The purpose of this competitive grant is to assist school districts in the planning and development of a career-connected learning model for middle school students. In- and out- of school time lessons, activities, and projects will be developed to support students as they discover their personal interests, skills, talents and passions, explore careers that align to those attributes and engage in meaningful experiences to deepen their learning. The model will help students see the relevance of their academic learning as they begin exploring careers and understand all the potential learning opportunities and pathway options that will be available when they transition to high school.
A career connected learning model that provides students the opportunity to discover their individual interests, skills, and talents, explore multiple career fields to identify those related to individual personal attributes, and engage in meaningful activities that build relevance of their middle school learning. The model should demonstrate sequential learning that moves across a spectrum ensuring deeper learning in the three domains for college, career, and civic readiness - Personal/Social/Emotional Development, Career Development, and Academic and Planning (MyCAP).
The grant will be used to plan/develop, pilot, and reflect upon models of middle school career exploration. Models will be shared with the Department for use as resources in expanding statewide career connected learning in the middle grades.
The model must:
There should be a planning team that ensures the middle school career connected learning model includes a variety of sequential learning opportunities that support self-identification of interests, skills and talents; career awareness activities such as field trips and/or guest speakers; leading to career exploration through service-learning opportunities, and work-based learning projects. The design team may include school personnel, family representatives, district personnel including high school staff, as well as representatives from the local MassHire Board and employer partners.
Recipients may call on models and resources for middle school career connected learning including:
Recipients will complete a grant-end report and share resources, lesson plans, tools, and other artifacts from implementation with DESE. Recipients may be asked to share their experience in a virtual or in person convening of districts.
All public Massachusetts school districts including regional and charter schools that:
State Line Item 7035-0001
Approximately $500,000 is available.
The maximum amount for which a district can apply for is $25,000.
This grant will prioritize at least 25% of available funds available for schools and districts in chronically underperforming status. If applications are not received from schools in status, funds will be distributed to other 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.
This RFP is the governing document for these grant funds.
This resource is available for Grant Budget guidance .
Funds must be used in alignment with the purpose and priorities outlined and as described in a budget, budget narrative, and required program information that is submitted to the Department's Office of College, Career and Technical Education (CCTE).
Stipends and costs related to a team approach developing/planning/implementing the career connected learning experiences
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
Funds May Not Be Used For:
Upon Approval – 6/30/2025
Office of College, Career, and Technical Education
Lisa Harney
Friday, August 2, 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.
The 0424 Middle School Career-Connected Learning Partnership 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 form can be accessed without logging in to the system.
Last Updated: June 12, 2024
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