Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2018

Title I, Part A: Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local School Districts
Fund Code: 305

Purpose:	Title I, Part A of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) provides supplemental resources to local school districts to help provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to close educational achievement gaps. Title I, Part A is one of four principal programs that are available to districts through formula grants under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the current reauthorization of ESEA. The other programs are Title II, Part A; Title III; and Title IV, Part A.
Priorities:	The priorities of Title I, Part A are to: Strengthen the core program in schools and provide academic and/or support services to low-achieving students at the preschool, elementary, middle, and high school levels; Provide evidence-based1 programs that enable participating students to achieve the learning standards of the state curriculum frameworks; Elevate the quality of instruction by providing eligible staff with substantial opportunities for professional development; and, Involve parents/guardians of participating public and private school children as active partners in their children's education at school through open, meaningful communication, training, and, as appropriate, inclusion in decision-making processes. In addition to the above priorities, the Title I, Part A program supports Massachusetts' goals and strategies (listed below) for increasing student achievement by expanding school districts' capacity to support and educate students with the greatest needs. State Goal, Core Strategies, and ESSA Priorities The goal of Massachusetts' public K-12 education system is to prepare all students for success after high school. Our five core strategies to accelerate the pace of school improvement are: Strengthening standards, curriculum, instruction, and assessment Promoting educator development Supporting social-emotional learning, health, and safety Turning around the state's lowest performing districts and schools Enhancing resource allocation and data use Additionally, Massachusetts has identified four priority focus areas under its plan for implementing the Every Student Succeeds Act: Early grades literacy Middle grades math High-quality college and career pathways for high school students Supporting historically disadvantaged subgroups of students
Eligibility:	A district is eligible to receive funds based on criteria established by the United States Department of Education (ED). Grants are awarded to local school districts after state review and approval of its application.
Funding Type:	Federal CFDA: 84.010
Funding:	Title I, Part A allocations 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 to provide academic, instructional, and support services for eligible students, professional development activities for staff, support for parent involvement activities, and the purchase of appropriate supplies and materials.
Project Duration:	Upon approval - 6/30/2018 (Year 1)* *The period of availability for this grant award can be extended beyond Year 1 based on utilizing the multi-year feature for this Funding Opportunity in EdGrants. Extended period as follows: 7/1/2018 - 6/30/2019 (Year 2); 7/1/2019 - 9/30/2019 (Year 3).
Date Due:	September 30, 2017
Program Unit:	Resource Allocation Strategy and Planning
Contact:	titlei@doe.mass.edu
Phone Number:	(781) 338-6230
General Information:	FY18 Instructions for Completing Title I Forms Instructions for completing the FY18 Consolidated Plan Overlay FY18 Title I, Parts A & D District Allocations
Required Forms:	FY18 Title I Application Workbook (Information from the Budget & Indirect Cost Tab must be entered into EdGrants. The actual final budget the applicant is requesting will be entered directly into EdGrants as part of the application submission process.) FY18 Affirmation of Consultation and Agreement with Participating Private School Officials (required only for districts with private school participation) FY18 Title I Schoolwide Program Justification, Assurances, and Waiver Request (required only for districts with new Schoolwide programs) FY18 Consolidated Plan Overlay (to be completed and uploaded with the Title I Application)
Additional Information:	FY18 Checklist and Reminders for Completing Title I Forms How Funds are Allocated to States, Districts, & Schools Selecting Title I Schools and Allocating Funds Budget detail and description of line item information Note: Applications can legally claim expenses to the grant only from the date of final DESE approval. Therefore, to expedite approval, it is essential to have district contact staff that can be reached in July and August to respond to questions, as needed.
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: FY18 305 Title I (Applicant Name) In EdGrants, district staff assigned the role of "control user" enter the grant budget and attach the FY18 Title I Application workbook and FY18 Consolidated Plan Overlay along with a PDF of the Cover Sheet with an original signature of the Superintendent/Executive Director. See Required Forms above for additional forms that may be required from some applicants. 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 to make informed decisions regarding assigning your district level users.

¹ ESEA requires states and districts to implement "evidence-based" practices, activities, strategies and interventions with demonstrated evidence of effectiveness. Evidence-based practices refer to interventions for which there is evidence of significant positive impact that can be found in published research papers, literature reviews, or DESE research briefs. Alternately, evidence-based practices can be those local practices that a district or state has previously instituted, measured, and found to be effective.