FY2020: METCO

Fund Code: 317

Purpose:

The purpose of the state-funded METCO Program is to expand educational opportunities, increase diversity, and reduce racial isolation by permitting students in Boston and Springfield to attend public schools in other communities that have agreed to participate. The METCO program provides students of participating school districts the opportunity to experience the advantages of learning and working in a racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse setting.

Priorities:

The priorities of this fund source are to provide Boston and Springfield students further opportunities to achieve at high levels the learning standards of the state curriculum frameworks and enrich both the urban and suburban communities by providing opportunities and support for cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.

Applicants for this grant opportunity should be deliberate and intentional in the use of grant funds to support the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education standards and priorities. In particular, this program may include, but not be limited to, the following priorities:

1. Curriculum and Instruction

   1. Aligned, consistently delivered, and continuously improving curriculum

   2. Strong instructional leadership and effective instruction

   3. Sufficient instructional time

2. Human Resources and Professional Development

   1. Staff recruitment, selection, and assignment

   2. Professional development

3. Student Support

   1. Academic support

   2. Services and partnerships to support learning

Eligibility:

School districts participating currently in the METCO Program are eligible to continue their participation in the program. These districts are Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Braintree, Brookline, Cohasset, Concord, Dover, East Longmeadow, Foxborough, Hingham, Lexington, Lincoln, Longmeadow, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Melrose, Natick, Needham, Newton, Newton, Reading, Scituate, Sharon, Sherborn, Springfield, Sudbury, Swampscott, Wakefield, Walpole, Wayland, Wellesley, Weston, Westwood, Concord Carlisle, Dover Sherborn, Hampden Wilbraham, Lincoln Sudbury Southwick Tolland, Granville.

Funding Type:

State

Funding:

Funding for FY20 is based upon October 2018 METCO enrollment or the three-year average enrollment — whichever is greater, as determined by the SIMS reporting to the Department and is subject to appropriation in the FY20 final state budget. Funding is contingent upon availability and all dollar amounts listed are estimated and are subject to change.

Currently, grants consist of a per pupil allotment for instructional and support services and a base transportation allotment. However, if the METCO line item receives an increase from FY19, depending on the size of the increase the Department anticipates a straight per-pupil funding allotment with a hold-harmless provision that does not differentiate between programmatic and transportation costs, in accordance with the recommendations from the funding methodology work group convened in early 2019. Additional details to follow after the FY20 state budget process concludes.

Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding is to become available it will be distributed under the same guideline as listed in the initial RFP document.

Fund Use:

Funds may be used for local district costs incurred as a result of the participation of METCO students, METCO transportation costs, and for supplemental services that will contribute in a measurable way to enhanced educational opportunity and academic achievement, as well as enrichment.

In the area of enhanced educational opportunity and academic achievement, services may include, but are not limited to, regular day and after-school tutoring and mentoring programs, staff professional development geared towards understanding and addressing the achievement gap between minority and non-minority students, and other programs and services such as providing ways for parents to support their children's learning.

In the area of diversity enrichment, services may include training, in-school and after-school activities, incentives programs, etc. that contribute to increased cross-cultural and racial understanding.

Project Duration:

Upon Approval (no earlier than 7/1/2019) – 6/30/20

Program Unit:

Educational Options

Contact:

Shay Edmond

Phone Number:

(781) 338-3217

Date Due:

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the date due.

Required Forms:

Part I — General — Program Unit Signature Page — (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)

Part III — Required Program Information

Part IV — Grant Assurances Form

FY20 METCO Allocations

Submission Instructions:

Submit all required grant materials through EdGrants

In EdGrants, districts are required to create and name the project. Please use the following naming convention for your "Applicant Project Name" in EdGrants:

FY20 317 METCO Grant District Name

All required forms should be uploaded / attached in the Attachments List formlet of the Application Submission. This includes a signed / scanned PDF of Part I / Coversheet with Superintendent's signature as well as Affirmation of Consultation form(s) and Schedule A form, if applicable to your district.

For Guidance Documents regarding EdGrants, visit EdGrants: User Guides and Information.

Please note: It is up to the district to determine who they want to add as EdGrants Front Office users in order to submit grant application as well as payment request information. Please review the EdGrants: User Security Controls document to make informed decisions regarding assigning your district level users.

Last Updated: May 17, 2019