FY2024: Proficiency-based Outcomes in Languages Other than English

Fund Code: 0189

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 schools, districts, and partnerships 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 new or already-existing world language partnerships (such as schools/districts in geographical proximity to one another; vocational schools; schools/districts with elementary world language programs; etc.) for the purposes of (1) supporting district-level world languages leadership; (2) facilitating professional collaboration around the 2021 World Languages Curriculum Framework, and (3) addressing the insufficient world language teacher pipeline.

Priorities:

Competitive priority will be given to districts and schools in chronically underperforming status.

Eligibility:

This competitive grant program is designed for districts, charter schools, regional schools and collaboratives.

Funding Type:

State Line Item 7027-1004

Funding:

Approximately $500,000 is available.

This RFP is the governing document for these grant funds.

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: FY2024: Upon approval through 6/30/2024
Summer: FY2025: 7/1/2024 – 8/31/2024

Program Unit:

Center for School and District Partnership

Contact:

Diana Gentile

Date Due:

Monday, October 2, 2023

Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. Eastern.

All responses must be received by the due date listed above. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. Responses not received on time will not be reviewed. Applicants applying after the due date may be notified their application was received late and will not be reviewed. Applications must be submitted as directed in the Submissions Instructions below. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. If you need assistance with submitting your application, please reach out to the contact person listed on this funding opportunity.

Additional Information:

For Goal 2, a partnership will be defined as two more independent local education agencies (LEAs), such as districts, charter schools, regional vocational and technical schools, collaboratives, etc., which will work together to share the resources of the grant to accomplish larger goals. Partnerships may be based on geography, or by needs and situations specific to the partnerships (e.g., RVTs, schools with language-specific programs, etc.). The partnership should identify one school/district to be the grant manager, and all LEAs participating in the partnership must submit a statement from the superintendent/school leader affirming their knowledge of and commitment to the partnership.

Please submit questions to diana.gentile@mass.gov . Questions and answers will be posted to Headlines on the English Learner Education page.

GEM$ Submission Instructions:

The FY24 FC 0189 English Learner Education Support grant will be submitted in our new GEM$ system. GEM$ is a cloud-based fiscal and program management grant system that will eventually phase out the use of EdGrants.

Grants for Education Management System (GEM$)

Competitive grant applications are considered submitted when the Superintendent / Chief Executive approves the grant application in GEM$. In order to be considered for competitive funding, applicants must submit a grant application by the due date listed in the RFP.

The Superintendent / Chief Executive Approved Step allows for the organization lead to review and approve the grant application. Removing the requirement for the Part I Standard Contract Form, this step signifies Superintendent /Chief Executive sign off. Any grant budget changes requiring signature, will re-execute this step when amended signifying the organization lead is approving these changes.

Please Note: Grant Submission requires applicants to have their organization established in GEM$. Entities that do not have an organization in GEM$ must contact the DESE Program Unit issuing this grant at a minimum 5 business days prior to the grant due date for temporary organization access.

Failure to provide DESE with GEMS Request Form at least 5 business days prior to the due date may result in not meeting the submission due date listed above. DESE cannot accept or review applications after the due date.

Last Updated: September 29, 2023