| Purpose: | The purpose of this state-funded competitive grant program is to help school districts establish or significantly expand middle school and high school level district and inter-district Alternative Education programs that service students who are:
suspended or expelled from school; and/or
at-risk of educational failure due to truancy or dropping out of school.
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| Priorities: | Funding priority will be given to districts (or schools):
with graduation rates below the state average; and
that are proposing a new program or proposing to expand significantly or enhance an existing program.
Grants will be awarded to districts that propose activities that address the following:
educate students using the same academic standards and curriculum frameworks as are taught to all students;
provide an opportunity for students to earn a high school diploma (for high school programs);
use small class sizes that use engaging instruction, address individual learning styles, and provide a supportive environment;
use flexible scheduling;
use existing resources in school districts, educational collaboratives, community colleges, other agencies, service providers, and community-based organizations;
use family-based approaches and self-improvement, behavior management, and life skills training to help provide students with tools to better manage their lives and attitudes;
assist students and teachers during students' transition back to general education classrooms;
provide a comprehensive array of social services to support students with issues that can cause school failure, excessive absenteeism, truancy, and dropping out of school; and
use pre- and post-evaluative data in program development and assessment of program outcomes.
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| Eligibility: | Public school districts, including charter schools, may apply for this grant. School districts may coordinate efforts to establish/expand an inter-district regional Alternative Education program or to establish/expand district-based Alternative Education programs. |
| Funding: |
Subject to budget appropriation, meeting grant requirements, and submission of required documents, the Department will award Fund Code: 790 grants for up to three years. Continuation grant applicants will be eligible for up to 80 percent of the original grant award in year two and up to 60 percent of the original grant award in year three.
Subject to budget appropriation, meeting grant requirements, submission of required documents, and the applicant's demonstration of a significant commitment to the long-term sustainability of a successful project, the Department with award Fund Code: 790 grants for up to two additional years. Continuation grant applicants will be eligible for up to 40 percent of the original grant award in year four and up to 20 percent of the original grant award in year five.
Year One (competitive RFP) single-district applicants may apply for up to $75,000.
Year One (competitive RFP) inter-district collaborative applicants may apply for up to $100,000 and must identify the lead district that will be administering the award. Note: programs accepting students under school choice do not equate to inter-district collaboration.
The number of grants awarded for FY2009 programs will be subject to final state appropriation for this program activity. An estimated two or three competitive grants will be awarded for FY2009 programs. The Department reserves the right to alter the award to each funded school district. |
| Fund Use: | Grant funds may be used for: salaries for staff to coordinate the program; curriculum development; teacher stipends; consultants; substitutes; a range of approaches to address behavior issues; technology; travel; conferences; purchase of materials and supplies; printing; and reproduction of materials.
These funds may not be used for programs serving exclusively students with disabilities or to supplant existing alternative education programs.
No more than 20% of the funds may be used for transportation. |
| Project Duration: | Upon Approval - 6/30/2009 (subject to final state appropriation) |
| Program Unit: | Student and Secondary Support |
| Contact: | Jenny Caldwell Curtin jcurtin@doe.mass.edu |
| Phone Number: | (781) 338-6839 |
| Date Due: |
Friday, July 11, 2008
Competitive proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the date due. |
| Required Forms: |
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Part I - General - Program Unit Signature Page - (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)
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Part II Budget Detail Pages (Include both pages.) - Instructions
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Part III - Required Program Information
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Grant Assurances
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Schedule C - Statement of Participation and Support (if appropriate) - (To be completed by any partnering agencies that are external to the district. Note: Different partnering agencies can be listed on separate Schedule C forms if that is helpful.)
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| Additional Information: |
Grant evaluation rubrics are available by request. Contact Jenny Curtin at jcurtin@doe.mass.edu to request a copy.
The grant evaluation tool, which is required to be completed by all grant recipients at the end of the grant period, is available upon request. Contact Jenny Curtin at jcurtin@doe.mass.edu to request a copy.
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| Submission Instructions: | Submit four (4) sets of the completed application, each with an original signature of the Superintendent/Executive Director. Mail to:
Jenny Caldwell Curtin
Student and Secondary Support
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906
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State Government · State Services 
