MA Innovation Schools Newsletter - October 2014
MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
IN THIS ISSUE
Welcome Back Message
2013-14 Highlights
FY14 Contracted Innovation School Projects
Innovation Schools Fellowship
2014-15 Programmatic Priorities
FY15 Fiscal Priorities & Funding Opportunities
Contact Information
WELCOME BACK MESSAGE
As we begin another new school year, we would like to thank all of you for the work you do each day to
provide students in Massachusetts with high quality educational experiences. The beginning of the school
year is always an excellent time to highlight why we do this important work. The purpose of innovation
schools is to improve school performance and student achievement, by creating in-district schools that
operate with increased autonomy and flexibilities in six key areas: schedule and school year calendar;
curriculum, instruction, and assessment; district policies; budget; staffing; and professional development,
with the goal of establishing the school conditions that lead to improved teaching and learning.
The 2014-2015 school year begins with a total of 54 approved innovation schools and academies across
the Commonwealth serving approximately 21,000 students in 26 school districts. These figures reflect the
continued interest in the initiative as demonstrated by the thirteen additional innovation schools and
academies approved during the 2013-2014 academic year.
If you haven’t already, please take some time to review the Commissioner’s Back-To-School message.
We encourage you to keep abreast of key updates from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education (Department) by reading the Commissioner’s Weekly Message each Friday. Best
wishes for a great 2014-2015.
IMPORTANT DATES
Item
Innovation Schools Partnership Planning Grant
Innovation Schools Implementation Grant
Innovation Schools Enhancement and
Sustainability Grant
Due Date
11/7/14
10/24/14
10/24/14
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2013-14 HIGHLIGHTS
2014 Innovation Schools Annual Convening
Thank you for attending the 2014 annual convening and making it a success. The convening was intended
to provide innovation school educators and supporters with the opportunity to network, share ideas, gain
additional knowledge regarding specific topic areas, and share best practices. We hope that by attending
the convening, participants were able to return to their schools and districts with additional knowledge
that will enhance the implementation of their innovation plans.
Innovation Schools Legislative Report
We are happy to announce that the FY14 Report to the Legislature-Implementation and Fiscal Impact of
Innovation Schools is complete. The innovation schools statute requires that the Department submit a
report annually to the Massachusetts legislature. The report provides the Board of Elementary and
Secondary Education and state legislators with an overview of the school redesign model and update on
state level support. Notification will be provided to the field once the report is posted.
Innovation Schools Coding
Last year the Department began providing each approved innovation school (new and conversion) and
innovation 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.
FY14 CONTRACTED INNOVATION SCHOOL PROJECTS
In an effort to capitalize on the successes of innovation schools to date, as well as to understand and
support areas of need, the Department, in collaboration with Executive Office of Education (EOE),
recently contracted with WestEd and the District Management Council to research the degree to which
autonomies and flexibilities granted to innovation schools are implemented and to determine the
structures that are necessary to successfully implement them.
Innovation Schools Autonomies and Flexibilities Analysis and Case Study Project
The primary purpose of the project was to provide the state and the field with an increased understanding
of the autonomies and flexibilities that have been authorized to date and the degree to which they are
being implemented. This comprehensive project resulted in an) online searchable database of innovation
school autonomies and three case studies in the areas of schedule and calendar, evolving governance, and
high district support and implementation.
Thank you to everyone who participated, as your participation helped to make this project a success. The
three case studies will posted to the innovation schools webpage. We are currently in the process of
including the searchable database on the innovation schools webpage and expect to have this complete by
the end of the month. To access the database, please visit the innovation schools webpage.
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Innovation Schools District-Level Implementation Analysis Project
The primary purpose of the project was to provide school district superintendents and district level staff
with specific guidance to support the continued implementation of budget and staffing autonomies. The
Department, in collaboration with EOE, is currently in the process of finalizing the guidance and plans to
share later in the fall of 2014. In the meanwhile, if you district is in need of technical assistance in these
areas, please contact Shay Edmond at sedmond@doe.mass.edu or (781) 338-3217.
FY14 COMPETITIVE GRANT FUNDING OUTCOMES
FY14 Innovation Schools Planning Grant
In FY14, the Department awarded a total of $90,000 in planning grant awards to four school districts to
support the planning processes of nine prospective innovation schools and academies. Planning activities
supported the innovation plan committee and all applicable stakeholders through the allocation of
educator stipends to participate in the development of the innovation plan, as well as to pay for
curriculum development and design and consultant services. We are happy to report that the four districts
authorized a combined total of nine innovation schools and academies and will serve approximately 3,084
students in grades PK-12.
