Archived Information

Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2006

Dropout Prevention and Alternative Education Self-Assessment Project
Fund Code: 790-B

February 6, 2006

Dear Superintendent:

I am pleased to announce the availability of a new Request for Proposals (RFP) to support schools with persistently high annual dropout rates. The state-funded Dropout Prevention and Alternative Education Self-Assessment Project (Fund Code: 790-B) provides funding to eligible high schools to support a self-assessment of dropout prevention and alternative education. Eligible schools must have a high school enrollment of at least 500 students and must have a dropout rate of at least 5.0 percent in at least four of the last five school years (1999-2000 through 2003-2004).

Eligible schools will use grant funding to support a workgroup composed of a variety of school and district staff, parents and students, and other community stakeholders. The workgroup will be responsible for an analysis of school dropouts and dropout prevention policies and an analysis of how alternative education is used currently or could be incorporated into the school structure in the future. Districts accepting Dropout Prevention and Alternative Education Self-Assessment funds will be required to:

1. have at least one school representative attend the state conference, Enhancing Alternative Education, on April 13, 2006; and

2. submit a report to the Department on workgroup findings and action steps for decreasing the dropout rate and improving or establishing an alternative education program connected with the school.

Attached is a list of the school(s) in your district that are eligible to participate in this grant program. Eligible districts may apply for $3,000 - $5,000 to support the self-assessment project.

For more information about the Dropout Prevention and Alternative Education Self-Assessment Project, please contact Jenny Caldwell, State Coordinator of Alternative Education, at jcaldwell@doe.mass.edu or 781-338-6839.

Sincerely,

David P. Driscoll
Commissioner of Education