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Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2018

Title IV, Part A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant
Fund Code: 309

Purpose:	Title IV, Part A of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) provides supplemental resources to local school districts to build capacity to help ensure that all students have equitable access to high quality educational experiences. Title IV, Part A is one of four principle programs that are available to districts through formula grants under ESSA, the current reauthorization of ESEA. The other programs are Title I, Part A; Title II, Part A; and Title III.
Priorities:	The priorities of Title IV, Part A are to: Support well-rounded educational opportunities; Support safe and healthy students; and Support effective use of technology. Districts are required to prioritize funds to schools based on one or more of the following criteria: are among the schools with the greatest need (as determined by the district); have the highest percentages low-income students; are identified for comprehensive support and improvement; have consistently underperforming subgroups; and are identified as a persistently dangerous public elementary school or secondary school under section 8532 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Note: Title IV, Part A does not require that funds are allocated directly to schools. Funds may be used for district-wide and other programming/activities that support as many students and teachers as possible, particularly those in schools that meet the above priorities. Funds may also be used to cover part or all the cost of AP and IB exam fees taken by economically disadvantaged students in both May 2017 and in May 2018. For more information, see Advanced Placement Exam Fee Subsidy Program. In addition to the above priorities, the Title IV, Part A program supports Massachusetts' goals and strategies (listed below) by encouraging effective investments that promote continuous program improvement and better outcomes for students. 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 the local plan.
Funding Type:	Federal CFDA: 84.424
Funding:	Title IV 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 for a wide variety of activities* to support one or more of the Title IV, Part A priorities above, including but not limited to: direct services for students, professional development for staff, salaries for personnel to carry out programs and services, and supplemental educational resources and equipment. Districts with an allocation of less than $30,000 must spend funds on one or more of the Title IV, Part A Priorities (see above). Districts with and allocation of at least $30,000 must: Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment that includes a focus on the Title IV, Part A priorities (see above.) Note: Districts may fulfill (or have fulfilled) this requirement as part of the development of the districts' strategic plan, improvement plan, etc. Spend at least 20% of the allocation on access to well-rounded educational opportunities Spend at least 20% of the allocation on safe and healthy schools Spend some amount on improving the use of technology Spend the remainder on activities that support any/all of the three priorities Note for districts with an allocation of at least $30,000: No more than 15 percent of funds used for activities to support the effective use of technology may be used "for purchasing technology infrastructure. (e.g., devices, equipment, software applications, platforms, digital instructional resources and/or other one-time IT purchases.) For example, a district with a $100,000 allocation that chooses to spend $60,000 on technology (maximum allowable), may only spend a maximum of $9,000 on technology infrastructure. *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.
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).
Program Unit:	Resource Allocation Strategy and Planning Student and Family Support
Contact:	titlei@doe.mass.edu Kristen McKinnon achievement@mass.gov
Phone Number:	(781) 338-6230 (781) 338-3010
Date Due:	September 30, 2017 Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the date due. Unclaimed funds will be redistributed to eligible districts via competition.
Required Forms:	FY18 Title IV, Part A Application Workbook (includes Cover Page (Part I) to be signed, scanned and uploaded into EdGrants separately from workbook)
Additional Information:	FY18 Title IV Allocations Title IV, Part A Program Guidance EdGrants Front Office User Guide: Application Submission EdGrants Front Office User Guide: Requesting Grant Funds (payments) EdGrants: User Security Controls Note: Applicants can legally claim expenses to the grant only from the date of final DESE approval. Therefore, 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 309 Student and Family Support [Applicant 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 and Schedule A form, if applicable to your district. Please see Guidance Documents regarding EdGrants for further 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.