The purpose of this competitive grant is to further work toward closing persistent disparities in achievement among specific student groups, improve educational opportunities for all students, share best practices for improving instruction, and support efficiencies within and across school districts (Student Opportunity Act, 21st Century Education Program, Section 16A ).
This competitive grant is designed to support districts that, over the course of three years, have demonstrated notable progress in closing persistent disparities through the strategic implementation of a selected evidence-based practice (EBP). The grant will support ongoing efforts in awarded districts to implement exemplary models in the areas of Early Literacy or Co-Teaching and Inclusion and advance their work in closing disparities in the learning experiences of their least well-served student group(s). This grant will support districts to continue to scale their work in these EBPs.
Eligible districts will propose plans that are aligned with the EBP selected at the onset of the original grant (FY23). Plans must track the progress of the student group(s) they have identified previously as student group(s) experiencing the greatest disparities in outcomes and learning experiences.
Successful applicants of this competitive grant must show demonstrated success supported by triangulated data of effective implementation of their selected EBP that has resulted in positive outcomes and gap-narrowing for their least well-served student group(s). Additionally, grantees agree to participate in any evaluation activities as communicated by the Department.
Competitive priority will be given to districts and schools in the strategic transformation region.
Recipients of the FY23 Student Opportunity Act Evidence-Based Practice Grant (Fund Codes 117/225B) whose grant activities focused on building strong practices in the areas of Early Literacy and Co-Teaching and Inclusion are eligible to apply for this competitive grant.
Eligible District in Area of Early Literacy:
Eligible Districts in Area of Co-Teaching and Inclusion:
Trust 7010-2100
The receipt of grant funds is contingent upon the grantee being able to certify that it will comply with the Massachusetts General Laws, including G.L. c. 40A, § 3A, the MBTA Communities Act. Compliance with the MBTA Communities Act is determined by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.
Approximately $1,000,000 is available. Award amounts will likely range from $100,000 – $150,000 per district depending on appropriate scope of plan and its potential for long-term success.
This RFP is the governing document for these grant funds.
Funding is contingent upon availability/appropriations. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change.
Funding is provided through the Student Opportunity Act, 21st Century Education Program .
Due to the expectation that this grant has already supported the purchase of high-quality curriculum, coupled with the anticipated availability of other funding opportunities to support Early Literacy and no-cost professional development offerings hosted by the Department, some fund use restrictions will be placed on districts applying for this grant under Early Literacy (see Early Literacy Fund Use). We are also imposing a spending cap of $25,000 for instructional materials for those implementing Early Literacy.
Co-Teaching and Inclusion: Funds may be used to support programming costs including staff salaries, stipends, staff planning time as it relates to the grant, contracts, high-quality instructional materials, costs related to professional development and training activities, and other expenses associated with implementing grant funded programming. Funds must be used as described in the district submitted narrative.
Co-Teaching and Inclusion Unallowable Expenditures: Out-of-State travel, food, overhead or other facilities costs, current transportation costs or other currently funded costs, or any expenditures not directly related to grant activities.
Early Literacy: Funds may be used to support programming costs including staff salaries, stipends, staff planning time as it relates to the grant, curriculum specific professional development and supplementary training activities, supplemental curriculum materials, and other expenses associated with implementing grant funded programming. Funds must be used as described in the district submitted narrative.
Early Literacy Unallowable Expenditures: Out-of-State travel, food, overhead or other facilities costs, current transportation costs or other currently funded costs, or any expenditures not directly related to grant activities. Only supplemental curriculum materials are allowed on this grant.
Upon Approval (No Earlier than July 1, 2025) – June 30, 2026
Funds cannot exceed the project duration end date.
Center for School and District Partnership
Moira Connolly, Moira.Connolly@mass.gov ; 781-338-3525
Friday, June 6, 2025
Proposals must be received at the Department by 5 p.m. Eastern on the date due.
Competitive grant applications are considered submitted when the grant application is submitted by the Superintendent or their designee through the "LEA Superintendent / Chief Executive Approved" step in GEM$. In order to be considered for competitive funding, applicants must submit a grant application through the LEA Superintendent Approved stage by the due date and time listed in the RFP.
All responses must be submitted through proper steps and received by the due date/time listed above. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. Responses not received on time will not be reviewed. Applicants applying after the due date may be notified their application was received late and will not be reviewed. Applications must be submitted as directed in the Submissions Instructions below. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. If you need assistance with submitting your application, please reach out to the contact person listed on this funding opportunity.
Early Literacy Universal Screening: LEAs receiving this award for ELA/Literacy will be required to participate in research efforts, including providing student-level assessment data from the approved early literacy screening assessment that is administered in all schools during the award period. DESE will request that data be submitted by June 30 of each year awarded. DESE will analyze the statewide data collected for research purposes, including evaluation of this program. Analyses will comply with state and federal confidentiality laws.
The FY26 0117 Student Opportunity Act Evidence-Based Practice Grant will be submitted in our new GEM$ system. GEM$ is a cloud-based fiscal and program management grant system that will eventually phase out the use of EdGrants.
Grants for Education Management System (GEM$)
New organizations that do not have an established LEA with DESE skip to Step 3.
Step 1: Establish and assign proper roles before the grant due date/time. Grant Submission at the LEA level requires roles to be established for Grant writer for the specific fund code, LEA fiscal for financial review/approval, and Superintendent/Chief Executive sign off.
All roles should be established prior to the grant due date and all appropriate forms should be either uploaded to GEM$, maintained at the LEA level or sent in to the DESE RFP contact as described on the individual forms. The user guidance documents and forms are found on the GEM$ homepage under DESE Resources. These forms can be accessed without logging in to the system.
Step 2: Submit the grant through all LEA steps in GEM$. There are three LEA steps a competitive grant must be submitted through by the due date and time to be considered for funding:
Competitive grant applications are considered submitted once the grant application is submitted by the Superintendent or their designee through the "LEA Superintendent / Chief Executive Approved" step in GEM$. In order to be considered for competitive funding, applicants must submit a grant application through the "LEA Superintendent / Chief Executive Approved" stage by the due date and time listed in the RFP. Please plan accordingly.
The "LEA Superintendent / Chief Executive Approved" step allows for the organization lead to review and approve the grant application. Removing the requirement for the Part I Standard Contract Form, this step signifies Superintendent /Chief Executive sign off. Any grant budget changes requiring signature, will re-execute this step when amended signifying the organization lead is approving these changes.
Step 3: (If applicable) New organizations request temporary organization access. New organizations are entities that have not been established as an LEA in GEM$. Entities that do not have an organization established in GEM$ must contact the DESE Program Unit issuing this grant at a minimum 5 business days prior to the grant due date for temporary organization access.
Temporary Access will need to be created by DESE before you can then assign the proper roles and submit the grant as outlined in Steps 1 and 2.
Failure to provide DESE with GEM$ Temp Organization Access Request at least 5 business days prior to the due date may result in not meeting the submission due date listed above. DESE cannot accept or review applications after the due date.
Last Updated: April 29, 2025