Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2010

This federal grant program is intended to support middle schools, high schools, and vocational schools interested in continuing to develop a schoolwide approach to improve reading achievement that includes:

1. the involvement of ALL professional and paraprofessional staff, including staff working with special populations;

2. reading across the content areas;

3. multiple intervention programs for struggling readers targeted to student needs;

4. professional development for all teachers and paraprofessionals;

5. adequate time provided in the school schedule for reading instruction;

6. assessment that drives instruction;

7. a variety of flexible grouping patterns; and

8. leadership structures that provide ongoing support and guidance.

Continuation grants are available to assist schools in implementing a specific project in one of the following areas: (1) Assessment; (2) Reading Across the Content Areas; or (3) Intervention Programs for Struggling Readers.

Participating districts must commit to:

1. target funds to one or more participating school(s);

2. support a building-based Reading Leadership Team in each participating school. This Team must be representative of the school as a whole, including staff from different grade levels, special education, and content areas. The Team must meet periodically throughout the year and be led by a building-based Coordinator. Members of this Team must attend Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) network meetings for the purpose of receiving project-related professional development, sharing activities and successes, and engaging in collaborative problem-solving with other schools engaged in similar projects;

3. use grant funds to implement the activities specified on the school's 2009-2010 Abstract of Secondary School Reading Implementation Grant Project document; and

4. disseminate information about grant-related activities to other middle and high schools in the district and submit evidence of district-wide dissemination.

Applications are due on a rolling submission basis.

To receive approval to begin grant activities by September 15, 2009, proposals must be submitted by:

Friday, August 21, 2009.

For each participating school:

1.     Principal's Assurance Statement (Mail to the Department.)

2.     School Progress Report (Mail to the Department.)

3.     Abstract of Secondary School Reading Implementation Grant Project (Mail to the Department.)

For the district:

1.   Secondary School Reading Implementation Electronic Budget Workbook, including the Standard Contract and Application for Program Grants:

   1. Part I - General - Program Unit Signature Page - Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants (Included in the Workbook.)

   2. Part II - Budget Detail Pages (Included in the Workbook.)

2. Part III - Required Program Information (Included in the Workbook.)

   (Please note: In addition to submitting the Electronic Workbook electronically, a copy of the Part I Signature Page with an original signature must be mailed to the Department.)

1.     Instructions for the Electronic Workbook

2.     Eligible Districts/Schools

3. Budget Detail - Description of Line Item Information

The Secondary School Reading Grant application package, including the electronic budget workbook, should be downloaded from the Department's Grants Management website, completed, and then returned by email and/or mail as directed.

Mail the signed District Cover Page, Principal's Assurance Statement(s), School Progress Report(s), and Abstract(s) to:

The electronic workbook, including the District Cover Page, Budget, and Required Program Information, should be emailed to reading@doe.mass.edu.

If assistance is needed, please contact Laurie Slobody or Dorothy Earle for content related questions and Alexia Cribbs for help completing the electronic workbook.

Contact Laurie at lslobody@doe.mass.edu or 781-338-3586.

Contact Dot at dearle@doe.mass.edu or 781-338-6265.

Contact Alexia at acribbs@doe.mass.edu or 781-338-3581.