FY2022: From Research to Practice: Evidence-Based Early Literacy

Fund Code: 734

Purpose:

The purpose of this continuation grant program is to increase teacher practice and student outcomes in early reading through deep professional development on the Simple View of Reading and systemic support at the school level as articulated in the state's ESSA plan, Student Opportunity Act, Literacy Strategic Plan for Massachusetts, guidance on Culturally Responsive Teaching & Leading and skills for early reading from the Mass Literacy guide.

Each school will be funded for 385 hours of work onsite with an expert consultant. This support includes: collaborating with the established school-based Literacy Leadership Team, assisting in the dissemination of evidence-based, early literacy practices through grade 3 that promote equity of access and academic achievement for diverse students, coaching individual teachers and school-based administration and co-facilitating after-school professional learning sessions focused on Tier I culturally responsive instruction that reflects the early literacy. Cultural responsiveness is essential for all students in the classroom, regardless of their background, culture, or identity.

Priorities:

Through a year of professional learning, participating school teams will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the scientific, evidence-base for early literacy, including how children learn to read, why some children have difficulty learning how to read, and evidence-based, early literacy practices that are culturally responsive and sustaining for all students.
2. Implement these evidence-based practices in culturally responsive and sustaining high-quality literacy instruction.
3. Administer valid assessments, including screeners and progress monitoring, and analyze and use assessment data to inform Tier I and intervention instruction using an asset-based approach.
4. Maintain an established school-based literacy team, to lead implementation and dissemination of evidence-based early literacy instruction, professional learning, and data-based decision making in grades K–3 that is equitable for all learners.

Eligibility:

Massachusetts public schools that received funding for year one of Fund Code 734 in SY2021 are eligible to apply for an FY2022 continuation grant to continue their work. Participation in SY 2021 does not guarantee grant funding for SY 2022. Schools must demonstrate their commitment to grant requirements by completing the Grant Narrative, Part III and the School Assurance Form, Part IV of this grant proposal.

Funding Type:

State

Funding:

A total of approximately $899,000 is projected to be available and will be distributed based on the number of quality proposals submitted and approved.

Pending funding, this continuation grant program will support selected schools who participated during SY 2021, in focused, intensive work to improve student reading in grades K–3. The designated team of teachers and one school-based administrator (principal or assistant principal), representing grades K–3, will participate in year two of the series of professional learning from experts in early literacy to learn and implement culturally responsive, evidence-based instructional practices and assessments during the 21/22 school year.

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.

Fund Use:

Funds may be used for the following for four categories: stipends; substitutes; evidence-based materials and screener; and DESE-approved literacy consultant.

• Grant Team Stipends: $2,000 for each designated grant team member (up to 6 people) for participation in professional learning beyond contractual hours and associated travel costs, which may include:
  • Travel (mileage, parking and/or hotel fees) for two (2) full day statewide literacy institutes and three (3) full day regional meetings;
  • Participation in eight (8) after school meetings (minimum of two hours beyond contractual hours each)
• Additional stipends amounting to $800 each for additional educators, up to ten (10), who elect to fully participate in the eight (8) afterschool, school-based, professional learning meetings;
• Substitutes: up to $100/teacher/day for members of the school grant team (up to five [5] teachers) for five days each, to attend statewide institutes and regional meetings. The substitute budget should be based on the district's standard substitute rate;
• Consultant: The grant-funded consultant is paid by the school (385 hours at $75/hour [$28,875 total]) for on-site, school-based support and professional learning;
• Materials: Budget up to $6,000 to continue the use of the approved early literacy screening assessment used in FY2021. In addition, up to $2,000 to purchase evidence-based materials to support instruction and professional learning related to the grant.

Project Duration:

Upon approval to 6/30/2022

Program Unit:

Center for Instructional Support (CIS)

Contact:

Tracey Martineau

Date Due:

Friday June 4, 2021

See the Submission Instructions section below for additional details.

Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the date due.

Applicants may submit proposals before the grant deadline

Required Forms:

Schools applying for funding must submit a grant application that includes all of the following required forms:

Completed Proposals will include:

• Part I 2022 — General — Program Unit Signature Page (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants

• Part II 2022 — Budget Detail Pages workbook
  Complete the following sections using the drop-down indicators:
  • Section 4: Stipends
    • $2,000/participant up to 6 grant participants
    • $800/participant up to ten participants for those who elect to participate in eight afterschool professional learning meetings
  • Section 6: Contractual Services:
    • school-based literacy consultant ($28,875)
    • substitutes (up to $100/day for five teachers for 5 days each)
  • Section 7: Supplies and Materials:
    • up to $6,000 to purchase an early literacy screener, if needed
    • up to $2,000 for evidence-based materials
  
  

• Part III — Required Program Information — Grant Narrative Form

• Part IV — Assurance from Participating School

• Part V — School District Assurance

Additional Information:

Districts submitting a budget with an Indirect Cost Rate must use "Indirect Cost District Rates 2021.xlsx" to confirm the maximum FY2021 approved indirect cost rate allowed and must fill out "Indirect Cost Rate Calculation Worksheet.xlsx".

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.

Submission Instructions:

Complete proposals must be received via email to Tracey.J.Martineau@mass.gov by 5:00 on June 4, 2021.

Applicants will receive a confirmation when the materials are received. Early submission is strongly encouraged to ensure the complete application is received and confirmed by 5:00 pm on the due date.

Upon award, recipients will be required to enter the approved budget in EdGrants and upload required documents. Grant recipients will be contacted with further instructions on the process.

For Guidance Documents regarding EdGrants, visit EdGrants: User Guides, Information and Trainings.

For information on upcoming EdGrants webinar trainings email EdGrants@doe.mass.edu .

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: April 26, 2021