Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2008

The purpose of these federal Learn and Serve America funds is to:

1. increase the practice of service-learning as a methodology for implementing the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, K-12 (See the definition of high-quality service-learning in the Additional Information section below.);

2. support the institutionalization and sustainability of service-learning district-wide;

3. improve the quality of service-learning initiatives;

4. provide more opportunities for low-income students to engage in service-learning; and

5. identify and address significant barriers to student achievement and, through service-learning and other activities, implement solutions to those barriers.

Funding priority will be given to districts (or schools):

1. with percentages of low-income students at or above the state average, as indicated by the number of students eligible for free/reduced price meals;

2. with graduation rates at or below the state average;

3. that propose programs targeted at at-risk students; and/or

4. that demonstrate plans for integration of CSL activities with other educational initiatives (e.g., academic support, alternative education, etc.).

Grants will be awarded to districts that propose activities that address the following priorities:

1. implementing and aligning classroom-based service-learning activities with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks;

2. developing a plan to institutionalize service-learning practice through ongoing professional development, connecting to the district's mission, policies, and practices, as well as connecting to other educational initiatives;

3. identifying and working with community partners to meet identified needs of young people (particularly those who are at-risk);

4. providing teachers and administrators with professional development opportunities needed to implement high-quality community service-learning;

5. demonstrating a commitment to networking with other districts to share best practices in service-learning implementation and institutionalization; and

6. implementing service-learning projects that serve to reduce barriers to learning. Examples include, but are not limited to: truancy; substance abuse issues; school violence/climate; homelessness; and literacy/language barriers. (See the Needs Statement in the Additional Information section for more details.)

Funds may be used for stipends or salaries for staff to coordinate the CSL initiative, curriculum development, teacher stipends, consultants, substitutes, transportation of student participants, travel, conferences, purchase of materials and supplies, printing, and reproduction of materials.

Funds may not be used for the purchase of computer/audio visual hardware, copiers, or vehicles.

Indirect/overhead costs may not be paid from this grant.

Please note: In-kind and cash match must be tracked and documented as a requirement of the grant and cannot include a match from other Corporation for National and Community Service funding. See the Learn and Serve provisions in Additional Information for grant spending requirements.

Friday, July 13, 2007

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

• Needs Statement

  The overarching need identified as a priority by the Department Community Service-Learning (CSL) program is improving student achievement. To accomplish this goal, the Department will focus CSL efforts on addressing local needs identified as barriers to learning and work with schools and districts to address these needs, improve instruction, and increase student engagement through the use of service-learning.

• Definition of Service-Learning

  In 1990, the Corporation for National and Community Service said that service-learning:

  • Promotes learning through active participation in service experiences;

  • Provides structured time for students to reflect by thinking, discussing, and/or writing about their service experience;

  • Provides an opportunity for students to use skills and knowledge in real-life situations;

  • Extends learning beyond the classroom and into the community; and

  • Fosters a sense of caring for others (as adapted from the National and Community Service Act of 1990).

The National Commission on Service-Learning defined service-learning in 2001 as follows: "Service-learning is a teaching and learning approach that integrates community service with academic study to enrich learning, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities."

• Key Elements to High Quality Service-Learning

  • Service that meets a community need;

  • Explicit, authentic, and guided learning;

  • Youth decision-making; and

  • Analytic reflection.

•  Learn and Serve America Grant Provisions

• > List of Eligible Districts -- Revised 6/27/2007

• The Scoring Rubric is available upon request.

Submit six (6) sets of all required forms, with original signatures of the Superintendent/ Executive Director. Mail to:

Donna Pisaturo
Student Support Unit
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148-5023