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Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2008
John Silber Early Reading Initiative
Fund Code: 731-A
| Purpose: | The purpose of the state-funded John Silber Early Reading Initiative is to support identified school districts and schools in implementing proven scientifically based methods of reading instruction in K-3 classrooms in order to prevent reading difficulties and to have all students be proficient readers by the end of grade 3. |
| Priorities: | Program priorities are to:
implement effective reading programs, including instructional materials as well as instructional strategies, for grades K-3 that are consistent with instructional principles derived from scientifically based research in reading (SBRR) and the federal Reading First initiative;
use state selected methods for assessment of reading progress that include screening, diagnostic, progress monitoring, and outcomes assessments;
provide high-quality professional development to K-3 classroom teachers and K-12 special education teachers that will train these teachers in the five essential components of reading instruction, assessment, intervention strategies, etc.; and
develop an evaluation strategy that will provide valid and reliable information about the progress of all K-3 students in learning to read and provide data to the Massachusetts Department of Education for evaluation purposes.
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| Eligibility: | Eligible school districts are those that received John Silber Early Reading Initiative grants during FY2007. |
| Funding: | In FY2008, approximately $2.9 million is available to eligible school districts for continuation grants. The funds must be used for the schools identified in a district's John Silber 2007 continuation grant. See the attached chart for a list of eligible districts and funding amounts. This is subject to state appropriation of these funds.
If a school wishes to participate in the Voyager University professional development course or Scholastic Red, the funds for this activity will be in addition to the amount indicated on the chart. |
| Fund Use: | John Silber Early Reading Initiative funds may be used only to support the grant priorities. Of the total award a district receives on behalf of its funded schools, up to 3.5% may be used for district-level administrative purposes.
In designated schools, funds must be used for:
The balance of the funds may be used for one or more of the following purposes:
selecting and implementing a comprehensive scientifically based reading program, including core, supplemental, and intensive intervention materials;
providing stipends for coordination of the John Silber Early Reading program by a person with K-3 reading and leadership expertise, a 7-person assessment team, and teachers participating in study groups;
participating in a project of the Massachusetts Reading Network, the VoyagerU foundational reading course or Scholastic Red. If a school chooses to participate, 8-10 teachers should enroll. For VoyagerU, the cost of $995 per teacher should be part of this grant application. To learn more, visit: www.voyageru.com (click on Massachusetts) or see the attached brochure. For Scholastic Red, the cost of $955 per teacher should be part of this grant application. To learn more, visit www.ScholasticRed.com or see the attached brochure;
providing high-quality professional development for K-3 teachers and K-12 special education teachers who work with students whose reading ability is at the same level as K-3 students; and
other related items.
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| Project Duration: |
Upon Approval - 6/30/2008
In order to receive funding, districts will submit a budget, progress reports, and other information in a manner and at a time requested by the Department. Schools will assess students, using the assessments outlined in the Reading First Assessment Framework. |
| Program Unit: | Office of Reading and Language Arts |
| Contacts: |
Amy Carithers (781) 338-3508
Dorothy Earle (781) 338-6265 |
| Due Date: | Applications are due on a rolling submission basis. However, to ensure payment early in the 2007-2008 school year, we recommend that you submit this proposal no later than Friday, August 10, 2007.
Note: Applications submitted or approved after September 1, 2007, can legally claim expenses to the grant only from the date of final Department approval. Therefore, it is important to have district contact staff that can be reached in August to respond to questions, as needed. |
| Required Forms: |
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| PART I | John Silber Early Reading Initiative Budget Workbook including Standard Contract and Application for Program Grants |
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| PART II | Instructions and Required Program Information |
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| PART III | Assurance from School District |
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| PART IV | Assurance from Each Participating School |
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Additional
Information: |
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Submission
Instructions: | The John Silber Early Reading Initiative application package, including the budget workbook, may be downloaded from the Grants Management Web site. The signed cover page and assurances should be mailed to Alexia Cribbs. The application, budget workbook, and related documents should be submitted electronically to reading@doe.mass.edu. For questions, please contact Alexia Cribbs at 781-338-3581.
Alexia Cribbs
Office of Reading and Language Arts
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148-5023
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