Archived Information

Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2007

School Redesign: Expanding Learning Time to Support Student Success - Planning Grant
Fund Code: 226

Memorandum

I am pleased to announce that the School Redesign: Expanding Learning Time to Support Student Success Planning Grant RFP is now posted on the state's website.

The Expanded Learning Time Planning Grant program is intended to support a district's planning activities to use longer school days/years as a strategy to raise student achievement. The grants provide resources for districts to plan the innovative redesign of selected schools by adding time to their schedules for English language arts, mathematics and other core subjects; for planning and professional development for teachers; and for integrated enrichment opportunities for students. Districts will plan to expand the hours and/or days of operation by adding no less than 25 percent additional time or 300 hours to the current schedule for all students in the participating schools.

Through a competitive process, grants of at least $10,000 plus a factor added for each additional school involved in planning are available. At least 60 percent of the grants will go to districts with 25 percent or more students eligible for free or reduced price meals. Other districts are also eligible to apply.

Districts that are awarded planning grants will use the funds to convene principals, school teams, collective bargaining representatives, external partners and others to develop an implementation plan that details the structure of their new school day and year and the steps they will take to make the plan come to life. Districts that develop approvable implementation plans will be eligible for state funding of $1300 per student to establish Expanded Learning Time schools, pending future state appropriation.

Districts may plan to open the expanded time schools either in September 2007 or September 2008.

The Department will be hosting two conference calls to provide information to districts interested in learning more about the expanded learning time planning grant. The conference calls are scheduled for Friday, August 11th (9:30 - 11:00 am) and Tuesday, August 22 (1:00 - 2:30 pm). Please email Diane Beck at dbeck@doe.mass.edu if you wish to participate in one of the conference calls. She will provide further information about the call.

I hope your district will consider this unique opportunity. Please note that the deadline for application is Wednesday, September 27, 2006. For more information, please contact Sarah McLaughlin [smclaughlin@doe.mass.edu, 781.338.3589] or Karen Vigue [kvigue@doe.mass.edu, 781.338.3567].