MA Innovation Schools Back-to-School Newsletter - September 2015
MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
IN THIS ISSUE
WELCOME BACK MESSAGE ................................................................................................................................... 1
FY16 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES ........................................................................................................................... 1
INNOVATION SCHOOLS ANNUAL CONVENING & NETWORK SURVEY ...................................................... 3
FY15 COMPETITIVE GRANT FUNDING OUTCOMES .......................................................................................... 3
HOUSEKEEPING ......................................................................................................................................................... 5
RESOURCES ................................................................................................................................................................ 5
CONTACT INFORMATION ....................................................................................................................................... 6
WELCOME BACK MESSAGE
We would like to begin this newsletter by taking the opportunity to thank all of you for your commitment
and dedication to the children of the Commonwealth. The beginning of a new school year is always a
great time to reflect on why we do this important work. Redesigning schools with the goal of establishing
the school conditions that lead to improved teaching and learning is important work and increases the
opportunities for students and families to access high quality public education.
If you have not already done so, please take a moment to review the Commissioner's Back-To-School
message. Additionally, we encourage you to read the Commissioner's Weekly Update which contains key
updates from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department). The
Commissioner’s Weekly Update is automatically sent to district superintendents and principals. If you do
not have a subscription and would like one, please send an email to imailsrv@list1.doe.mass.edu with the
following information in the body of the email: subscribe ESEUpdate Your Name. (Example: subscribe
ESEUpdate John Smith).
We wish your school community a successful 2015-2016 school year!
FY16 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
We are happy to report that the innovation schools line item (7061-9011) was included in the final version
of the FY16 state budget. The $736,898 will be used to support innovation school operators, school
districts, and applicant groups. Through strategic programmatic and fiscal decisions we plan to address
the evolving needs of the field as the initiative continues to grow. During FY16, the Department will
continue to issue Request for Proposals (RFPs) to support the planning and implementation of new or
conversion innovation school and academies.
FY16 Innovation Schools Planning Grant
The purpose of the planning grant is to support high-impact, in-depth school planning processes for new
and/or conversion innovation schools or academies, and former turnaround schools operating under exit
assurances seeking to retain autonomies through the innovation schools redesign model. The Department
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strongly encourages applicants to identify 1) a dedicated staff member who will be responsible for
coordinating all aspects of the innovation schools planning process and/or 2) an external partner with
demonstrated expertise related to the educational model and/or area to be implemented. Grant requests
should range between $50,000 and $100,000.
The RFP can be found at http://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/2016/156/.
Innovation Schools Planning Grant Important Dates and Information
Date
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Item
Technical Assistance Webinar (optional) 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The participant link is https://scopia1.doemass.org. Select “I am a
guest”, enter your name, and meeting ID 3100, then select
“Participate Now.” First-time users will be prompted to download
the Scopia Desktop Client. Due to limited phone ports, webinar
participants are strongly encouraged to participate via their devices
audio speakers/headsets/microphones.
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Intent to Apply Email by 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Send an email to sedmond@doe.mass.edu
Completed Grant Proposals.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015 through
Friday, November 20, 2015
Must be submitted and received by the Department by 5:00 p.m.
Applicant Interviews
All applicants will be required to participate in a panel interview at
the Department. The lead applicant, district superintendent or
designee, and members of the district leadership team (as
appropriate), must be in attendance.
FY16 Innovation Schools Implementation Grant RFP
The purpose of the Innovation Schools Implementation Grant is to provide district and schools support for
the implementation of approved innovation plans during the 2015-2016 academic year. Grant requests
should range between $50,000 and $75,000.
The RFP can be found at http://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/2016/157/.
Innovation Schools Implementation Grant Important Dates and Information
Date
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Item
Office Hours: 3:00 p.m. -4:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Perspective applicants will have an opportunity to have their specific grant related
inquiries addressed. Please contact Shay Edmond at 781-338-3217 or
sedmond@doe.mass.edu
Intent to Apply Email by 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Send an email to sedmond@doe.mass.edu
Completed Grant Proposals by 5:00 p.m.
Must be submitted and received by the Department by 5:00 p.m.
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Please contact Shay Edmond at sedmond@doe.mass.edu for any questions related to these grant
opportunities.
INNOVATION SCHOOLS ANNUAL CONVENING & NETWORK SURVEY
2015 Innovation Schools Annual Convening
Thank you for participating in the 2015 annual convening webinar. Due to the numerous weather related
interruptions, the format of the annual convening was changed to that of a webinar. The webinar
highlighted the ways in which the innovation schools redesign model supports the goals of the
Department and provided a detailed overview of the innovation schools renewal process. Thank you to
Senior Associate Commissioner Russell Johnston, Associate Commissioner Cliff Chuang, and Assistant
Director Ruth Hersh for participating. A copy of the presentation was emailed to registered participants
and a copy will be posted at http://www.doe.mass.edu/redesign/innovation/?section=news.
