Special Education

Fund Code 274 FAQs - Special Education: Program Improvement Grant

The Special Education Planning and Policy Office (SEPP) is pleased to announce that the Fund Code 274 Special Education Program Improvement Grant is available for FY14 and grant application materials will be posted soon. The purpose of the federally funded Special Education: Program Improvement grant program is to fund professional development activities, aligned with the Massachusetts Standards for Professional Development, that will advance the knowledge, skills, and capacity of educators to meet the diverse needs of students with disabilities, ages three through 21, in order to support improved educational results and functional outcomes for these students. This year, the grant program will support district activities aligned with one or more of the performance and compliance Indicators reported in the Massachusetts Part B State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR).

FAQs

This year, the 274 RFP is completely revised, with a new focus. Why? All Massachusetts districts participate annually in data collection for IDEA Part B Indicators. This data collection provides an important opportunity for district self-reflection and often generates key insights on district policies, practices and procedures. In order to further encourage an integrated and meaningful cycle of improvement, the Department has aligned the 274 with the Part B Indicators. We ask districts to reflect on their Indicator data in order to select professional development activities that will promote improved outcomes for students with disabilities. Why is my district's allocation smaller than last year? Sequestration at the federal level has reduced the amount of federal grant dollars available. How many Indicators can I select? Each district may apply for professional development activities for up to two (2) Indicators. What types of activities should we be considering? Please review the Priorities section of the RFP found here: http://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/grants14/rfp/274.html. Other questions? Please contact Helen Skulski at 781-338-3379.



Last Updated: September 11, 2013



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