The purpose of this competitive grant is to fund the implementation of a specific strategic initiative, the Acceleration Academies, during the 2024 April school vacation week and/or summer 2024 to help accelerate the learning of students.
This grant opportunity provides funding to support the implementation of math focused Acceleration Academies during the 2024 April school vacation week (Option A) and the implementation of Acceleration Academies during summer 2024 (Option B). More information regarding Option A (April Acceleration Academies) and Option B (Summer Acceleration Academies) can be found below.
Option A: 2024 April Acceleration Academies
The 2024 April Acceleration Academies are intended to provide math focused learning opportunities for students during the 2024 April school vacation week. Funds from Option A must be used to support the implementation of math focused Acceleration Academies for students in grades 3 through 12.
Key Instructional Components for 2024 April Acceleration Academies
The math focused April Acceleration Academies should involve engaging, collaborative and hands-on learning experiences where students apply their mathematical knowledge and skills to real-world problems and focus on mastery (conceptual understanding and fluency) of a limited number of grade level or above grade level standards (depth, not breadth).
April Acceleration Academy Program Guidance
Please review the Math Acceleration Academy Guidebook for additional information regarding planning, implementation, and program reporting.
Option B: 2024 Summer Acceleration Academies
The 2024 Summer Acceleration Academies are intended to supplement, not supplant, programming an applicant is already planning to offer over the summer, therefore an LEA's proposed Summer Acceleration Academy program should not overlap with other summer programs the LEA may be offering. Funds from Option B can be used to support the following:
Early Literacy Academy for rising kindergartners, rising 1st graders, and rising 2nd graders
English/English Language Arts Academy for rising 3rd graders, rising 4th graders, rising 5th graders, rising 6th graders, rising 7th graders, rising 8th graders, and rising 10th graders
Math Academy for rising 3rd graders, rising 4th graders, rising 5th graders, rising 6th graders, rising 7th graders, rising 8th graders, and rising 10th graders
Key Instructional Components Specific to a Summer Acceleration Academy
An Early Literacy Academy should prioritize skills for early reading based on student needs, as determined by local assessments. Instructional time should be dedicated to grade-appropriate foundational skills and engaging with complex text. Grade-specific guides for each of these instructional components can be found at Mass Literacy.
An ELA Academy should focus on the Massachusetts Anchor Standards for Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Language for the appropriate grade levels. Lessons should include multiple opportunities for students to interact with and do close readings of complex texts, both literary and informational, participate in academic discussions grounded in the complex texts, and produce written analysis based on their close reading of texts and class discussions.
A Math Academy should involve engaging, collaborative and hands-on learning experiences where students apply their mathematical knowledge and skills to real-world problems and focus on mastery (conceptual understanding and fluency) of a limited number of grade level standards (or above grade level standards, if appropriate).
Summer Acceleration Academy Program Guidance
Please review the Summer Acceleration Academy Guidebook for additional information regarding planning, implementation, and program reporting.
General Acceleration Academy Model
An Acceleration Academy is an academic program designed to accelerate student learning through engaging, standards-aligned lessons. Applicants that receive Vacation Acceleration Academy Grant funds must implement the Acceleration Academy model with fidelity, ensuring the program adheres to the following key program components:
Instruction is provided in-person.
Lessons are tailored to the specific needs of students and should involve engaging, standards-aligned learning experiences.
Multiple forms of student data (MCAS, benchmark assessments, attendance, etc.) are used to determine which students are invited to participate in an Academy.
Multiples forms of student data (MCAS, benchmark assessments, etc.) are used to determine the focus standards for the Acceleration Academies.
Students receive between 20–25 hours of instruction in one content area (i.e., early literacy, English/ELA, or Math) during either a 1-week or 2-week Academy. April Acceleration Academies must be 1-week Academies but Summer Acceleration Academies can be either 1 or 2 weeks long. If an Academy takes place over 2 weeks, it must be 2 consecutive weeks.
Students in elementary and middle school grades should attend at least 1 specials or enrichment class each day (Highly recommended but not required).*
Class sizes are small (10–12 students per classroom teacher).
Students are taught by the same teacher for the duration of the Academy program.
Classes are taught by highly effective teachers who are hired through a selective application process.
Teachers are given the autonomy to create lessons based on their students' specific needs and/or focus standards as well as instructional expectations set by the district or school.
The schools/districts running Acceleration Academies provide planning time and/or professional development for Academy teachers prior to the Academy to ensure teachers are creating high-quality, engaging lessons and units that align to the focus standards set by the district or school.
Schools/districts should aim to enroll up to roughly 10% of students at each grade level served by the proposed Acceleration Academy programs.
