FY2023: Middle School Career Connected Learning Partnership Grant

Fund Code: 424

Purpose:

The purpose of this targeted grant is to assist school districts in the planning and development of a career-connected learning experience for middle school students that will enable them to explore their career-related interests; see the relevance of their middle school learning experiences; and understand all the potential high school courses and programs that are available to them to pursue their paths.

Priorities:

Design a learning experience model that includes every middle school student in at least the 6^th and 7^th grades, and can include 8^th grade, that provides the opportunity to explore their career-related interests which help to build relevance of their middle school learning experiences

The model should include ways that local district high school(s) and representatives of regional and other public-school options are integrated to share options with students. Students should learn about all available Innovation Career Pathways, Early College programs, Career and Technical Education Chapter 74 programs, Local Pathway programs, Work-based learning opportunities in high school, postsecondary partnerships, and additional advanced coursework opportunities.

The model should integrate the school/district's comprehensive counseling program and MyCAP process for students.

The model should include a variety of experiential learning such as field trips, guest speakers, service learning, and work-based learning projects. The planning team should be made up of partners from the district, additional public-school options (such as regional technical schools), MassHire, and employer partners.

The design team may choose to offer a pilot of the model prior to June 30, 2023.

Eligibility:

Eligible schools meet one or both of the following criteria:

• Have participated in MyCAP Middle School training
• Have reported students in a CTE Partnership Program for the 2022-2023 School Year

District Name	Amount
Athol Royalston	$40,000
Beverly	$40,000
Brockton	$40,000
Brookline	$40,000
Cambridge	$40,000
Carver	$40,000
Everett	$40,000
Gill-Montague Regional School District	$40,000
Hull	$40,000
King Philip	$40,000
Lawrence	$40,000
Libertas Academy Charter School	$40,000
Lowell	$40,000
Lynn	$40,000
Marblehead	$40,000
Maynard Public Schools	$40,000
Methuen	$40,000
Millbury	$40,000
Natick	$40,000
Needham	$40,000
New Bedford	$40,000
North Adams	$40,000
Pembroke	$40,000
Pentucket Regional	$40,000
Phoenix Academy Public Charter High School, Lawrence (District)	$40,000
Springfield	$40,000
Stoughton	$40,000
Swampscott	$40,000
Total	$1,120,000

Funding Type:

State

Funding:

An approximate total amount of $1,120,000 is available to eligible applicants.

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:

Stipends and costs related to a team approach developing the learning experience model and optional planning with DESE and any technical assistance providers

Contracting with professional development and/or technical assistance providers

Professional development related to career readiness curriculum and instruction

Materials and supplies related to career readiness curriculum and instruction including tools and equipment related to career readiness instruction

Expenses related to optional pilot springtime program including transportation

Cannot be used for future subscriptions and platforms. Funds for these items may be available through a future implementation grant.

Project Duration:

Upon Approval* – 6/30/2023

* Grant start date cannot be prior to DESE receiving a substantially approvable Application Submission as directed in this RFP's Submission Instructions. Goods and Services cannot be procured prior to Grants receiving and approving an application submission. Funds cannot exceed the project duration end date.

Program Unit:

Office for College, Career, and Technical Education

Contact:

Nicole Smith

Phone Number:

508-494-1730

Date Due:

Wednesday March 15, 2023

Required Forms:

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

• Part III — Required Program Information

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:

FY23 424 Middle School Career-Connected Learning Partnership Grant

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 Schedule A form, if applicable to your district.

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, 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 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: March 2, 2023