Planning Grant Recipient List
Auburn Public Schools (Auburn High School's 21st Century Skills Academy- 9)
Amount
$10,000
Boston Public Schools (Dorchester Arts and Business Academy 9-12)
10,000
Boston Public Schools (Dr. William Henderson K-12 Inclusion Innovation School)
10,000
Pentucket Regional School District (The Merrimac School PK-6)
10,000
Pentucket Regional School District (The Pentucket Academy of Movement Science & Athletics 7-12)
10,000
Pentucket Regional School District (The Pentucket Arts Academy 7-12)
10,000
Pentucket Regional School District (The Pentucket Design and Engineering Academy 1-6)
10,000
Pentucket Regional School District (The Pentucket Safety and Public Service Academy 7-12)
10,000
Wareham Public Schools (Wareham Middle School STEAM Academy 6-8)
10,000
Total State Funds
$90,000
FY14 Innovation Schools Implementation Grant
In FY14, the Department awarded a total of $101,426 in implementation grant awards to two school
districts to support the implementation of four innovation schools. Funds were used to acquire curricular
and instructional materials aligned to the goals of the innovation plans and also supported targeted
professional development for innovation school teachers and staff. Grant awards ranged from $20,421 to
$30,000 and benefited approximately 1,046 students in grades PK-6, and 11-12.
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Implementation Grant Recipient List
New Bedford Public Schools (Renaissance Community School for the Arts PK-5)
Amount
$30,000
Quabbin Regional School District (International Baccalaureate School of Quabbin 11-12)
30,000
Quaboag Regional School District (Warren Community Elementary Innovation School PK-6)
21,005
Quaboag Regional School District (West Brookfield Elementary Innovation School PK-6)
20,421
Total State Funds
$101,426
FY14 Innovation Schools Enhancement and Sustainability Grant
In FY14, the Department awarded a total of $494,240 to ten school districts to support the enhanced
implementation of seventeen innovation schools and academies. The grant supported the enhanced
implementation of identified autonomies and flexibilities and supported the planning needed to embed
professional development time into the schedule and calendar. Grant awards ranged from $19,840$30,000, and benefited approximately 8,716 students in grades PK-12.
Enhancement and Sustainability Grant Recipient List
Boston Public Schools (Eliot Elementary School PK-8)
Amount
$30,000
Boston Public Schools (Madison Park Technical High School 9-12)
30,000
Boston Public Schools (Roger Clap Innovation School PK-5)
30,000
Central Berkshire Regional School District (Beckett Washington School PK-5)
30,000
Central Berkshire Regional School District (Berkshire Trail Elementary School PK-5)
30,000
Dennis Yarmouth School District (N H Wixon Innovation School 4-8)
30,000
Fall River Public Schools (Talbot Innovation Middle School 6-8)
30,000
Fitchburg Public Schools (McKay Arts Academy PK-8)
30,000
Gloucester Public Schools (Ralph B. O’Maley Middle School 6-8)
30,000
Haverhill Public Schools (John C. Tilton Innovation School K-4)
30,000
Leominster Public Schools (Leominster Center for Excellence 9-12)
24,400
Leominster Public Schools (Leominster Center for Technical Innovation 9-12)
30,000
Quaboag Regional School District (Quaboag Middle School 7-8)
19,840
Worcester Public Schools (Chandler Magnet PK-6)
30,000
Worcester Public Schools (Goddard Scholars Academy @ Sullivan Middle School 6-8)
30,000
Worcester Public Schools (Lincoln Street PK-6)
30,000
Worcester Public Schools (Worcester Technical High School 9-12)
30,000
TOTAL (STATE, FEDERAL, and GATES FUNDS)
$494,240
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FY14 Grant Funds Closeout Information
The project duration for all FY14 fund codes concluded on June 30, 2014. All grant recipients
must submit a Final Financial Form (FR1) to the Department no later than 60 days from the end
of the grant program. Grant contacts are encouraged to work with your budget offices to ensure
the submission of 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 FELLOWSHIP
The purpose of the newly created Innovation Schools Fellowship Program (Fellowship) is to provide
intensive support and planning time for the cultivation of “break the mold” new or conversion innovation
schools and/or academies. The Fellowship will support three current innovation school staff during the indepth, yearlong planning process.
The Fellowship commenced in fiscal year 2015 (July 1, 2014) and is a partnership between the
Department, EOE, and the sponsoring school district (District). By committing to participate in the
Fellowship, the Districts agreed to provide complete benefit packages and office space to support the
identified dedicated staff member during the in-depth, yearlong planning process.
Three Fellowships were awarded by the Department and will support the following educational models:
(1) Blended Learning; (2) Year Round School Schedule; and (3) Early College/Multiple Pathways.
Awarded Districts
District: Hudson Public Schools
School Type: Academy
Educational Model: Expanded Learning Time
Grade Span: K-5
Description of Innovation Academy
The prospective innovation academy is seeking to increase the length of the current school day through
staggered teacher scheduling and will be based on the essential school model which will incorporate a
STEM focus.
