FY2021: Digital Literacy Now Grant Part 1 — Year 2

Fund Code: 152-A

Purpose:

The purpose of this state continuation 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. This Year 2 grant will focus on expanding Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) to additional grades and/or schools within the district.

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 review and revise the District's Year 1 DLCS implementation plan for their District.
• Select DLCS curriculum for SY2022
• Plan for DLCS educator and coach curriculum Professional Development (PD) during July and August 2021 for delivery in SY2022 (note: the funding for this PD is included in Digital Literacy Now Continuation Grant Part 2).

Priorities:

Supports the creation of new programs and/or expanding existing programs to serve more students who are the 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 which received funding for the first cohort in FY2020 (Fund Code 152) are eligible to apply for an FY2021 continuation grant to continue their work.

Funding Type:

State

Funding:

Approximately $145,800 is available for continuing districts 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.

Approximately $243,000 of additional funding for curriculum PD during July and August of 2021 will be available through Digital Literacy Now Continuation Grant Part 2.

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 for substitutes and expenses for planning and program dissemination. Substitute reimbursements and expenses for the District Team for 3 day-long meetings during the school year:
   1. 1 day for DLCS Implementation Plan follow-up.
   2. 1 day for data review / gap analysis.
   3. 1 day for PD planning for the new grade level(s) and/or new school(s).
2. Funds may be used for stipends/salary for the District Team Point of Contact. The District Team Point of Contact maintains the plan and other grant artifacts in an accessible location, collects and reports data, and manages communication with DESE, the Grant Evaluator, and the PD Coordinator. For this role, plan for 1–2 hours/month.

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 through 6/30/2021
Grants to purchase selected curriculum and for summer DLCS educator and coach curriculum PD from 7/1/2021 through 8/31/2021 will be offered through the Digital Literacy Now Continuation Grant Part 2.

Funding may also continue in Year 3 (Upon Approval – 6/30/2022 & 7/1/2022 – 8/31/2022) pending state budget appropriation, submitting of all required documents and successful utilization of prior funding, and awarding of funds after a continuation grant process. In Year 3, only prior Digital Literacy Now grant recipients will be eligible for the continuation grant.

Program Unit:

Center for Instructional Support Office/STEM

Contact:

Paula Moore

Date Due:

Friday, February 19, 2021

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) — Submit as a PDF with the original signature of the Superintendent.

Part II — Budget Detail Pages Workbook (Please Reference Budget Instructions and Details before completing the FY2021 Budget Workbook) — Submit in Excel format.

Part III — Required Program Information — Submit in Word format.

Additional Information:

• 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 June 30, 2021.
• 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, Information and Trainings.
• Districts submitting a budget with an Indirect Cost Rate must use "Indirect Cost District Rates 2021.xlsx" to confirm the maximum FY2021 approved indirect cost rate allowed and must fill out "Indirect Cost Rate Calculation Worksheet.xlsx".

Submission Instructions:

Email one (1) complete set of all required documents to paula.b.moore@mass.gov with "FY21 Digital Literacy Now Continuation" in the subject line; and submit one (1) complete set of all required documents with original signatures on Part I to:

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

Applicants will receive a confirmation when the materials are received. Early submission is strongly encouraged to ensure the complete application is received and confirmed by 5:00 pm on the due date.

Once the continuation grant has been approved by Department program staff, grantees must 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:

FY21 FC152A Digital Literacy Now (Applicant Name)

All required forms should be uploaded / attached in the Attachments List form of the Application Submission. This includes a signed / scanned PDF of Part I Signature Page with Superintendent's signature and Addendum B with required signatures. 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 applicant 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: January 21, 2021