Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2008

The priorities of this grant program are to advance the skills of educators involved with students with disabilities through high-quality, sustained, and intensive professional development activities and through district-based induction and mentoring programs.

• Priority 1 - Enhancing Induction and Mentoring Programs *

• Priority 2a - Serving Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Inclusive Settings

• Priority 2b - Curriculum Development, Instruction, and Classroom Assessment

• Priority 2c - Meeting the Behavioral and Social Needs of a Diverse Student Population

• Priority 3 - Recruitment and/or Additional Professional Development Needs as Identified by the District or Educational Collaborative

*Please note that districts and educational collaboratives are required to identify induction and mentoring activities in Priority 1. Professional development activities related to Priority 2a, 2b, 2c, or 3 are optional.

Eligible school districts and educational collaboratives serving students with disabilities will receive awards based upon total public school student enrollment.

The amount of funds for which each school district and educational collaborative may apply will be available on the Department's website http://finance1.doe.mass.edu/Grants/.

Funds must be used within the minimum or maximum allocations as described below.

1. The applicant agency is required to use at least 10% of the total grant award or $1,000 (whichever amount is greater) for Priority 1 - Enhancing Induction and Mentoring Programs.

2. The applicant agency may use up to 10% of the total grant award or $1,000 (whichever amount is greater) for Priority 3 - Recruitment and/or Additional Professional Development Needs as Identified by the District or Educational Collaborative.

3. Remaining funds may be allocated to fund activities in ONE of the following areas: Priority 2a - Serving Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Inclusive Settings OR Priority 2b - Curriculum Development, Instruction, and Classroom Assessment OR Priority 2c - Meeting the Behavioral and Social Needs of a Diverse Student Population.

The following are allowable costs.

• Stipends

• MTRS/Fringe (related to stipends only)

• Tuition costs for college/university courses

• Conference registration costs

• Supplies, materials, and books specifically for training purposes and professional development

• Printing and reproduction of training materials

• Consultant fees

• Substitutes

• In- and out-of-state travel - 10% of grant not to exceed $3,000

The following are Not allowable costs.

• Computer hardware or software

• Indirect costs

• Staff salaries

• Direct services or materials for students

William Blackwell wblackwell@doe.mass.edu

Linda Tarmy ltarmy@doe.mass.edu

The recommended date due is Friday, July 13, 2007.

Proposals must be received at the Department no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 30th, 2007.

• Instructions for Completing the Budget Workbook:  

• Special Education: Program Improvement - Budget Workbook:

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

  2. Part II: Budget Detail Pages

     • Part I: Budgets

     • Part II: Amendments
       Budget Detail - Description of Line Item Information:  

  3. Amendment Form (AM 1)

  4. Schedule A (if applicable)

  5. Summary

  6.   PART III - REQUIRED PROGRAM INFORMATION

     •   Priority 1

     •   Priority 2a

     • Priority 2b:  

     •   Priority 2c:

     •   riority 3

1. Applications submitted or approved after September 1, 2007 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. All proposals must be submitted to the Department no later than October 30, 2007.

2. Applicant agencies are required to submit a Progress Report detailing the district's efforts to provide professional development or induction/mentoring activities as outlined in the grant proposal. The Progress Report will be due February 15, 2008. Applicant agencies will receive additional information prior to the submission deadline.

3. Conferences - District personnel must be available to participate in conferences during the grant period. The Department will provide conference information to eligible grant recipients in the Fall 2007.

Submit two (2) copies of the Part I - General - Program Unit Signature Page - (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants) each 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
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148-5023