Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2009

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 Learning Experiences based on Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks;

   2. ensure continuity of curriculum and assessment from preschool through grade 3;

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

   4. pursue NAEYC accreditation or apply for a pilot program of approved alternatives;

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

   6. employ instructional aides to decrease staff-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 system;

   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.

All districts awarded a Quality Full-Day Kindergarten Grant in FY2008 are eligible to apply for funding for all classrooms funded in FY2008 that will be in operation in FY2009. 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 FY2008 are eligible to apply for the number of full-day classrooms opening in FY2009. 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 FY2008.

Pending final approval and appropriation in the FY2009 state budget, approximately $30,000,000 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 FY2008 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 4, 2008 - for districts with summer services only (July - August 2008) Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, June 19, 2008 or as soon as possible thereafter for districts with FY2009 school year programs.

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

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