Innovation Schools Network and Fall Convening Survey
The Innovation Schools Network (ISN) was launched in 2012 by the Executive Office of Education
(EOE) as a means to bring together innovation school educators, stakeholders, planners, and partners
across the state to share best practices. In the final newsletter of the 2014-2015 school year we indicated
that we would survey the field determine interest and solicit input for 2015-2016 network events.
Additionally, we are interested in determining the level of interest in holding an in-person convening this
fall.
Please go to http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/2289612/Innovation-Schools-Network-and-Potential-InPerson-Fall-Convening to access and complete the survey. The survey should take less than 5 minutes.
We kindly ask that that all participants complete the survey by Wednesday, September 30, 2015. Your
input is invaluable and will help to ensure that network events are relevant and useful. Please feel free to
contact Shay Edmond at sedmond@doe.mass.edu with any questions.
FY15 COMPETITIVE GRANT FUNDING OUTCOMES
FY15 Innovation Schools Partnership Planning Grant
In FY15, the Department awarded a total of $223,425 in partnership planning grant awards to three school
districts to provide in-depth support for new and/or conversion school planning processes that are
intended to result in break-the-mold innovation schools or academies. It was the expectation of the
Department that grant awardees would facilitate the innovation schools approval process culminating with
approved Innovation Plans by June 30, 2015. We are happy to report that two of three grant recipients
successfully completed the innovation schools approval process, and the third is in process.
Partnership Planning Grant Recipient List
Amesbury Public Schools (Amesbury Academy Innovation School 9-12)
Amount
$75,000
Brockton Public Schools (International School of Brockton K-5)
73,425
Wareham Public Schools (Academy for Innovators and Entrepreneurs 9-12)
75,000
Total State Funds
$223,425
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FY15 Innovation Schools Implementation Grant
In FY15, the Department awarded a total of $194,956 in implementation grant awards to two school
districts to support the implementation of eight innovation schools and academies. Grant funds were used
to support high quality professional development, the acquisition of curricular materials, and development
of new curriculum units, all of which were informed by the recipients’ measurable annual goals. Grant
awards ranged from $15,000 to $30,000 (per school site) and benefited approximately 2,345 students in
grades PK-12.
Implementation Grant Recipient List
Amount
Boston Public Schools (John F. Kennedy Innovation School K1-5)
$30,000
Pentucket Regional School District
164,956
(Design & Engineering Academy @ Dr. Elmer S. Bagnall School-PK-6)
(Design & Engineering Academy @ John C. Page School- PK-6)
(The Merrimac School (IB) at the Dr. Frederick N. Sweetsir School-PK-2)
(The Merrimac School at the Helen R. Donaghue School-3-6)
(The Pentucket Academy of Movement Science & Athletics @ Pentucket Regional MS and HS7-12)
(The Pentucket Arts Academy @ Pentucket Regional MS and HS-7-12)
(The Pentucket Safety & Public Service Academy @ Pentucket Regional MS and HS-7-12)
Total State Funds
$194,956
FY15 Innovation Schools Enhancement and Sustainability Grant
In FY15, the Department awarded a total of $229,772 to seven school districts to support the enhanced
implementation of ten innovation schools and academies. Grant funds were used to support the enhanced
implementation of established Innovation Plans by focusing on innovation school measurable annual
goals and demonstrating how they were used to inform key organizational decisions. Grant awards ranged
from $14,996 to $30,000 (per school site) and benefited approximately 2,500 students in grades PK-12.
Enhancement and Sustainability Grant Recipient List
Amount
Auburn Public Schools (STEM Academy for Middle School Engineers 6-8)
$14,370
Boston Public Schools (Blackstone Elementary School PK-6)
28,748
New Bedford Public Schools (Renaissance Community School for the Arts PK-3)
28,748
Quabbin Regional School District (The IB School 11-12)
14,374
Quaboag Regional School District (Innovation Early College 9-12; Warren Community Elementary K-5)
43,122
West Springfield Public Schools (21st Century Skills Academy 9-12)
28,538
Worcester Public Schools (Goddard School; University Park; Worcester East Middle)
71,872
Total State Funds
$229,772
FY15 Innovation Schools Fellowship
In FY15 the Department awarded a total of $225,000 to three school districts to provide support for the
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cultivation of break the mold innovation schools. The Fellowship supported three dedicated staff
members while they participated in an in-depth, yearlong new or conversion innovation school
development planning process. We are happy to report that two of the three grant recipients successfully
completed the innovation schools approval process.
