Name of Grant Program: Academic Support Services Allocation Grant Program Fund Code: 632 (School Year) 625 (Summer) FY2013 DISTRICT/VENDOR GUIDELINES FOR USE OF ACADEMIC SUPPORT FUNDS INTRODUCTION The focus of the Academic Support grants administered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is on improving teaching and learning. When looked at in this light, grant services can make a difference in the lives of students and teachers. School officials are accountable for demonstrating that the dollars spent are being used effectively. The Department’s Academic Support programs were developed to enhance the learning opportunities for students with the greatest need for instructional support. For the past decade, districts have planned and implemented programs to meet the gaps in knowledge for those students with the greatest need. The need to meet the Competency Determination for students in the classes of 20032017 is of particular concern to districts. One issue facing many districts/schools/collaboratives is the difficulty in finding qualified staff for their Academic Support programs and consequently, support from outside vendors may be the best, or only, option. In many situations, the students most in need of services have specific deficits in their content knowledge. Therefore, the individualization of instruction rather than a one size fits all approach is paramount. To assist you in this process, the Learning Support Services Unit has provided the following chart that outlines expectations for both schools/collaboratives and vendors. SCHOOL 1. Prior to contracting with the vendor, school personnel have identified the individual areas of content need for each student. For students with disabilities or for limited English proficient students, the school has ensured that the vendor staff who will be working with their students has expertise in these areas. 2. Students are grouped according to their instructional needs as identified in their Educational Proficiency Plans (EPPs). 3. Clear expectations of the results from the program are established. 4. Due to confidentiality issues, the district/ school has appointed a person from its staff to handle the program data. 5. The district/school has designated a person from its staff to document individual student progress on EPPs as a result of the program. 6. The district/school has ensured proper supervision of vendor staff. VENDOR 1. Meets with the school liaison to become familiar with the school environment. 2. Analyzes individual areas of need as indicated by the school. 3. Designs an instructional program that is targeted to meet the individual student needs as identified in EPPs, rather than move all students through the same curriculum; embeds test-taking skills in content instruction rather than presenting them in isolation. 4. Provides a description of the qualifications of the specific staff person(s) who will be delivering instruction. Qualifications should include specific state licenses, not simply licensure to teach the proposed vendor-designed program. 5. Provides evidence of the ability to address alternative learning styles (e.g., learning through manipulatives, and other alternative styles). 6. Establishes a communication loop with school staff, which should include a specific schedule of meetings that will take place during which the vendor will update the school on student progress. 7. At least every three weeks, provides written individual documentation of student progress to be included in the next update of EPPs. Name of Grant Program: Academic Support Services Allocation Grant Program Fund Code: 632 (School Year) 625 (Summer) BUDGET GUIDELINES 1. There is a $100/hour and $750/day limit for consultants. This limit applies to vendor consultants contracted to provide training or professional development. 2. Not more than 25 percent of the total amount of funding available to the district may be budgeted for supplies plus any contractual services for licenses related to computer software. 3. Not more than 15 percent of the total amount to the district may be used for program coordination costs (stipends for a program coordinator, bookkeeper, secretary, evaluator, etc.). Programs must supplement currently funded local, state, and federal programs at the school or district. FINAL NOTES Recognizing the difficulty of the task of planning and implementing effective supplementary educational programs, we ask you to examine sustainability when considering a vendor. In your discussions with potential vendors, consider the following questions: 1. What service can they provide that is more beneficial than current school staff could provide? 2. How will they adapt their programs to target established areas of student need, rather than deliver a brief overview of all framework learning standards? 3. How is time allocated (and in what percentages) to provide opportunities for direct instruction, technology, and personal/social interactions? 4. What data can they provide that indicate they have proven effectiveness with your specific population of students (including age, grade, learning needs, learning styles, etc.)? 5. How well does their material address the needs of students with disabilities or students who are limited English proficient? 6. What academic expectations do they have for the students they are being contracted to serve? 7. What are the qualifications of the specific staff who will provide instruction to your students? Are they state licensed and have significant prior experience with students? Is their licensure limited to the vendordesigned programs? 8. How will they work with school staff to navigate the confidentiality issues associated with MCAS results and other confidential pieces of information? 9. Who from the district/school will take responsibility for handling the program data requirements and other program elements that involve confidential information?