| Purpose: | The purpose of this federal entitlement grant program is to provide funds to ensure that eligible students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education that includes special education and related services designed to meet their individual needs. During FY2010, districts are encouraged to coordinate activities funded through this federal special education entitlement grant program with activities funded through the ARRA-IDEA grant program, Fund Code: 760. |
| Priority: | The priority is to serve eligible students with special education services and activities deemed essential for student success in school. Services and activities must ensure compliance with state special education laws and regulations and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act - 2004 (IDEA-2004).
When considering fund use, each district should review results from its most recent Coordinated Program Review or Mid-Cycle Review and review district performance in relation to the indicators specified in the Massachusetts State Performance Plan (www.doe.mass.edu/sped/spp/.)
The following have been highlighted as areas we would like to see improved practices. Consider activities for your district in these areas:
Progress Reports and Content
IEP Development and Content
Special Education Teacher Licensure
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| Eligibility: | Funds are awarded to public school districts with approved program plans for special education based on a formula, taking into account total school enrollment in both public and private elementary and secondary schools and the number of low income students in those same groups. |
| Funding:. | Allocations are posted on the Grants Management Web site at: http://finance1.doe.mass.edu/SchFin/grants/Federal10.aspx. |
| Fund Use: | Federal special education funds are provided to school districts to assist them in providing appropriate special education services for eligible students and to address the priorities listed above. Districts are reminded of their responsibility to maintain state/local effort in special education. See Special Education Advisory SPED 2008-1: IDEA-2004 and Requirements related to Maintenance of Effort. Districts must calculate proportionate share obligations for parentally placed private school students and to designate federal funds to meet proportionate share obligations. See Special Education Advisory SPED 2007-2. Please note that the Department reserves the right to require that these funds be used to correct areas of identified noncompliance. |
| Project Duration: | 9/1/2009 - 8/31/2010 |
| Program Unit: | Special Education Planning and Policy Development |
| Contact: | Grace Willis gwillis@doe.mass.edu |
| Phone Number: | (781) 338-3375 |
| Required Forms: |
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| Additional Information: |
| Note: | Applications submitted or approved after September 1, 2009 can legally claim expenses to the grant only from the date of final Department approval. Therefore, it is important to have district contact staff who can be reached in July and August to respond to questions, as needed. |
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| Submission Instructions for the Budget Workbook: | The Special Education grant program application (Budget Workbook - EXCEL) will be submitted electronically to the Department by the school district staff person appointed by the Superintendent. |
| Submission Instructions for the Cover Page (Part I): | Submit two (2) copies of the Part I - General - Program Unit Signature Page - (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants) with an original signature of the Superintendent/Executive Director.
Mail to:
Grace Willis
Special Education Planning and Policy Development
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906
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State Government · State Services 
