FY2024: Student Opportunity Act Evidence-Based Practice Grant

Fund Code: 117

Purpose:

The purpose of this continuation grant is to address persistent disparities in achievement among specific student groups, improve educational opportunities for all students, share best practices for improving classroom learning and support efficiencies within and across school districts (Student Opportunity Act, 21^st Century Education Program, Section 16A).

Priorities:

This is a continuation grant available to districts awarded fund code 117-225B in FY23 (see "Eligibility" below). With a commitment to improving equity and closing gaps, this grant prioritizes the adoption and implementation of evidence-based programs that have proven to improve educational opportunities for all students. This grant will support the development, enhancement, and refinement of district efforts to implement the following Evidence-Based Program (EBP) areas:

1. Co-teaching / inclusion for students with disabilities and English learners
2. Research-based early literacy programs in pre-kindergarten and early elementary grades
3. Strategies to recruit and retain educators/administrators in hard-to-staff schools and positions,
4. Implement Expanded Learning Time (ELT) in the form of a longer school day or year

For reference, see DESE's Evidence-Based Program Areas document.

Funding will support districts in their continued work related to the same EBP selected by them in the FY23 Student Opportunity Act — Evidence-Based Practice Grant (117/225B).

See Appendix A in the RFP for recommended strategies related to these evidence-based programs.

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

Eligibility:

Recipients of the FY23 Student Opportunity Act Evidence-Based Practice Grant (Fund Codes 117/225B) are eligible to apply for this continuation grant.

Funding Type:

Trust 7010-2100

Funding:

Approximately $6,000,000 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. Funding is provided through the Student Opportunity Act, 21^st Century Education Program.

Fund Use:

Funds may be used to support programming costs including staff salaries, stipends, staff planning time as it relates to the grant, contracts, high quality instructional materials, costs related to professional development and training activities, and other expenses associated with implementing grant funded programming. Funds must be used as described in the Part III that is submitted to Moira Connolly in the Center for District and School Partnership.

Unallowable Expenditures:
Out-of-State travel, food, overhead or other facilities costs, current transportation costs or other currently funded costs, or any expenditures not directly related to grant activities.

Project Duration:

Upon Approval (no earlier than 7/1/2023)* – 6/30/2024

* Grant start date cannot be prior to DESE receiving a substantially approvable Application Submission as directed in this RFP's Submission Instructions. Goods and Services cannot be procured prior to Grants receiving and approving an application submission. Funds cannot exceed the project duration end date.

Program Unit:

Center for District and School Partnership

Contact:

Moira Connolly

Phone:

(617) 462-7175

Date Due:

Friday, June 9, 2023

Required Forms:

• Part I — General — Program Unit Signature Page — (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)

• Part III — Required Program Information — Grant Narrative

Additional Information:

• Appendix A — Reference in developing the Part III portion of the submission.

Submission Instructions:

Submit all required grant materials through EdGrants.

In EdGrants, districts are required to create and name the project. Please use the following naming convention for your "Applicant Project Name" in EdGrants:

FY24 117 Student Opportunity Act Evidence-Based Practice (Applicant Name)

All items listed under the required forms section of this RFP should be uploaded / attached in the Attachments List formlet of the Application Submission in EdGrants. This includes a signed / scanned PDF of Part I / Coversheet with Superintendent's signature as well as Schedule A form, if applicable to your district. The final budget the applicant is requesting will be entered directly into EdGrants as part of the application submission process.

For Guidance Documents regarding EdGrants, visit EdGrants: User Guides, Information and Trainings.

Please note: It is up to the district to determine who they want to add as EdGrants Front Office users in order to submit grant application as well as payment request information. Please review the EdGrants: User Security Controls to make informed decisions regarding assigning your district level users.

Last Updated: October 23, 2023