Name of Grant Program: Innovation Schools Planning Grant
Fund Code: 156
Part III: Required Program Information
A completed Part III is required for each innovation schools planning grant application.
Please indicate Yes/No for priority areas A and B below. Based on a review of all required documents,
the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) will determine whether the
application meets at least one of the key design areas outlined in priority C. Please refer to the RFP for
the list and description of the key design areas.
A. Propose schools in Level 3, Level 4, or Level 5 district? Massachusetts’ district and school accountability and
assistance system
Indicate Yes/No:___________
B. Propose to convert an existing Level 3 school or a school that has exited from Level 4.
Indicate Yes/No: ____________
C. Propose a school that is fundamentally designed to implement an educational model that focuses on at least
one of the key design areas:
1. Blended and/or Personalized Learning: Yes/No_________
2. Emphasis on English Language Learners or Design an Inclusion Model for Students with Disabilities:
Yes/No__________
3. Wraparound Zones: Yes/No_________
4. Redesigning Teacher and Student Time: Yes/No__________
Part III: Required Program Information-Description of Fund Use
The description of fund use must address each of the areas below in a separate Word document that is
no more than 5-7 pages in length.
1.
Describe the purpose for seeking innovation schools planning grant funds.
2.
Describe the need(s) identified by the district, and how innovation status is expected to assist with
addressing the identified need(s).
3.
Describe why the autonomies included in the approved prospectus were selected, and how they are
expected to address the need(s) identified.
4.
Describe how grant funds will be used to support the in-depth, new or conversion innovation school
development planning process, and how the district will determine the effectiveness of the use of
funds.
5.
Describe anticipated challenges to the new or conversion innovation school planning process, and
how they will be addressed.
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6.
If applicable, please describe the process used to identify a dedicated staff member who will
responsible for coordinating all aspects of the new or conversion innovation school planning process.
7.
If applicable, please describe the process used to identify an external partner with demonstrated
expertise related to one of the four key design areas, and how they will support the new or
conversion innovation school planning process. Please refer to the RFP for the list and description
of the key design areas.
District Superintendent Letter of Support
The Department expects that the innovation schools planning grant will facilitate the innovation school
approval process, culminating with an approved Innovation Plan by June 30, 2016. For detailed
information related to the innovation schools approval process, please review the Innovation Schools
Statute. The letter of support from the district superintendent provides the Department with the
confidence that the district fully supports the submission of this grant application, and understands the
expectations of participation set forth by the Department.
The letter of support must be submitted in a separate word document and include the original signature
of the district superintendent.
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