*Note Regarding Specials:Districts/schools are encouraged to work with educators to create specials that integrate core content concepts within the specials class (for instance, a STEAM focused special that builds upon what students are learning in their Math Academy class). Student time spent in specials that integrate core content concepts and learning can be counted toward the 20+ hour instruction requirement for an Academy. Or, rather than having separate specials classes, districts/schools could also work with core content teachers and specialists to develop integrated co-teaching classes.
Competitive priority will be given to:
School districts, charter schools, education collaboratives, and career vocational technical education (CVTE) schools, are eligible to apply. Due to the in-person program requirement, virtual schools/districts are not eligible to apply.
Please note that school districts, charter schools, education collaboratives, and career vocational technical education (CVTE) schools that are already receiving funding through the FY24 Math Acceleration Academies Grant are not eligible to apply for additional funding to support 2024 April Acceleration Academies (Option A). They are, however, eligible to apply for funding to support 2024 Summer Acceleration Academies (Option B).
Districts or Zones in the Strategic Transformation Region may be awarded multiple awards to account for alternative governance structures (e.g., Springfield Empowerment Partnership Zone).
Federal CFDA: 84.425 Federal Coronavirus Relief Programs - Federal Grant Programs
Federal grant funds must adhere to:
Approximately $7,000,000 is available through this grant opportunity. 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.
Applicants can request up to $3,000 per Acceleration Academy teacher needed for an Academy (10–12 students per classroom/teacher), plus funding for general program implementation costs such as consumable classroom materials, high-quality instructional materials, busing, food services for breakfast and/or lunch, etc.
For example:
If an April Acceleration Academy requires 4 classroom teachers, an applicant could request $12,000 (4 teachers x $3,000) for teacher stipends plus funding for a program facilitator, busing, materials, food services, etc., under Option A.
If a Summer Acceleration Academy program requires 6 classroom teachers (2 for early literacy, 2 for math, and 2 for ELA), an applicant could request $18,000 (6 teachers x $3,000) for teacher stipends plus funding for a program facilitator, busing, materials, food services, etc., under Option B.
Per the "Acceleration Academy Model" guidance provided in this RFP, applicants should only request funds needed to provide programming for up to 10% of students for each of the grade levels served by an Academy.
Please see the "Fund Use" section of this RFP for additional information on allowable and unallowable program costs.
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.
As outlined in the Purpose section, funds must be used to implement the Acceleration Academy model with fidelity and funds must be used for in-person Acceleration Academy programming. The majority of funds from this grant must be used for teacher stipends but funds can also be used for grant and program coordination salaries/stipends, administrative staff stipends, transportation, food services, consumable program materials and supplies (paper, pencils, markers, etc.), high-quality instructional materials, Appleseeds materials, professional development/facilitated planning, and family engagement activities.
Important Notes:
Approved applicants are expected to use these funds in accordance with state and federal laws.
FY24 (April Acceleration Academies): Upon Approval – 6/30/2024 FY25 (Summer Acceleration Academies): 7/1/2024 – 9/30/2024
All grant-funded activities must be paid by the project duration end date of September 30, 2024. All grant recipients will be expected to provide an annual summary report on grant-funded activities and outcomes once the grant is completed.
Orders and contracts must be in place by 9/30/2024. If needed, the ability to receive items/services can be extended to 11/30/2024. All funds should be liquidated and the grant closed (FR1 or FER filed) by 12/31/2024.
Center for Strategic Initiatives
Thomas Zorich Phone: (781) 338-3528
Proposals must be received via email by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on Friday, February 16, 2024 *
*All responses must be received by the due date and time listed in this RFP. All responses must be submitted as directed in the Submissions Instructions section of this RFP. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. Responses not submitted on time will not be reviewed. If you need assistance with submitting your application, please reach out to the contact person listed in this RFP.
Part III — Required Program Information
Part IV — Grant Assurances
Important: Vendor Scope of Work — If your proposal includes funds used for services from an external PD provider, please submit a scope of work that includes that organization's planned activities and costs, on that organization's letterhead. Those costs should correspond to the budget submitted (Part II).
Note on Budget Details.Please use the provided Budget template to calculate each budget. This budget will allow us to determine the number of grants that may be awarded. This does not necessarily represent your final award amount. Costs for some items, like materials printing purchases, cannot be accurately budgeted until the printing vendors finalize the amount. In those cases, the Budget template provides estimates to be used in the application. Recipients will be able to seek budget amendments after award to reflect accurate costs.
Email all required forms in their original Word or Excel formats (e.g., not converted to a PDF; except the signed Part I document which should be converted to PDF), to CSI@mass.gov . Please use the provided original Word or Excel formats (e.g., not converted to a PDF; with the exception of the signed Part I which should be converted to PDF). Grant applicants will receive a confirmation message within 2–3 days via email upon receiving the submission.
Upon award, recipients will be required to enter the approved FY24 budget in EdGrants and upload the required documents. Grant recipients will be contacted with further instructions on the process.
Last Updated: February 1, 2024
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