Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2009

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 Community Service Learning (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 additional priorities:

1. implementing and aligning classroom-based and/or after-school 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 and sustain 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.)

Planning and Implementation - A

Eligible to apply for up to $10,500

Public school districts that did not receive a CSL grant from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in FY2008 and have received no more than one year of CSL funding from the Department in the last five (5) years.

A list of these eligible districts is attached here.

     Districts Eligible to Apply for FY2009 CSL Planning and Implementation - A Grants

Planning and Implementation - B

Eligible to apply for up to $7,000

Public school districts that did not receive a CSL grant from the Department in FY2008 but had more than one year of CSL funding in the last five (5) years from the Department.

A list of these eligible districts is attached here.

    Districts Eligible to Apply for FY2009 CSL Planning and Implementation - B Grants

Planning and Implementation - 21^st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC)

Eligible to apply for up to $10,500

Public school districts that are:

1. receiving a FY2009 21^st CCLC Continuation grant (through Fund Code: 647-A) or are a partner with a Fund Code: 647-A 21^st CCLC non-district recipient; and

2. are NOT eligible to apply for a FY2009 Continuation Grant through Fund Codes: 354-A or 355-A.

Districts that are eligible in both this category and one of the above Planning and Implementation categories may apply for funds under ONE category, not both. Approximately five (5) Planning and Implementation - 21^st CCLC grants will be awarded.

A list of these eligible districts is attached here.

    Districts Eligible to Apply for FY2009 CSL Planning and Implementation - 21^st CCLC Grants

Applicants may apply for up to the following amounts, provided they can demonstrate the respective cost share.

Planning and Implementation - A and Planning and Implementation - 21^st CCLC grantees will be eligible to apply for funding of up to $10,500 for FY2009 (with a 100 percent match). These grantees will be eligible to apply for up to four subsequent years of continuation grants (Fund Code: 354-A grants: Sustainability A at $7,000 for year 2 and Sustainability B, C, and D at $4,000 each year for years 3-5).

Planning and Implementation - B grantees will be eligible to apply for funding of up to $7,000 for FY2009 (with a 125 percent match). These grantees will be eligible to apply for up to three subsequent continuation grants (Fund Code: 354-A grants: Sustainability B, C, and D at $4,000 each year for years 2-4).

FOR ALL THREE CATEGORIES

Complete Schedule B to document the in-kind and cash match.

Continuation grants are pending funding availability and for each applicant are dependant upon successful completion of the previous year's grant and demonstrated progress towards institutionalization of CSL

Funds may be used for:

1. stipends or salaries for staff to coordinate the CSL initiative;

2. curriculum development;

3. teacher stipends;

4. consultants;

5. substitutes;

6. transportation of student participants;

7. travel;

8. conferences;

9. purchase of materials and supplies;

10. printing; and

11. reproduction of materials.

Funds should be budgeted to cover travel, substitutes, and other costs for required trainings provided by the Department.

Funds may not be used for the purchase of computer/audio visual hardware, copiers, or vehicles. Indirect/overhead costs may not be paid using these funds.

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. The match can be NCLB Title IV-B 21^st CCLC funds. See the Learn and Serve provisions in Additional Information for grant spending requirements.

Upon Approval - 6/30/2009 (for proposals submitted by 7/28/2008)

Upon Approval - 6/30/2009 (for proposals submitted by 9/23/2008)

Monday, July 28, 2008 or Tuesday, September 23, 2008

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

		Part I - General - Program Unit Signature Page - (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)
		Part II Workbook - Budget (II-A) and Budget Narrative (II-B)* (Print and mail with the application all four budget and budget narrative pages. See important opening instructions below.)
		Part III - Required Program Information
		Schedule B - Cost Sharing or Matching Schedule
		Cost Sharing or Matching Funds Narrative (form provided)
		Grant Assurances
		Schedule C - Statement of Participation and Support (if appropriate)

*NOTE: The Budget and Budget Narrative Workbook is a Microsoft Excel file which includes macros that enable the workbook to compute totals and summary tables.

1. For Microsoft Office 2000/2003, you may need to change the security setting in Excel before opening the file. In Excel, click 'Tools', 'Macro', and then 'Security'. When the dialog box appears, change the security setting to 'Medium' and then click 'OK'. You can now open the budget file.

2. For Microsoft Office 2007, you must save the workbook as an earlier version of Excel (.xls not .xlsx).

1. Letter of Intent: Letters of intent to apply are encouraged. Include the date by which the district intends to submit its application (7/28/2008 or 9/23/2008).

2. Budget Detail - Description of Line Item Information

3.      Districts Eligible to Apply for FY2009 CSL Planning and Implementation - A Grants

4.      Districts Eligible to Apply for FY2009 CSL Planning and Implementation - B Grants

5.      Districts Eligible to Apply for FY2009 CSL Planning and Implementation - 21^st CCLC Grants

6. Needs Statement

   The overarching need identified as a priority by the Department's 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 the Department will work with schools and districts to address these needs, improve instruction, and increase student engagement through the use of CSL.

7. Definition of CSL

   In 1990, the Corporation for National and Community Service said that CSL:

   1. Promotes learning through active participation in service experiences;

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

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

   4. Extends learning beyond the classroom and into the community; and

   5. 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."

8. Key Elements to High-Quality CSL

   Service that meets a community need;

   1. Explicit, authentic, and guided learning;

   2. Youth decision-making; and

   3. Analytic reflection.

9.      Learn and Serve America Grant Provisions

10. A Scoring Rubric is available upon request. (See Contact information.)

Submit one (1) unbound complete application with the original signature of the Superintendent, as well as three (3) stapled sets.

Mail to:

Kristen McKinnon
CSL Specialist
Student Support
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906