The purpose of this federally funded competitive grant opportunity is to provide supplementary support for dropout prevention and reengagement activities to high schools with high numbers of dropouts. These students may: be expectant or parenting teens, have drug or alcohol addictions, have current or previous contact with the courts or juvenile justice system, be at least one year behind expected grade level for the age of the individual, have limited English proficiency, be a gang member, be a former dropout, have high or chronic absenteeism, and/or any other factors that would place students at-risk for not graduating.
Competitive priority will be given to districts and schools in chronically underperforming status.
This grant is intended to provide identified high schools with high dropout numbers in school year 2022-2023 an opportunity to apply for competitive funding to better meet the needs of their at-risk students by reducing the number of students dropping out of school, and ultimately increasing high school graduation rates.
Grant applicants must select at least one evidence-based strategy (see Research-based Strategies for implementation in response to a needs assessment that identifies the need that will be addressed by the selected strategy or strategies. Schools that have existing turnaround plans may use information from the turnaround plan to identify the need and the reason for the strategy selection in response to the needs assessment.
The focus of the work should be on a student-centered activity that contributes to immediate action for decreasing the number of students dropping out. In person activities that will build relationships and foster personal social skills that will lead to successful workplace behaviors as well as the implementation of a career development continuum are strongly suggested so students can experience a sense of hope, see a future for themselves in a field that is aligned with personal interests and skills and create an individual pathway to success.
Details on research-based strategy areas are available in the Research-Based Strategies for Dropout Prevention and Re-Engagement. A second resource that may help identify programs and strategies for success for at-risk youth could be the Alternative Education Guide. Both documents are available in the "Additional Information" box below.
Schools with dropout rates higher than the state average in 2023 and over 40 dropouts (up to $50,000) or 15 to 39 dropouts and twice the state average. (up to $25,000) Districts may apply on behalf of schools up to the eligible amount(s). Eligibility amounts are based on the size of the school and numbers/percentages of dropouts in school year 2022-23.
FY25 0320 Eligibility List
Federal CFDA 84.010 Federal Title I At-Risk Youth fundsFederal grant funds must adhere to:
Approximately $750,000 is available under this fund code.
Priority for funding will be given for schools and districts in chronically underperforming status
This RFP is the governing document for these grant funds.
Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding becomes available, it will be distributed under the same guidelines that appear in this RFP document. Districts are eligible to apply for funding to support the school(s) in their district that meet the eligibility requirement.
Funds may be used for costs associated with the implementation of the research-based programming as identified in "additional Information" below and targeted to students at-risk of dropping out of school. Allowable uses include, but are not limited to, the following:
Additional Notes:
Additional General Grant coding Guidance is available.
Upon Approval – 6/30/2025
lisa.m.harney@mass.gov or 781-338-3903
Friday August 16, 2024*
Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on the date due.
*All responses must be received by the due date listed above. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. Responses not received on time will not be reviewed. Applicants applying after the due date may be notified their application was received late and will not be reviewed. Applications must be submitted as directed in the Submissions Instructions below. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. If you need assistance with submitting your application, please reach out to the contact person listed on this funding opportunity.
Competitive grant applications are considered submitted when the Superintendent / Chief Executive approves the grant application in GEM$. In order to be considered for competitive funding, applicants must submit a grant application through the LEA Superintendent Approved stage by the due date listed in the RFP.
This 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.
New Organizations: Grant Submission requires applicants to have their organization established in GEM$. Entities that do not have an organization established in GEM$ 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 GEM$ Temp Organization Access Request 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.
Please Note: Grant Submission at the LEA level requires roles to be established for Grant writer for the specific fund code, LEA fiscal for financial review/approval, and Superintendent/Chief Executive sign off. All these roles should be established prior to the grant due date and all appropriate forms should be either uploaded to GEM$, maintained at the LEA level or sent in to the DESE RFP contact as described on the individual forms. The user guidance documents and forms are found on the GEM$ homepage under DESE Resources. These forms can be accessed without logging in to the system.
Last Updated: May 31, 2024
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