FY2019: Innovation Schools Planning-Enhancement Grant

Fund Code: 156

Purpose:

The purpose of this one-time competitive state funded Innovation Schools Planning- Enhancement Grant is to support the planning process needed to develop and establish new and conversion innovation schools by September 2019 or provide district and school support for the enhanced implementation of the autonomies and flexibilities identified in approved innovation plans in academic year 2018-2019.

Innovation schools are in-district public schools that operate with increased autonomy and flexibilities in six key areas: curriculum, instruction, and assessment; schedule and calendar; staffing; professional development; district policies and procedures; and budget. The innovation school model is rooted in the belief that autonomy and flexibly in one or more of the six identified areas will establish the school conditions that lead to improved teaching and learning.

Priorities:

Priorities for this competitive grant will be given to applicants that:

1. Propose to establish or currently operate an innovation school or academy in a district categorized as "partially meeting targets" or "focused/targeted support" as defined in Massachusetts' Next-Generation Accountability System.
2. Clearly demonstrate how the implementation of the approved innovation plan supports students in schools categorized as "partially meeting targets" or "focused/targeted support" and improves teaching and learning.

Please reference the Department's District and School Accountability webpage to access accountability lists, materials, and tools.

Eligibility:

In order to apply for a planning grant, an applicant must:

1. Be an eligible applicant as identified in the innovation schools statute, M.G.L., Chapter 71, section 92: (i) parents; (ii) teachers; (iii) parent-teacher organizations; (iv) principals; (v) superintendents; (vi) school committees; (vii) teacher unions; (viii) colleges and universities; (ix) non-profit community-based organizations; (x) non-profit business or corporate entities; (xi) non-profit charter school operators; (xii) non-profit education management organizations; (xiii) educational collaboratives; (xiv) consortia of these groups; and (xv) non-profit entities authorized by the commissioner.
2. Have completed the first stage of the authorization process as outlined in M.G.L., Chapter 71, Section 92 (m). The first stage of the authorization process requires that the applicant's prospectus be approved by two-thirds of the district's three member screening committee.
3. Not have received a previous planning grant award.

In order to apply for an enhancement grant, an applicant must have completed one full year of implementation of an approved innovation school or innovation academy.

Funding Type:

State

Funding:

A total of $200,000 will be awarded from the innovation schools line item. Planning Grants: Award amounts will be up to $10,000 per proposed innovation school or innovation academy. Enhancement Grants: Award amounts are anticipated to be up to $15,000 per approved innovation academy and up to $30,000 per approved innovation school.

Fund Use:

Planning Grants: Funds must be used to support innovation school planning activities and must be reasonable, appropriate, and consistent with all applicable state and federal requirements.

Examples of allowable expenditures include, but are not limited to: 1) stipends for educators to participate in the planning process; 2) reimbursements for substitutes to release educators involved in the planning process; 3) services provided by consultants; and 4) the acquisition of curriculum materials related to the development of an innovation plan.

Examples of unallowable expenditures include, but are not limited to: 1) capital expenses; 2) the purchase of computer hardware; 3) out-of-state travel expenses, and 4) purchase of food or beverages.

Enhancement Grants: Funds must be used to support continued high quality implementation of the approved innovation plan. All expenditures must be consistent with applicable state and federal requirements. Examples of unallowable expenditures include, but are not limited to: 1) stipends or costs related to direct service provision to students; 2) out-of-state travel expenses; and 3) purchase of food or beverages.

Project Duration:

Upon Approval – 06/30/2019

Program Unit:

Office Charter Schools and School Redesign

Contact:

Shay Edmond

Additional Information:

Applicants may submit non-binding intent to apply emails to sedmond@doe.mass.edu by Tuesday, October 9, 2018. Please include the name of the proposed innovation school or innovation academy or name of the innovation school or innovation academy for which the applicant seeks enhancement grant funding.

Date Due:

Friday, October 19, 2018

Required Forms:

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

Part II — Budget Workbook

Part III — Required Program Information Form

Part IV — Grant Assurances

Copy of approved innovation school prospectus or approved innovation plan.

Submission Instructions:

Email all required documents in their original Word or Excel formats (e.g., not converted to a PDF), to sedmond@doe.mass.edu. Note: Electronic signatures are required on the emailed versions.

Awarded Recipients: Upon award, recipients will be required to submit all required materials through EdGrants. Once selected, recipients will be contacted with further instructions on the process.

Last Updated: September 12, 2018