Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2010

1. Enhance the quality of inclusive full-day classrooms to meet the needs of all children, including children with disabilities and those from diverse cultural, economic, and linguistic backgrounds. The criteria for quality are those of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation standards for kindergarten. Maximum kindergarten class sizes of 20-24 children, with 1:10 to 1:12 adult-child ratios, are recommended for this program.

   Districts are required to:

   1. plan, develop, and/or adapt curriculum based on how kindergarten children learn and use the Kindergarten Learning Experiences based on Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks  http://www.doe.mass.edu/ess/reports/0408kle.doc;

   2. improve continuity of curriculum and assessment from preschool through grade three;

   3. facilitate transitions of children and families between grade levels;

   4. pursue NAEYC accreditation for full-day kindergarten classrooms or be selected to do an approved alternative to accreditation (See Additional Information.);

   5. support and improve inclusion of children with disabilities in the general education classroom and support the education of English language learners; and

   6. employ instructional aides to decrease adult-child ratios.

   Districts are encouraged strongly to enhance quality by one or more of the following:

   1. support teachers, instructional aides, and special education staff to work effectively together to develop and implement integrated curriculum and differentiated instruction;

   2. support and improve family involvement;

   3. provide effective professional development;

   4. add materials/supplies to support the curriculum, differentiated instruction, etc.; and

   5. implement authentic, research-based assessment systems to document children's progress and to plan and evaluate curriculum effectiveness.

2. Continue the work of the Early Childhood/Early Elementary Curriculum Committee to:

   1. develop and implement kindergarten curriculum and ongoing assessment;

   2. work with the School Readiness Committee to align curriculum and assessment with the Guidelines for Preschool Learning Experiences, the Kindergarten Learning Experiences, and the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks; and

   3. develop ways to strengthen family involvement in the program and curriculum.

3. Continue the work of the district-wide School Readiness Committee to plan and oversee this program, address school readiness issues in the district, and establish and maintain linkages and collaboration among public and private preschool and kindergarten programs, school committees, the Community Partnerships for Children Council and/or other relevant early childhood councils, after-school and out-of-school-time programs, family support, and other related organizations in the community.

A joint School Readiness and Curriculum Committee may be established provided that a district can demonstrate the ability of the group to accomplish the required tasks and purposes.

Pending final approval and appropriation in the FY2010 state budget, approximately $27,797,666 is expected to be available for Quality grants. Each district may apply for up to $7,500 and/or $14,900 per full-day kindergarten classroom, based on the following categories.

1. Classrooms funded at $14,900 in FY2009 and that will continue to have a .5 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) or at least the same FTE's for a kindergarten instructional aide in FY2010, are eligible for up to $14,900 per classroom.

2. Classrooms funded at $7,500 in FY2009 may apply for up to $7,500 per classroom. Classrooms that newly opened in FY2008 or FY2009 without the support of the Transition to Full-Day Kindergarten grant (Fund Code: 702) and have received grant support based on the availability of funds may apply for up to $7,500 per classroom.

3. Multi-age classrooms: Pro-rate based on the proportion of kindergarten-eligible children in the classroom. For example, in a classroom in which 50% of children are kindergarten-eligible, the district could apply for 50% of the total eligibility amount for that classroom based on the level they were funded in FY2009.

Thursday, June 4, 2009 - only for districts with summer services (July-August). Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 (Revised Date Due) or as soon as possible thereafter for districts with FY2010 school year programs.

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

2.      Part II Budget Detail Pages (Include both pages.) - Instructions

3.     Part III - Required Program Information

4.     Part IV - Required Statistical Information

5.     Attachment A - Eligibility Chart for FY2010

6.     Attachment B - FY2010 Budget Narrative Form

7.     Attachment C -- FY2009 Expenditures Worksheet

2009-2010 Full-Day Kindergarten Tuition Policy is posted at
 http://www.doe.mass.edu/ess/ta/fc701.doc

An Alternatives to Accreditation Application is available upon request from Alice Barton at
abarton@doe.mass.edu.

Submit 3 applications, 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