Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2008

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 staff-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 Curriculum Activities based on Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks;

   2. ensure continuity of curriculum and transitions of children and families between grade levels (from preschool through grade three, if possible);

   3. pursue NAEYC accreditation for full-day kindergarten classrooms;

   4. support and improve inclusion of children with disabilities in the regular classroom, and support the education of English language learners; and

   5. employ instructional aides to decrease staff-child ratios.

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

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

   2. support and improve family involvement;

   3. provide professional development;

   4. add materials/supplies to support the curriculum, differentiated instruction; 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: a) develop and implement kindergarten curriculum and ongoing assessment; b) work with the School Readiness Committee to align curriculum and assessment with the Guidelines for Preschool Learning Experiences, the Kindergarten Learning Activities, and the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks; and c) develop ways to strengthen family involvement in the program and curriculum.

   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 councils, after-school and out-of-school-time programs, family support, and other related organizations in the community.

All districts awarded a Quality Full-Day Kindergarten grant in FY 07 are eligible to apply for funding for all classrooms funded in FY 07 that will be in operation in FY 08. If classrooms are closed or revert to part-time, the amount should be reduced accordingly.

All districts awarded a Transition to Full-Day Kindergarten grant in FY 07 are eligible to apply for the number of full-day classrooms opening in FY 08. The number of full-day classrooms that already existed without grant funding should be noted on the eligibility sheet, but should not be included in the initial eligibility amount.

Districts that received kindergarten funds transferred from the Community Partnerships for Children (CPC) are eligible to receive the same amounts they received for FY 07.

All districts must commit to attending at least one statewide kindergarten meeting.

Pending final approval and appropriation in the FY08 state budget, $27,125,448 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 (and/or be eligible for the same amount of supplemental funding originating with the CPC program):

1. Classrooms in which the grant will fund a .5 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) or at least the same FTE's in FY07 for a kindergarten teacher's and/or instructional aide's salary, are eligible for up to $14,900 per classroom. Positions that have been supported by district funds prior to the Quality Full-Day Kindergarten grant program cannot be funded through this grant (i.e., no supplanting).

2. Classrooms in which the district is not planning to pay for kindergarten teachers' and/or instructional aides' salaries with the grant 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, depending on whether staff fit into category a or b (above).

Wednesday, June 20, 2007 - only for districts with summer services (July-August). Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, June 29, 2007 or as soon as possible thereafter for districts with school year programs.

Submit 3 applications, each with an original signature of the Superintendent/Executive Director. Mail to:

Min-hua Chen
Office of Elementary School Services
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
350 Main Street, 3rd Floor
Malden, MA 02148-5023