Fellowship Grant Recipient List
Amount
Hudson Public Schools
$75,000
Malden Public Schools
75,000
Worcester Public Schools
75,000
Total State Funds
$225,000
HOUSEKEEPING
FY15 Grant Funds Closeout Information
The project duration for all FY15 fund codes concluded on June 30, 2015. All grant recipients were
required to submit a Final Financial Form (FR1) to the Department no later than 60 days from the end of
the grant program. If you have not yet completed this process, all grant contacts are encouraged to work
with your budget offices as soon as possible to submit this required report. The link to the Department’s
Grants Management Procedural Manual, Section IV, and Final Reporting Process is included for your
reference http://finance1.doe.mass.edu/grants/procedure/manual.html#iv-c. Please contact Shay Edmond
should you have any questions.
Innovation Schools Coding
As many of you may know, the Department began providing each approved innovation school (new and
conversion) and academy with a specific program code in the Student Information Management System
(SIMS) to collect demographic and achievement data for students enrolled through a systematic process.
This new streamlined approach allowed the Department to create an “Innovation Schools and Academies”
drop down option on the Department’s School and District Profile page which allows individuals to
search for innovation schools and academies in one centralized location. Please keep in mind that the
Department’s ability to collect data specific to innovation school students does not change the reporting
structure for districtwide or schoolwide reporting. If you have not already done so, please complete the
“Notification of a New Public School” form which can be found at
http://www.doe.mass.edu/infoservices/data/diradmin/. All completed forms must be faxed to the
Department’s office of Education Data Services, to the attention of Kerrie Anastas. Submission
instructions are included on the form.
RESOURCES
We would like to take a moment to highlight some of the resources available on the Department’s
website. We hope that you find the resources highlighted below to be of value.
1. Professional Development: In response to valuable feedback from the field, the Department
created a webpage dedicated to provide resources and information related to high-quality
professional development. To access the professional development webpage, please go to
http://www.doe.mass.edu/pd/. Please contact profdev@doe.mass.edu with any questions related
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to Department sponsored professional development opportunities or to inquire about the
information contained on the webpage.
2. Curriculum and Instruction: The Department’s Curriculum and instruction page,
http://www.doe.mass.edu/candi/ provides educators with a wealth of resources related to common
core state standards, model curriculum units, and the MA tiered system of support. In addition to
providing the field with valuable curriculum and instruction resources, this webpage also contains
information for the Annual Fall Convening (formerly known as the Summit on Curriculum,
Instruction, and Assessment) scheduled for October 27th and 28th, 2015. While registration
information will be sent directly to superintendents, collaborative and charter school leaders in
mid-September, please visit the curriculum and instruction webpage for updates.
3. Budget Autonomy: The budget autonomy paper on the innovation schools website provides
district and school leaders with guidance to assist in the development of systems and structures
needed for in-district autonomous schools to implement budget autonomy. The information
contained in this paper is not meant as a prescription; rather, it is to be used as a tool to assist
district and school leaders to communicate about and set clear expectations regarding budget
autonomy and its implementation. The paper can be found at:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/redesign/innovation/BudgetAutonomy.pdf.
4. Special Education Paraprofessionals: The Department’s Office of Special Education Planning
and Policy will be holding a one-day workshop titled “Paraprofessionals: Moving Forward to
Support Student Success.” This one-day workshop will provide special education
paraprofessionals with opportunities to explore their challenging roles, consider the
characteristics of the learners they support, and examine optimal strategies for supporting
students. For more information please contact viviani@doe.mass.edu or agreen@doe.mass.edu.
5. School Turnaround: The Department’s Office of District and School Turnaround coordinates
the Department’s coordinates the Department’s work to build partnership within the lowest
performing districts and schools to support student achievement. Their website contains several
reports on strategies to improve student achievement as well as a video series on turnaround
practices in achievement gain schools. Please go to
http://www.doe.mass.edu/apa/sss/turnaround/default.html to access the reports and video series.
CONTACT INFORMATION
We wish you all well, and look forward to an exciting and productive school year. We hope that you find
the information contained in this newsletter helpful. As always, should you have any questions or need
any assistance please feel free to contact us at:
 Shay Edmond, Innovation Schools Specialist, sedmond@doe.mass.edu / (781) 338-3217
 Ruth Hersh, Assistant Director, rhersh@doe.mass.edu / (781) 338-3222
 Cliff Chuang, Associate Commissioner, cchuang@doe.mass.edu / (781) 338-3222
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