Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2018

Gateway City1 Education- English Language Learners Enrichment Academies Grant Program
Fund Code: 376

Purpose:	The purpose of the Gateway Cities English Learner Enrichment Academies Competitive Grant is to support the implementation of targeted strategies that will provide intensive and accelerated learning opportunities for middle and high school students who are English language learners. The intended outcomes of these competitive grants are as follows: measurable increases in English learner students' English language fluency, comprehension, and reading and writing abilities; increased student confidence to successfully participate in and complete all academic classes; and longer-term improvements as measured by statewide assessments and achievement in academic courses, quicker exit from English learner status, and higher retention and graduation rates, especially for high school students. Our academic vision is for every student in Massachusetts to have access to a safe and supportive school environment that cultivates their academic curiosity and confidence. Instruction is most powerful when educators have access to high quality instructional materials and professional learning that promotes inclusive practice accessible to all students, including English learners and students with disabilities, and also supports authentic, engaging, and integrated student learning experiences. Grant applicants will submit proposals to operate English Learner Enrichment Academies during the summer of 2018 that will provide middle and high school English learners in their communities with high-intensity and differentiated learning opportunities. These Academies must offer full-day (at least six hours a day) services to students for a minimum of twenty days and 120 hours of instruction. Grant applicants may submit proposals to operate Academies for providing targeted services to a specific English learner population, including those with limited or interrupted formal education or those at risk of dropping out of school. Grant applicants may also propose to commence Academy activities during the spring of 2018, including during after-school and Saturday sessions or sessions during school vacations.
Priorities:	Priority will be given to proposals: From public school districts and charter schools within a Gateway City Based on the intensity and duration of the programs offered to middle and high school English learners (for example, districts that submit proposals to operate programs not only during the summer but also during the spring of 2018, including after-school academies, Saturday sessions, or academies during the April school vacation week); From Local Education Agencies (LEAs) that demonstrate that their Academies will serve a minimum of 100 students and that have a strong plan to retain students throughout the summer. In addition, applicants that propose to scale a program — run by either the school district, charter school, non-profit and/or public or private institution of higher education — that has a demonstrated track record of increasing academic outcomes for English Language Learners will receive priority. That will offer targeted services to a specific English Learner (EL) population (for example: Students with Limited and Interrupted Formal Schooling (SLIFE), newcomers, students who are dually identified for Special Education and English as a Second Language (ESL) services, or EL Students who are at risk of dropping out of school. From grant applicants that will work collaboratively with multiple partners within their respective Gateway Cities.
Eligibility:	This competitive grant program is open only to eligible applicants in the commonwealth's 26 Gateway Municipalities as defined by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 23a, Section 3a and have 100 or more ELs. Eligible applicants are non-profit organizations such as public Local Education Agencies (districts), and charter schools. Funds will be awarded to districts or consortia of districts with more than 1,500 students identified as English learners (ELs) in the March 2018 student data transmission (SIMS).
Funding Type:	State
Funding:	Approximately $250,000 is available. Two grant recipients will be awarded up to $125,000 to operate an English Learner Academy, which will include summer 2018 activities and may include spring 2018 activities. 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:	Fund use must be consistent with the priorities described above and the requirements associated with Massachusetts DESE's Strategic Plan . The focus of this grant is to support the implementation of targeted strategies that will provide intensive and accelerated learning opportunities for middle and high school students who are English language learners There will be a mid-grant conference call held on August 1st, 2018 to discuss the status of grant-funded programs. All awardees will be required to participate. The exact time will be announced once the grant recipients have been announced.
Project Duration:	FY18: Upon Approval – June 30, 2018 FY19: July 1, 2018 – August 31, 2018
Program Unit:	Center for Instructional Support
Contact:	Zhaneta Liti
Phone Number:	(781) 338-3572
Date Due:	Friday, March 30, 2018 Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the date due. Applicants may submit proposals before the grant deadline. Because this is a competitive grant, late proposals will not be considered.
Required Forms:	Part I FY18 and FY19 — General — Program Unit Signature Page —Submit as a PDF with the original signature of the Superintendent. FY18 Part II — Budget Detail Pages (Include both pages.) FY19 Part II — Budget Detail Pages (Include both pages.) Part III — Required Program Information
Additional Information:	Reporting Each grant recipient must complete a grant report at the end of the program explaining how the program has been successful and how did the program meet the intended outcome goals. Be as specific and concrete as possible. This report to be submitted no later than August 31st, 2018. Scoring Rubric
Submission Instructions:	Email complete submissions to zliti@doe.mass.edu Complete submissions must include all required forms: FY18 & FY19 Part I — General — Program Unit Signature Page —Submit as a PDF with the original signature of the Superintendent. FY18 Part II — Budget Detail Pages (Include both pages.) FY19 Part II — Budget Detail Pages (Include both pages.) Part III — Required Program Information Awarded Recipients: Upon award, recipients will be required to enter the approved budget, Part I and Part III in EdGrants. Once selected, recipients will be contacted with further instructions on the process.

Note:

1 Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 23a, Section 3a : "Gateway municipality", a municipality with a population greater than 35,000 and less than 250,000, a median household income below the commonwealth's average and a rate of educational attainment of a bachelor's degree or above that is below the commonwealth's average." As of January 2016,the 26 Gateway Municipalities include: Attleboro, Barnstable, Brockton, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Methuen, New Bedford, Peabody, Pittsfield, Quincy, Revere, Salem, Springfield, Taunton, Westfield, and Worcester.