The purpose of this targeted grant is to provide funds to support identified and at-risk LEAs' participation in trainings and a professional learning community sponsored by DESE during FY 2021, and the related analysis and planning activities that will occur outside of sessions convened by DESE. For identified LEAs, this work is in service to planning for CCEIS activities that must occur in school year 2021-2022 to address root causes of significant disproportionality and to support the population(s) of students affected by it. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) notified these LEAs of disproportionality identification in November 2020.
LEAs determined to be at-risk may use funds to cover costs to participate in sessions convened by DESE and other related activities in school year 2020-2021.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) outlines requirements pertaining to significant disproportionality and the related fiscal implications. States are required to identify significantly disproportionality in LEAs by race and ethnicity in special education identification, placement, and discipline.
IDEA requires that any school district identified with significant disproportionality must take specific actions to address that disproportionality, including targeting expenditures from the following year's IDEA Part B grant for these activities. Specifically, a district identified with significant disproportionality is required to:
set aside 15 percent of its total IDEA Part B allocation and spend those funds on providing comprehensive coordinated early intervening services (CCEIS or Comprehensive CEIS) to address factors contributing to the significant disproportionality (34 C.F.R. § 300.646(c) and (d)). Comprehensive CEIS (34 C.F.R. § 300.646(d)) is used to serve, particularly, but not exclusively, students in those groups significantly disproportionate from age three through grade 12 with and without disabilities.
More information on significant disproportionality can be found here: Special Education: Significant Disproportionality webpage.
Local Education Agencies identified with significant disproportionality in special education for the 2020-2021 school year are eligible to apply for these program improvement funds. Local Education Agencies that have been determined at-risk of identification with significant disproportionality in special education for the 2021-2022 school year are also eligible to apply for these program improvement funds. Districts received notice from DESE of their significant disproportionality identification in November 2020.
Federal U.S. Department of Education CFDA 84.027
The approximate amount to be awarded is $250,000.
Fund Code 258 is a targeted grant made available from federal IDEA Part B funds and is subject to fund availability.
Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding becomes available it will be distributed under the same guidelines that appear in this RFP document.
This grant expires 8/31/2021. Districts must obligate these funds by 8/31/21, funds not obligated by 8/31/2021 must be returned to DESE by 09/30/2021.
All expenditures must be for the excess costs of special education related to program improvement and may not include direct services or materials for students. Fund use must be consistent with allowable costs identified in IDEA and the Uniform Grant Guidance, 2 C.F.R. Part 200
Upon approval – 08/31/2021
Special Education Planning and Policy Office
Bob Hanafin
(781) 338-3364
Friday, March 19, 2021
A narrative evaluation on the funded activities and outcomes of the program is requested by the Department after the end of each of the program years by September 30th.
For Grant Management processes, including the Request for Funds, information about requesting funds beyond the initial payment, and additional details on managing your grant, see this webpage: EdGrants: User Guides, Information and Trainings.
Submit all required grant materials through EdGrants.
Grant proposals must provide a written articulation about how proposed activities create meaningful and sustainable implementation of IDEA and accelerate progress for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
In EdGrants, districts are required to create and name the project. Please use the following naming convention for your "Applicant Project Name" in EdGrants:
FY 21 258 [Applicant # District Name]
All items listed under the required forms section of this grant 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 an original signature of the Superintendent/Executive Director and Required Program Information.
Applicant final budgets will be entered directly into EdGrants as part of the application submission process.
For Guidance Documents regarding EdGrants, visit EdGrants: User Guides, Information and Trainings.
Please note: It is up to the district to determine who they want to add as EdGrants Front Office users in order to submit the 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.
Submit Amendments through EdGrants. Refer to EdGrants Front Office User Guide: Application Submission, at EdGrants: User Guides, Information and Trainings.
If you have specific questions, please contact Bob Hanafin at bob.hanafin@mass.gov or 781-338-3364.
Last Updated: January 28, 2021
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
Disclaimer: A reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.