| Purpose: | The goal of this federally-funded project is to identify and support strategies and resources that increase districts' capacities to improve the quality of education and inclusion of children with disabilities through the alignment and coordination of curriculum, instruction, and assessment from pre-K to grade 3. New Study Teams will research, discuss, and document their strategies, training, and progress within and/or across the age span with a focus on how students with disabilities access the general curriculum. The Teams will bring together early childhood educators, elementary school staff, special education professionals, administrators, and parents to:
- explore the alignment of curriculum, instruction, and assessment;
- identify best practices to support a pre-K to grade 3 continuum; and
- prioritize areas of strength and needed improvement.
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| Priorities: | The five priorities of the project are for Study Teams to:
- attend professional development opportunities arranged for grantees;
- review current research and available training modules for context on the pre-K to grade 3 continuum;
- use this information to assess the school district's areas of strength and weakness/need;
- based on the assessment, develop an action plan to extend areas of strength and address areas of need to improve inclusion, alignment, and the education of all young learners; and
- work with the Office of Elementary School Services to synthesize effective strategies and resources that may be disseminated statewide.
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| Eligibility: | The 26 districts with Level III and Level IV Special Education Indicator determinations that were not involved with Year 1 are eligible to apply for a Study Team. The four (4) additional districts that are eligible to apply represent different geographic areas and have shown promising practices in the areas of interest. If one of these districts is not able to participate, an alternative district will be selected. |
| Funding: | The 30 districts are eligible to receive $15,000 to implement the Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Alignment project. A second year of funding to implement plans/strategies is possible. |
| Fund Use: | These funds may be used to support the activities of the Study Team. (See Study Team Guidelines in Attachment A.) Funds may be used for, but are not limited to: stipends for a project coordinator and/or Study Team participants; materials and resources to support the work of the Team; consultants or trainers; professional development; in-state travel; and approved indirect rates. |
| Project Duration: | Upon Approval - 8/31/2010 |
| Program Unit: | Office of Elementary School Services |
| Contact: | Emily Caille ecaille@doe.mass.edu |
| Phone Number: | (781) 338-6355 |
| Date Due: | Friday, October 2, 2009
Proposals must be received at the Department by 4:30 p.m. on the date due. |
| Required Forms: |
Part I - General - Program Unit Signature Page - (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)
  Part II - Budget Detail Pages (Include both pages.)  - Instructions Part III - Required Program Information
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| Additional Information: |
Attachment A: Study Team Guidelines
Attachment B: Funding Eligibility Amounts
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| Submission Instructions: | Submit 3 sets, each with an original signature of the Superintendent/Executive Director. Mail to:
Nermina Peric
Office of Elementary School Services
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906 |
State Government · State Services 
