The competitive Teacher Diversification Pilot Program is designed to support local school district efforts to strengthen and diversify existing teacher recruitment and retention programs. Through the use of state funds, participating pilot school districts will engage in thoughtful approaches intended to increase the number of effective and diverse teachers in their schools.
Applicants may propose to use grant funds to strengthen existing teacher recruitment and retention programs in the following ways:
Paraprofessionals: School districts will identify currently employed paraprofessionals with a bachelor's degree and provide tuition assistance to support enrollment into, and completion of, an approved educator preparation program. In addition, school districts will provide these individuals with Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) preparation support through an approved Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) provider and pay for associated MTEL examination fees through the issuance of Department provided vouchers.
District Graduate or Other College Graduates: School districts will identify district graduate or other college graduates with a bachelor's degree and provide tuition assistance to support their enrollment into, and completion of, an approved educator preparation program. In addition, school districts will provide these individuals with MTEL preparation support through an approved Department provider and pay for associated MTEL examination fees through the issuance of Department provided vouchers. District graduate or other college graduates must commit to serving in the districts eligible for this grant opportunity and to supporting students from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds.
Provisionally Licensed Teachers: School districts will identify currently employed teachers with a 'provisional' license and provide tuition assistance to support their enrollment into, and completion of, an approved educator preparation program.
In an effort to increase effective teacher recruitment and retention, participating pilot districts will be required to review district policies and procedures and identify the cultural proficiency and anti-bias training needs for district hiring managers, teachers, principals, and school committee members. Cultural proficiency and anti-bias training will be provided to school districts through an approved Department provider.
Districts identified as requiring assistance or intervention in the Massachusetts Accountability System are eligible to apply. Please reference the Department's District and School Accountability webpage to access accountability lists, materials, and tools.
State
Approximately $2,000,000 will be awarded to school districts with the possibility of additional funding in subsequent years.
Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding is to become available it will be distributed under the same guideline as listed in the initial RFP document.
Funds must be used to support local district efforts to strengthen and diversify existing teacher recruitment and retention efforts. Activities must be reasonable, appropriate, and consistent with all applicable state and federal requirements.
Option A: Grant funds must be used to provide financial assistance, including tuition payments to approved educator preparation programs, MTEL examination preparation support, and MTEL examination testing fees to support eligible paraprofessionals, district graduates or other college graduates, and provisionally licensed teachers and must be paid by August 31, 2019*. District graduate or other college graduates must commit to serving in the districts eligible for this grant opportunity and to supporting students from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds.
Option B: Grant funds must be used to support district staff to engage in the review process and to enhance existing teacher recruitment and retention programs, including, but not limited to 'grown your own' initiatives or to implement identified enhancements. Grant funded activities must conclude by August 31, 2019*.
Upon approval – 6/30/2019 and if applicable 7/1/2019 – 8/31/2019*
All grant funded activities must be paid by August 31, 2019*. A report on grant funded activities and outcomes will be required. Additional details will be provided to grant funded districts.
The Teacher Diversification Pilot Program concludes in FY2021 subject to funding availability.
Office of the Statewide System of Support
MA_Educator_Diversification@doe.mass.edu
Friday, March 1, 2019
Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the date due.
Email all required forms in their original Word or Excel formats (e.g., not converted to a PDF; with the exception of the signed Part I documents which should be converted to PDF), to MA_Educator_Diversification@doe.mass.edu. Note: Electronic signatures are required on the emailed versions.
Upon award, recipients will be required to enter the approved budget in EdGrants and upload required documents. Grant recipients will be contacted with further instructions on the process.
* Since these are FY2019 state funds, if the applicant wishes to expend a portion of these funds in FY2020: 7/1/2019 – 8/31/2019, both FY2019 and FY2020 Part I and budget workbooks must be submitted.
Last Updated: February 6, 2019
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
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