Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2008

The partners will plan, develop, and pilot model inclusive education practices and programs in IHEs for students with disabilities, ages 18-22, who are considered to have severe disabilities and have not achieved the Competency Determination necessary for high school graduation (by passing the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam).

These programs must:

1. be designed to promote and enhance academic, social, functional, and employment skills and outcomes;

2. offer credit and non-credit courses;

3. provide opportunities for students with severe disabilities to participate with their non-disabled peers in inclusive credit or non-credit courses, in accordance with the institution's enrollment policies; and

4. promote participation in the student life of the college community.

Students will participate in inclusive learning opportunities in the IHEs that will promote the development of:

1. self-advocacy and self-determination skills;

2. career planning and employment skills; and

3. improved academic, social, and functional skills.

Partnerships are encouraged to design their programs to include community-based integrated employment opportunities for participating students that relate directly to course selection and career goals.

1. All proposals must present a partnership between high schools(s) in public school district(s) and two-year or four-year state public institutions(s) of higher education (IHE) and be designed to serve students with severe disabilities in inclusive settings.

2. Public school districts and state public institutions of higher education are eligible to apply on behalf of the partnership. Partnerships may consist of multiple high schools.

3. Districts with total student enrollment of 3,000 or more as reported to the Department of Education in the Student Information Management System (SIMS) October 2007 reporting period may be the only district in the partnership.

4. Districts with a total student enrollment of less than 3,000 students must be in a partnership that includes additional districts. Due to relatively small numbers of students in the target population, partnerships with multiple districts will help ensure the sustainability of programs. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the Department for assistance with connecting with other districts if needed.

5. IHEs participating currently in the FY2008 Fund Code: 235-A grant program are not eligible to participate in this program. These institutions may amend their proposals to engage in planning with additional districts through their current FY2008 Fund Code: 235-A grant.

Upon Approval - 8/31/2008

1. A total of $235,000 is available for FY2008. Individual proposals may apply for up to $47,000. No more than 5 proposals will be funded.

2. This is the first year of a three-year grant program. Awards for FY2009-2011 are contingent upon appropriation of funds and successful completion of grant activities.

Funds must be used for:

1. stipends and/or salaries for project personnel implementing grant activities at the high school(s) and IHE; and

2. associated costs for mentoring and technical assistance to support the development and implementation of the proposed model; and

3. tuition/fees for students; and

4. textbooks, materials, and other associated costs to support the student coursework and participation on the college campus.

Funds may be used for:

1. fringe benefits for project personnel;

2. training supplies, including site costs;

3. stipends for stakeholder group members, including parents and youth leaders;

4. consultants;

5. assistive technology (the necessary technology to ensure full access to the curriculum);

6. student transportation costs (over and above preexisting transportation fees);

7. in-state travel costs;

8. indirect costs for school districts at the Department rate; and

9. indirect costs for the IHEs at the approved Department rate or at a maximum of 11%.

Funds may not be used for:

1. pre-existing student transportation costs;

2. equipment or vehicles;

3. out-of-state travel; and

4. conference registration fees.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

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

		Evaluation Criteria Scorecard
		Appendix A: FY2008 Implementation Progress Report

Applicant agencies will be required to submit to the Department of Education the following reports:

1. a progress report due to the Department on Thursday, March 27, 2008, detailing infrastructure and program development activities to-date (See Appendix A.); and

2. a report due to the Department on Thursday, May 15, 2008, describing student, family, and faculty training activities conducted and information on the number of students participating in the program and the courses in which the students will be enrolled; and

3. a report at the end of the grant period providing the following:

   1. course outcomes for each student participating in the program;

   2. a brief description of the inclusive opportunities provided to participating students; and

   3. a summary of expenditures. This report will be in addition to the required End of Year Financial Report (FR-1).

The above information will be used for purposes of evaluation and continuation of funding.

Participating agencies must agree to work with personnel from the Federation for Children with Special Needs on activities associated with family participation.

Participating agencies must agree to attend training and technical assistance workshops provided by the Department of Education.

Submit five (5) hard-copy sets, each with an original signature of the Superintendent/ Executive Director/IHE President. Mail to:

William Blackwell
Special Education Planning and Policy Development
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148-5023