Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2007

The goal of this state-funded competitive program is to:

1. provide Summer remediation in English language arts (ELA) and/or mathematics for students in the Classes of 2010-2011 (students who will be entering grades nine and ten in the fall of 2007) who scored in the warning level on the 7^th and/or 8^th grade English language arts and/or mathematics MCAS tests; and

2. serve as a part of a comprehensive intervention plan to help students meet and exceed the Competency Determination standards on their initial try in the spring of their 10th grade year. These services are to supplement currently funded local, state, and federal programs.

Funding priority will be given to districts with high percentages of students who have not yet met the Competency Determination required for high school graduation and who can demonstrate that their program will help to close achievement gaps where they exist currently.

Program parameters include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. proposed programs may serve students in the Classes of 2010-2011 who have scored at the warning level on the 7^th and/or 8^th grade English language arts and/or mathematics MCAS tests or whose Individual Student Success Plans (ISSPs) recommend additional support services in order to pass the 10th grade MCAS. (This ISSP documentation must be available upon request.);

2. proposed programs must provide identified students with small group instruction 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;

3. proposed programs must use services and strategies that have proven results; and

4. proposed programs must ensure that services are available to students with disabilities.

Final grant recipients and award amounts will be based on the quality of the proposed programs and the amount of unclaimed Fund Code: 632/625 allocation grant funds available.

All grant recipients will receive a joint Fund Code: 619-B-3/592-B-3 grant that will cover School Year planning and recruitment activities (through Fund Code: 619-B-3) and Summer services and activities (through Fund Code: 592-B-3).

Each eligible applicant may submit a 619-B-3/592-B-3 proposal for up to $50,000 to cover School Year and Summer costs. The specific amount applied for should reflect the scope of services proposed. One budget (Fund Code: 619-B-3) must be submitted for planning and recruitment activities that will take place from January 1 - June 30, 2007. The second budget (Fund Code: 592-B-3) must be for services and activities that will take place July 1 - August 31, 2007. The total of the two budgets must equal the total amount requested under this 619-B-3/592-B-3 proposal.

1. Funds must be used to extend student learning time in English language arts and/or mathematics by expanding successful programs or initiating new direct services for students in the Classes of 2010-2011 who scored at the warning levels on the 7^th and/or 8^th grade ELA and/or mathematics MCAS tests or whose Individual Student Success Plans (ISSPs) recommend additional support services in order to pass the 10th grade MCAS. Funds must be used solely for the academic portions of programs and focus on the acquisition of skills in English and mathematics needed to pass the MCAS.

2. Funds must be used for activities that may include, but are not limited to: School Year activities, such as:

   1. planning and recruitment activities; and

   2. professional development for instructors working in the program.

   Summer services and activities, such as:

   1. integrated tutoring and mentoring programs;

   2. supplemental web-based tutorial programs that are diagnostic and prescriptive;

   3. the English and mathematics components of Summer programs;

   4. incentives for students that remove barriers to participation (e.g., academic supplies, academic-related field trips, book store gift certificates, or other rewards for program attendance and completion, etc.);

   5. necessary student transportation;

   6. activities to educate parents and high school students on remediation options; and

   7. transition services for students entering high school.

3. No more than 15% of the total amount of funding may be budgeted for supplies. This 15% is a percentage of the total amount received through the School Year (619-B-3) plus the Summer (592-B-3) budgets; it does not apply to the School Year budget or the Summer budget independently.

4. No more than 15% of the total amount of funding may be used for program coordination costs (stipends for program coordinator, bookkeeper, secretary, evaluator, etc.). This 15% is a percentage of the total amount received through the School Year (619-B-3) plus the Summer (592-B-3) budgets; it does not apply to the School Year budget or the Summer budget independently.

5. Programs must supplement currently funded local, state, and federal programs at the school or district.

6. Under no circumstances may students be charged a fee to enroll or attend the Academic Support Programs. This includes refundable registration fees.

7. If funds are used to provide services to students who do not meet the eligibility requirements of this grant program, or to serve significantly fewer students than proposed, the Department may request the of return such funds or withhold an appropriate amount of funds not yet paid.

Fund Code: 619-B-3 Upon Approval - 6/30/2007 (School Year Planning and Recruitment Activities)

Fund Code: 592-B-3 7/1/2007 - 8/31/2007 (Summer Program Services)

All proposals must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15, 2006.

• Narrative Evaluations :

  The Evaluation Guidelines must be used in preparing narrative reports addressing the overall effectiveness of the program (due by September 28, 2007). These guidelineswill be provided by the Department to all grant recipients and posted to the Fund Code: 619/592 web pages http://www.doe.mass.edu/as/grants/?fc=619.

• Individual Student Data Information

  Student Data Information is required to be submitted through the Department's Security Portal (due by September 28, 2007). Dates and details will be provided by the Department upon grant approval and will be posted to the Academic Support data web pages: http://www.doe.mass.edu/data.

• Professional Development Sessions

  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 to http://www.doe.mass.edu/as/pd/.

• Scoring Rubric

  Available upon request. (See Contact information above.)

• General guidance on Academic Support programs can be found in the applicable portions of the Academic Support Allocation Grant General Guidelines (   ) and Vendor Guidelines documents (   ).

Submit 4 sets, at least one of which is marked clearly as an original with original signatures of the lead applicant's District Superintendent/Executive Director on the Part I and Assurances documents. Hand-deliver (to the third floor receptionist and call x3203 to notify) or mail to:

Margaret Gibbons
Administrative Assistant
Student Support
Massachusetts Department of Education
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148-5023