Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2007

School Redesign: Expanding Learning Time to Support Student Success - Planning state-funded grants are intended to support a district's planning activities to use longer school days/years as part of its redesign strategy to raise student achievement. The grants provide resources for districts to plan the innovative redesign of selected schools that will offer all students more time for challenging, research-based, and varied learning experiences.

Districts will plan to expand the hours and/or days of operation in schools by adding no less than 25% additional time or 300 hours to the current schedule for all students in the participating schools. The increased time is intended to:

1. provide more instructional opportunities in mathematics, literacy, science, and other core subjects to support student achievement;

2. integrate enrichment opportunities into student learning; and

3. provide educators with increased opportunities to plan and to participate in professional development.

The Planning Grants provide districts with the funds to engage in the analysis and planning needed to develop Implementation Plans for redesigned schools with Expanded Learning Time to better meet student, school, and district goals. (See Attachment C for Required Components of Implementation Plans.) Redesign will likely include changes in instruction and curriculum, student assignment and schedules, teacher schedules, staffing, transportation, as well as, coordination with partner organizations in order to capitalize upon an expanded school schedule for September 2007 or September 2008 start up.

Districts may conduct the planning within two timeframes - either a September 2007 or September 2008 start for Expanded Learning Time schools. For a September 2007 start, Preliminary Implementation Plans are due in January 2007. For a September 2008 start, Preliminary Implementation Plans are due in August 2007. (See Attachment B for the complete Timetable.)

NOTE: Funding for planning is available only through this grant until June 30, 2007 whether or not districts are intending to expand their school day/year beginning in September 2007 or September 2008.

Priorities are to:

1. enable districts to explore the feasibility of school redesign by assessing need, interest, readiness, and capacity of specific schools to increase the school schedule by adding no less than 25% additional time or 300 hours to the current schedule;

2. prepare a design for Expanded Learning Time in the identified schools by offering additional instructional and integrated enrichment opportunities as well as increased opportunities for teachers to plan and receive training; and

3. engage, as appropriate, in the design and implementation of the Expanded Learning Time initiative, including the following entities: collective bargaining representatives; parents; community-based organizations; school-aged childcare agencies, including after school programs; and universities and colleges.

Not less than 60% of the grants will go to districts with 25% or more students eligible for free or reduced price meals. Other districts are eligible to apply; preference will be given to districts:

1. that have high percentages of students performing in the failing/warning or needs improvement performance categories on the MCAS;

2. with high percentages of students eligible for free or reduced price meals;

3. with plans that have the greatest potential for district-wide impact; and

4. with intentional plans to work with outside organizations, such as: community-based agencies; school aged childcare organizations; institutions of higher education, etc.

Upon Approval - 6/30/2007

(Extension available for July 1, 2007- August 31, 2007) Districts that plan to provide activities from 7/1/2007 - 8/31/2007 must submit a separate budget with a narrative explaining the summer work.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

2006 Competitive proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the date due.

		Part I - General - Program Unit Signature Page - (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)
		Part II Budget Detail Pages (Include both pages) - Instructions
		Part III - Required Program Information
		Attachment A - Data Profile(s) for Each School

• Current School Improvement Plan(s) for each selected school. Only one (1) copy needed.

Submit 3 signature pages, each with an original signature of the Superintendent/ Executive Director by mail to:

Diane Beck
School and District Intervention
Massachusetts Department of Education
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148-5023

NOTE: The remaining forms and narrative pieces should be submitted electronically to dbeck@doe.mass.edu.