ARCHIVED INFORMATION Horizontal line

Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2018

Supplementary Support to Districts for Enhancing Data Use Throughout the School Year
Fund Code: 111

Purpose:	The purpose of this competitive funding opportunity is to provide supplementary support to school districts to improve district data practices for using early warning data alongside other resources in a thoughtful cycle of inquiry throughout the school year. This intent is to improve the likelihood that students will receive appropriate supports and that, over time, district performance on key academic milestones will increase.
Priorities:	The main priority of this grant is to strengthen districts' use of student data to understand and address the needs of students at risk of missing one or more academic milestones. Districts may accomplish this through development of new tools or resources; re-thinking teaming and communication structures; enhancing data routines; or other justified innovations to improve student educational outcomes aligned with the Early Warning Implementation Cycle: Step 1: Get organized Step 2: Review EWIS data Step 3: Explore underlying causes of students' risk Step 4: Take actions based on data Step 5: Monitor students' ongoing risk throughout the year Step 6: Refine the process Successful proposals should engage all six steps of the Early Warning Implementation Cycle; however, proposals do not need to propose new activity or enhancements for every step. Successful proposals should focus on introducing or enhancing one or more of the highlighted steps listed above (Steps 3: Explore Underlying Causes, Step 4: Take Actions and Step 5: Monitor). For example, you could propose creating a new way to monitor students' risk throughout the year which builds on existing efforts you have in place that support the other steps outlined. Districts should have some familiarity with EWIS and some experience using data to drive decision-making for student achievement; however, districts with a variety of experiences or expertise on using data are encouraged to apply, including those who have just begun to devote attention to systematically using data to improve student outcomes or utilizing EWIS data. Districts may choose to focus on particular schools, grades, academic milestones, or student subgroups. They may choose to prioritize transition points across grade levels and schools (i.e., engage middle schools and high schools to address this transition). Tools developed by DESE that are relevant to this grant's priorities include: Early Warning Implementation Cycle on-demand e-learning and other resources on the EWIS website Early Warning Indicator System (EWIS) reports in Edwin Analytics Postsecondary Readiness & Success reports in Edwin Analytics FAFSA reports in Edwin Analytics Success after High School District Analysis Review Tools The ABCs of Success in High School and Beyond Analysis of Dropout Data Participants in this initiative will be convened for two training conferences and periodic phone conferences to share information about implementation and results and problem-solve challenges together. Participating districts may have an opportunity to pilot-test new resources. Participating districts will share learning from this experience in the form of tools, resources, artifacts, lessons and more, which the Department can compile and make available statewide in the future.
Eligibility:	School Districts and Charter Schools (must have familiarity with EWIS)
Funding Type:	Federal CFDA: 84.372
Funding:	Approximately $200,000 is available. Awards will be made for an amount to be paid over two years. Districts will receive Year 1 funding as proposed or amended, and apply for continuation of funding for Year 2. The final amount is subject to federal budget appropriations. Districts may apply for up to $20,000 for the duration of this two-year grant period. 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 costs associated with strengthening data practices to effect meaningful change for students, as outlined in the priorities section. Allowable uses include, but are not limited to, the following: Materials, supplies, software or licenses related to proposed activity or changes Professional development for staff Stipends and/or travel expenses for staff time on project One-time costs associated with data tool developments and program supports Other costs integral to program implementation Additional Notes: Funds may not be used to purchase technology such as laptops, printers, and other hardware. Funds may not be used to stipend or pay students. All funds must be used to supplement, not supplant, the use of local and other state and federal funding.
Project Duration:	Upon approval through 6/30/2019. Anticipated timeline for applications: March 16, 2018: Grant applications due April/May 2018: Grantees notified May 17, 2018: Grantees are convened with department staff Timeline for execution of initiative: Spring & Summer 2018: Grantees develop resources and prepare for implementation in the 2018-19 School Year. School Year 2018-19: Grantees continue implementing and monitoring, reporting out regularly on progress to ESE. Grantees convene for second time with department staff. Summer 2019: Grantees submit final materials through Data Showcase.
Program Unit:	Office of Planning and Research
Contact:	Kate Sandel
Date Due:	Friday, March 16, 2018 Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the date due. Proposals, including signature page, must be in PDF format and emailed by 5:00 p.m. on the date due.
Required Forms:	Part I: General - Program Unit Signature Page FY2018 Part I: General - Program Unit Signature Page FY2019 Part II: Budget Detail Pages FY2018 Part II: Budget Detail Pages FY2019 Part III: Required Program Information Part IV: Assurances
Submission Instructions:	Email complete submission packet to EWIS@doe.mass.edu (must be received no later than 5:00 pm on the due date) Awarded Recipients: Upon award, recipients will be required to enter the approved budget FY2018 and attach Part I FY2018, Part III and Part IV in EdGrants. Once selected, recipients will be contacted with further instructions on the process.