Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2006

Funding priority will be given to programs that propose to provide services in districts with high percentages of students scoring in the failing category on the MCAS. In addition, priority will be given to school-to-career connecting activities Work and Learning programs that connect structured internships to targeted academic instruction for eligible students.

1. Proposed programs at the high school level may serve only students in the classes of 2003 - 2007 who have not yet passed the 10^th grade MCAS and subsequent re-test(s) in English language arts and/or mathematics.

2. Preference should be given to students who must make significant progress in order to meet state graduation requirements. These students should include those scoring at 216 and below on the 10^th grade MCAS, students with limited English proficiency, and students with disabilities.

3. Significant funding priority is given to applicants providing services to students in high schools with high percentages of students who have yet to meet the competency determination.

4. Proposed programs must provide identified students with intensive, small-group instruction, or one-on-one tutoring that addresses identified gaps in their acquisition of knowledge and skills in English language arts and/or mathematics as described in the students' Individual Student Success Plans.

5. Programs must use innovative, research-based practices and supports designed to engage and instruct identified students.

6. Partnerships between outside organizations and individual or groups of high schools should be considered to design and implement program models that improve the academic success for the identified students.

7. Preference will be given to quality applications proposing to serve areas not already scheduled to receive summer funds through the Fund Code: 597 Work and Learning grants awarded in August 2005. However, consideration will also be given to currently scheduled recipients who propose significant expansion and provide documentation of the need and opportunity.

   (See http://finance1.doe.mass.edu/Grants/grants06/awards/597.html.)

Funds may be used for:

• salaries for qualified teachers of mathematics or English language arts;

• stipends to support direct services, planning, and program coordination;

• consultant and contract fees to provide program-related professional development;

• supplies;

• tutorial software;

• incentives for students that remove barriers for participation;

• incentives to attract and support qualified staff to optimize services to students; and

• necessary student transportation.

In-kind contributions and other funds to support this grant program are strongly encouraged. No more than 15% of the total amount of the grant may be budgeted for supplies. No more than 20% may be budgeted for coordination of the program. Funds must be used to supplement, not supplant, existing programs and activities. Funds may not be used for direct stipends to students.

NOTE: Funds must be used to support student services during the summer (2006), but a minimal amount of funds may also be used for planning and recruitment purposes in the spring (2006).

Friday, March 3, 2006

Competitive proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the date due.

To apply for funding, submit a grant application that includes all of the required elements.

• Application for Summer Program Funds: [ WORD | PDF ]

• Fund Code: 597 Summer Program - Program Unit Signature Page (Part I - General: Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants): [ WORD | PDF ]

• Part II Budget Detail Pages (Include both pages): [ WORD | PDF | EXCEL | Instructions ]

• Schedule C - Statement of Participation and Support: [ WORD | PDF ]

PLEASE NOTE: Funds used to provide services to students who do not meet the eligibility requirements of this grant constitute grounds for a request of return of funds for those students. Additionally, those applicants enrolling significantly fewer students than proposed will be requested to return unused funds for redistribution.

• Evaluation Guidelines
  http://finance1.doe.mass.edu/Grants/grants06/rfp/doc/596_597_b.doc

  The Evaluation Guidelines must be used in preparing narrative reports addressing the overall effectiveness of the program (due by September 29, 2006).

• Individual Student Data Information is required to be submitted through the Department's Security Portal. Data is due after each program session; dates and details will be provided by the Department upon grant approval.

• Grantees are expected to have personnel (coordinators, data entry staff, instructors, etc.) attend appropriate Academic Support professional development workshop and data training sessions. We welcome your input and feedback on the workshops. A schedule of sessions will be sent to grantees and posted on the Department's Academic Support web pages.

Submit 4 sets, each with an original signature of the Superintendent/Executive Director. Mail to:

Keith Westrich
Academic Support
Massachusetts Department of Education
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148-5023