Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs

FY2023: Proficiency-based Outcomes in Languages Other than English

Fund Code: 189

Purpose:

This program is one of the ways that DESE supports World Language (WL), Heritage Language (HL), Dual Language (DL) and English Language Learner (ELL) programs and districts that wish to support or improve such programs in pre-K, elementary, and/or secondary schools.

There are two goals for the grant. Districts may apply for funding to fulfill either one or both of the goals:

Goal 1: Collect and analyze data pertaining to proficiency in languages other than English (LOTE) to improve World Languages, Heritage Languages, and English Learner programs.
Goal 2: Support educators to teach for proficiency in LOTE by aligning or developing world language curriculum to the proficiency-based standards and high-leverage teaching practices described in the 2021 Massachusetts World Languages Curriculum Framework.

Priorities:

Priorities for Goal 1

Goal 1: Collect and analyze data pertaining to proficiency in Languages other than English (LOTE) to improve World Language, Heritage Language, and English Learner programs.

The intended outcomes for Goal 1 are as follows:

Districts implement and collect data from ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL), ACTFL Latin Interpretive Reading Assessment (ALIRA), and/or Standards-based Measurement of Proficiency (STAMP) assessments.
Districts participate in ongoing data-based discussions to prepare students for high levels of proficiency.
Districts participate in the MA State Seal of Biliteracy program.

Priorities for Goal 1 will be given to:

Districts which have not previously received funding under Goal 1 of this program;
Districts with high incidences (350 or more) of English Learners;
Districts who are enrolled in the Seal of Biliteracy on the Department's Security Portal prior to the submission of this application;
Proposals that include a letter of commitment to 1) implement the 2021 Massachusetts World Languages Curriculum Framework for their local WL program development, and 2) participate in the Department's World Language Leaders Networks in SY2022-23;
Proposals that identify specific groups of students (e.g., grade level, course level, language) that will attempt these assessments and compelling reasons as to why that particular group of students is selected;
Proposals that include a plan to make students/families aware of the AAPPL, ALIRA, and/or STAMP assessment(s), train staff members to proctor and assist with the assessment(s), and provide appropriate environments during the regularly scheduled school day for students to complete the assessment(s), to provide the district with reliable proficiency-based data;
Proposals that include descriptions of and plans for ongoing data-based conversations among WL/HL teachers and supervisors, especially in the months following the receipt of results from the AAPPL/ALIRA/STAMP assessments, as well as specific programmatic improvements that the results may inform; and
Proposals that outline a plan to continue to implement high-quality, proficiency-based LOTE assessments after the funding from this program is complete.

Priorities for Goal 2

Goal 2: Support educators to teach for proficiency in LOTE by aligning to the proficiency-based standards and high-leverage teaching practices described in the 2021 Massachusetts World Languages Curriculum Framework.

The intended outcomes for Goal 2 are as follows:

Districts improve programs by supporting world language faculty to access the World Languages Framework Implementation Series.
Districts provide appropriate time and environment to engage in ongoing collaboration toward aligning or developing district curriculum to align to the 2021 Massachusetts World Languages Curriculum Framework

Priorities for Goal 2 will be given to:

Districts with high incidences (350 or more) of English Learners;
Proposals that describe the district's plan to engage relevant stakeholders in DESE-provided training modules and curriculum alignment labs; ¹
Proposals that describe the district's plan to facilitate regular, ongoing district-based conversations that include WL, HL, and/or DL teaching staff about improving their programs to align with their professional learning and the 2021 Massachusetts World Languages Curriculum Framework;
Proposals that describe the district's plan to provide collaborative time for WL curriculum stakeholders to develop or align one or more units of world language curriculum to the 2021 World Languages Curriculum Framework;
Proposals that describe the district's plan to complete curriculum development/alignment for all units of world languages curriculum within three years;
Districts who include an action plan for using these resources to equitably expand or improve world language programs; and
Proposals that include a letter of commitment to participate in the Department's World Language Leaders Networks in 2022-23;

Note: Competitive priority for both goals will be given to districts and schools in chronically underperforming status and the Strategic Transformation Region.

Eligibility:

Districts with World Language (WL), Heritage Language (HL), Dual Language (DL) and English Language Learner (ELL) programs and districts that wish to support or improve such programs in pre-K, elementary, and/or secondary schools.

Funding Type:

State

Funding:

Approximately $750,000 is available. 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 as listed in the initial RFP document.

Goal 1: Approximately $250,000 will be allocated for Goal 1.
Goal 2: Approximately $500,000 will be allocated for Goal 2.

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:

Fund use must be consistent with the priorities described above and the requirements associated with Massachusetts ESE's Strategic Plan . The focus of this grant is to support the implementation of data-driven, proficiency-based WL, HL, and ELL programs, centered around the new Massachusetts World Languages Curriculum Framework, and in support of the Seal of Biliteracy program.

Project Duration:

School Year: FY2023: Upon approval through 6/30/2023
Summer: FY2024: 7/1/2023 – 8/31/2023

Program Unit:

Center for School and District Partnership

Contact:

Diana Gentile

Phone Number:

(781) 338-3584

Date Due:

Friday, September 16, 2022

Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 16, 2022.

Required Forms:

Instructions for the Budget and Narrative
Applicants must submit Budget Details using the Part II templates provided with proposed expenditures for FY23 and FY24, as well as a detailed Budget Narrative template included in Part III that connects all expenditures to the intended outcomes of the goals they're applying for.

Please Note Budget Detail Documents Have a Tab for Each Goal.

Additional Information:

Please see the attached Additional Information .

Districts submitting a budget with an Indirect Cost Rate must use Indirect Cost District Rate 2023 to confirm the maximum FY2022 approved indirect cost rate allowed and must fill out Indirect Cost Rate Calculation Worksheet .

Submission Instructions:

Complete proposals must be submitted by email to diana.gentile@mass.gov by 5:00 PM on Friday, September 16, 2022.

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.

Awarded Recipients: Upon award, recipients will be required to enter the approved budget — in EdGrants and upload required documents. Once selected, recipients will be contacted with further instructions on the process.

¹ See Framework Implementation for information regarding dates, times, and availability of modules and labs.

Last Updated: August 17, 2022