FY2020: Digital Literacy Now Grant — Middle Grades (6–8)

Fund Code: 152

Purpose:

The purpose of this new state competitive grant is to establish and promote rigorous, engaging, and standards aligned digital literacy and computer science education in public schools in kindergarten through grade 12. The first cohort of this grant will focus on middle grades (6–8) DLCS implementation.

School districts are the unit of change toward creating rigorous, inclusive and sustainable K-12 digital literacy and computer science education. Through this grant, District Teams of district administrators, school leaders, and educators will engage in an in-depth, facilitated process to develop a Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) implementation plan for their District, select DLCS curriculum for SY2021, and complete DLCS educator and coach curriculum Professional Development (PD) for delivery in SY2021.

Priorities:

Supports the creation of new programs and/or expanding existing programs to serve more students most underserved (including but not limited to students designated as economically disadvantaged, English language learners, special education, underrepresented minorities, and living in rural areas).

Eligibility:

Massachusetts public school districts are eligible to apply for funding.

Funding Type:

State

Funding:

Approximately $590,000 is available through the state Digital Literacy Now Grants line item 7010-1202.

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.

The initial level of funding could change during the year based on changes in the awarded program (e.g. scope, course, follow-up activities, number of participants, or number of course(s)). The grant budget may be amended up or down to reflect the program changes. Grant recipients are required to contact the program liaison to discuss any proposed change to the awarded program.

Fund Use:

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 Center for Instructional Support Office/STEM.

1. Funds may be used to support DLCS professional development and purchase selected curriculum.

   For planning purposes an estimate of $1,800 per selected DLCS teacher and a support coach, is recommended. These funds will be used by the Grant selected PD Coordinator to acquire District selected curriculum, schedule curriculum PD, and manage payments to curriculum providers, PD providers, and educator stipends/expenses. After the curriculum is selected the budget may be amended, as needed, pending funding availability.

2. Funds may be used for substitutes and expenses for planning and program dissemination.

   Substitute reimbursements and expenses for the District Team (6 Days or 4 days if your District has already developed a DLCS Implementation Plan through the SCRIPT process).

   Substitute reimbursements and expenses for Year 1 Convening in June (1 Day)

Note: Grant funds may not be allocated to pay for both a participant's: graduate credit tuition and a stipend; or substitute reimbursement and a stipend. Grant funding may be used for stipends for work outside of school hours.

Project Duration:

Upon Approval – 6/30/2020*

*Year 1 funding may also carry over the summer (7/1/2020–8/31/2020) pending Legislative approval, submitting all required documents, and successful utilization of prior funding.

Funding may also continue in Year 2 (FY21) and Year 3 (FY22) pending state budget appropriation, submitting of all required documents and successful utilization of prior funding, and awarding of funds after a continuation grant process.

Program Unit:

Center for Instructional Support Office/STEM

Contact:

Anne DeMallie

Phone Number:

(781) 338-3527

Date Due:

Friday, December 20, 2019

Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the date due.

Required Forms:

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

Part II — Budget Workbook

Part III — Required Program Information

Additional Information:

• Due to the competitive nature of this grant program, all questions about the Funding Opportunity documents and process will be addressed on our website. Any questions must be emailed to ademallie@doe.mass.edu (with the subject: FC 152 Question)
  • FC152 Questions and Answers (Added 11/27/19; Updated 12/6/19)
  
  
• The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education grant expects recipients to share a description of the outcomes of the grant and products as requested to expand the impact of the grant.
• A grant-end report on the funded activities and outcomes of the program(s), including a section specifically on lessons learned that could be shared with others, is due to the Department by August 31, 2020.
• For Grant Management processes, including the Request for Funds, information about requesting funds beyond the initial payment, and additional details on managing your grant, see this webpage: EdGrants: User Guides and Information

Submission Instructions:

Email one (1) complete set of all required documents, in their original Word or Excel formats (i.e., not converted to a PDF) to ademallie@doe.mass.edu with "FY20 Digital Literacy Now Application" in the subject line; and submit two (2) complete sets of all required documents with original signatures on Part I to:

Anne DeMallie
Science, Technology/Engineering, and Mathematics
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906

Upon award, recipients will be required to enter the approved budget in EdGrants and upload required documents. Once selected, grant recipients will be contacted with further instructions on the process.

Last Updated: November 19, 2019