FY2019: Improving High School Graduation Rates and Postsecondary Readiness among First Language is not English (FLNE) Students

Fund Code: 695

Purpose:

The goal of this summer non-competitive funding opportunity is to provide resources for the implementation of work through the America's Promise Graduation Activation Grant. These funds are to be used to design programming and interventions to increase the graduation rate of students who do not speak English as a first language. Participation in this cross-district learning community with targeted training and support is by invitation and is based on the districts with the largest numbers of FLNE students that did not graduate in the 2014 graduation cohort. These services are to supplement currently funded local, state, and federal programs.

Priorities:

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is to strengthen the Commonwealth's public education system so that every student is prepared to succeed in postsecondary education, compete in the global economy, and understand the rights and responsibilities of American citizens, and in so doing, to close all proficiency gaps.

The priority of Improving High School Graduation Rates and Postsecondary Readiness among First Language is not English (FLNE) Students is to increase the graduation rate of first language not English students including: English language learners, former English language learners, refugees, immigrants and/or students with limited or interrupted formal education.

Program Requirements:

• Identify a core team of staff to support district and school planning and implementation, including roles such as central office administrators (e.g., ELL director, student support director), school building administrators (principal, assistant principal), teachers, and school counselors.
• Invite at least one key community partner who will bring expertise and experience working with the FLNE population to participate in the core planning/implementation team.
• Commit to the use of funds between July 1, 2018 and August 31, 2018 to implement programming or plan for school year 2018-2019.

Eligibility:

Eligibility is restricted to those districts who accepted the initial invitation in January 2016 and have attended the May 8^th America's Promise convening.

• Boston Public Schools
• Brockton Public Schools
• Chelsea Public Schools
• Everett Public Schools
• Holyoke Public Schools
• Lowell Public Schools
• New Bedford Public Schools
• Revere Public Schools
• Somerville Public Schools
• Worcester Public Schools

Funding Type:

Trust

Funding:

Districts may apply for up to $3000 for this funding (summer) opportunity.

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:

1. Stipends to support planning and program coordination.
2. Consultant and contract fees to provide program-related professional development.
3. Supplies
4. Other costs subject to agreement by Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Project Duration:

Upon Approval (no earlier than 7/1/2018) – 8/31/2018

Program Unit:

College, Career, and Technical Education

Contact:

Nyal Fuentes

Phone Number:

(781) 338-3593

Date Due:

Wednesday, June 20, 2018. Eligible programs must submit applications at least 15 business days prior to the proposed start of the program in order to allow sufficient time for review, resolution of issues, and processing in order to comply with the state finance regulation 815 CMR 2:00, section 2.05, (4)(b). Applications will be approved on a rolling basis earlier than the deadline. Programs are not permitted to expend funds until applications are approved.

Required Forms:

Part I: Standard Contract Form Note: Please sign your cover page and ensure the amount matches the amount budgeted

Part III: Required Program Information Required to be submitted with all applications.

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:

FY19 695 CCTE (Applicant Name)

All items listed under the required forms section of this RFP should be uploaded / attached in the Attachments List formlet of the Application Submission in EdGrants. This includes a signed / scanned PDF of Part I / Coversheet with Superintendent's signature as well as Part III Required Program Information. The final budget the applicant is requesting will be entered directly into EdGrants as part of the application submission process.

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.

Last Updated: May 8, 2018