Mass.gov skip to main contentState Government · State Services   
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Go to Selected Program Area
Massachusetts State Seal
News School/District Profiles School/District Administration Educator Services Assessment/Accountability Family & Community  
> Administration Finance/Grants PK-16 Program Support Information Services  
> Recent Updates
> Accounting & Auditing
> Chapter 70 Program
> Charter Schools
> Circuit Breaker
> ESE Budget
> Federal Renovation Program
> Grants: Information
> Nutrition Programs
> Per Pupil Expenditures
> Regional Districts
> School Building Issues
> School Choice
> School Finance Regulations
> Statistical Comparisons
> Transportation
> Vocational Education
> School Finance Contacts
> Links

Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2008

School Redesign: Expanding Learning Time to Support Student Success - Planning Grant
Fund Code: 226

MEMORANDUM

To: Superintendents of Schools
From: David P. Driscoll, Commissioner of Education
Date: August 16, 2007
Subject: FY2008 School Redesign: Expanding Learning Time Planning Grants

I am pleased to announce that the School Redesign: Expanding Learning Time to Support Student Success Planning Grant Request for Proposals (RFP) is now posted on the Department's website.

The Expanded Learning Time Planning Grant is intended to support a district's planning activities to use longer school days/years as a strategy to raise student achievement. The grant provides resources for: districts to plan the innovative redesign of selected schools by adding time to their schedules for English language arts, mathematics, and other core subjects; planning time and professional development for teachers; and integrated enrichment opportunities for students. Districts will plan to expand the hours and/or days of operation by adding no less than 300 hours to the current schedule for all students in the participating schools. Districts may plan to open the expanded time schools either in September 2008 or September 2009.

Through a competitive process, the Department will award up to $250,000 in planning grants. At least 60 percent of the grants will go to districts with 25 percent or more students eligible for free or reduced price meals. However, all districts are eligible to apply.

Districts that are awarded planning grants will use the funds to convene principals, school teams, collective bargaining representatives, external partners, and others to develop an implementation plan that details the structure of their new school day and year and the steps they will take to make the plan operational. Districts that develop approvable implementation plans will be eligible for state funding of $1,300 per student to establish Expanded Learning Time schools, pending future state appropriation.

I hope your district will consider this unique opportunity. Please note that the date due for applications is Friday, September 28, 2007. For more information, please contact:

Sarah McLaughlin smclaughlin@doe.mass.edu781.338.3589;or
Diane Beck dbeck@doe.mass.edu781.338.6302.
E-mail this page| Print View| Print Pdf  
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Search · Site Index · Policies · Site Info · Contact ESE