Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2009

Program priorities are to:

1. implement effective reading programs, including instructional materials as well as instructional strategies, for K-3 grades that are consistent with instructional principles derived from scientifically based research in reading;

2. use state selected methods for assessment of reading progress that include screening, diagnostic, progress monitoring, and outcome assessments;

3. provide high quality professional development to K-3 classroom teachers and K-12 special education teachers that will prepare these teachers in the five essential components of reading instruction, assessment training, intervention strategies, etc.;

4. provide high quality technical assistance to Reading First schools within the district; and

5. develop an evaluation strategy that will provide valid and reliable information about the progress of all K-3 children in learning to read; and provide data to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for evaluation purposes.

Reading First Plan funds may only be used to support the grant priorities in Reading First schools. Of the total award a district receives on behalf of its funded schools, up to 3.5 percent may be used for district-level administrative purposes.

In Reading First designated schools, funds may be used for specific purposes, including:

1. providing the salary of one full-time or part-time school-based K-3 Massachusetts certified Reading Specialist. (If a position is part-time, the portion of time and funding of the position must be equal. A log must be kept of the time the Reading First Reading Specialist is serving as Literacy Coach.);

2. selecting and implementing a comprehensive scientifically based reading program (core, supplemental, and intensive intervention);

3. providing high quality professional development for K-3 teachers and K-12 special education teachers, including the required participation of new teachers in foundational professional development in reading. (See the list of Reading Foundational Training Options in Additional Information.);

4. purchasing assessments;

5. using TestWiz;

6. purchasing high quality children's fiction and informational text for classrooms and school libraries; and

7. other related items (e.g., interventionist).

1.      Part I Reading First Budget Workbook including Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants and related documents

2.     Part II Instructions and Required Program Information

3.     Part III Assurance from School District

4.     Part IV Assurance from Each Participating School Principal

5.     Part V Assurance from Each Participating School Reading First Reading Specialist

6.     Part VI Assurance from Each Participating Non-Public School Principal

7.     Submission Checklist (for district use prior to submission)

1.     Part VII Non-Public Schools Reading First Awards and Guidance for Districts

2.     Part VIII Maximum FY2009 Awards Excluding Non-Public Amounts

3. Budget Detail - Description of Line Item Information

4.     List of Reading Foundational Training Options

5.     Assessment Chart

6.     Review Sheet for Evaluating Continuation Proposals

The Reading First application package, including the submission checklist and 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