prepare for future careers. The grant will allow almost 20,000 more students to benefit from 9th Grade On Track programming.
For help applying, school districts can contact Gina Yacovetta at [email protected].
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