District: Malden Public Schools
Educational Model: Multiple Pathways
School Type: Academy
Grade Span 9-12
Description of Innovation Academy
Prospective innovation academy to be located within Malden High School aimed at serving the unique
needs of students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE). The prospective innovation
academy will implement a two-pronged system to serve the needs of recent immigrant students and will
serve SLIFE identified students for up to two years.E
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District: Worcester Public Schools
Educational Model: Early College
School Type: Conversion
Grade Span 7-16
Description of Innovation School
Prospective early college innovation school to be located in the city of Worcester’s Main South
Neighborhood. The prospective innovation school will seek to prepare all students for college and career
readiness through a strong partnership with Clark University and will develop and implement a
curriculum that is purposefully linked with its college partner. Lastly, the prospective innovation school
plans to establish a multi-stage college support pathways program to ensure that all students receive the
support necessary to succeed.
2014-15 PROGRAMMATIC PRIORITIES
In collaboration with EOE, the Department intends to provide continued support and guidance to
innovation school operators, 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.
Technical Assistance and Consultants
The Department will continue to provide direct technical assistance to support innovation school
operators, as well as employ external consultants. In an effort to build on the comprehensive analysis
work conducted during FY14 and to yield maximum results, technical assistance will be strategic in
nature and focus on implementation strategies and district level support.
Innovation School Network Events
During the 2014-15 academic year, the Department will focus its efforts on providing continued support
to innovation school principals via the principal network, and to the field through the annual convening.
Based on the thoughtful feedback received in the past, we plan to solicit input as we develop the structure
and content of this year’s annual convening.
Please feel free to contact Shay Edmond at sedmond@doe.mass.edu with any questions regarding
network events.
FY15 FISCAL PRIORITIES & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
During FY15, the Department will continue to issue Request for Proposals (RFPs) for the purposes of
planning, implementation, and program enhancement to operate new or conversion innovation schools or
academies. As in past years, the grants will be awarded to schools and districts to support the
development and operation of innovation schools.
Each RFP can be found as follows:
Grant Opportunity
Partnership Planning Grant RFP
Implementation Grant RFP
Enhancement and Sustainability Grant RFP
Fellowship Grant RFP (see below for more info)
RFP Link
http://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/2015/156/
http://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/2015/157/
http://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/2015/158/
Winter 2015
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Please contact Shay Edmond at sedmond@doe.mass.edu for any questions related to FY15 grant
opportunities.
Partnership Planning Grant RFP
The purpose of the newly created Innovation Schools Partnership Planning Grant is 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 is the expectation of the Department that grant awardees will facilitate
the innovation schools approval process that will culminate with an approved Innovation Plan by June 30,
2015. Up to three $75,000 grants will be awarded by the Department in one or more the following
models: (1) Expanded Calendar, (2) Blended Learning, and (3) Teacher Career Ladders.
Important Dates: Technical Assistance Webinar, Wednesday, October, 15th from 3:30-4:30PM; Intent
to Apply Due, Friday, October, 17th; Full Grant Proposals Due, Friday, November, 7th. The RFP for this
grant opportunity is posted at http://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/2015/156/.
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 2014-2015 academic year. In a continued
effort to support high quality implementation, the focus of the FY15 cycle will be on innovation school
measurable annual goals (MAGs) and how they will be used to inform key organizational decisions.
Examples of key organizational decision areas include, but are not limited to: continued improvement and
refinement of curriculum and instruction, student achievement, school culture, professional development,
staffing, fiscal planning, and operations.
Important Dates: Intent to Apply Due, Friday, October, 10th; Full Grant Proposals Due, Friday,
October, 24th. The RFP for this grant opportunity can be found at
http://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/2015/157/ . Eligible applicants should have received an email regarding
this funding opportunity.
Enhancement and Sustainability Grant RFP
The purpose of the Innovation Schools Enhancement and Sustainability Grant is to provide district and
school support for the enhanced implementation of the autonomies and flexibilities identified in approved
Innovation Plans. In a continued effort to support high quality enhancement and subsequent sustainability
of approved autonomies, the focus of the FY15 cycle will be on innovation school measurable annual
goals (MAGs). Grant applicants must demonstrate how MAGs have been used to inform key
organizational decision making processes in areas such as: curriculum and instruction, student
achievement, school culture, professional development, staffing, fiscal planning, and operations.
Additionally, applicants must identify the specific area of autonomy that has been selected for
enhancement and describe how grant funded activities will improve the quality of implementation. Lastly,
all grant applicants must address how activities will be sustained beyond the duration of the grant and
how the effectiveness of funds will be determined.
Important Dates: Intent to Apply, Friday, October, 10th; Full Grant Proposal Due, Friday, October 24th.
The RFP for this grant opportunity is posted at http://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/2015/158/. Eligible
applicants should have received an email regarding this funding opportunity.
Innovation Schools Fellowship
The Department anticipates issuing the FY16 Fellowship RFP in the winter of 2015. Up to three
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Fellowships will be awarded and will support one or more the following educational models: (1)
Expanded Calendar, (2) Blended Learning, and (3) Teacher Career Ladders.
Outreach activities will be conducted by the Department in collaboration with EOE. We anticipate that
outreach will take place through multiple modes, which will include information sessions, webinars, and
email communication. We will update the field as information becomes available.
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:
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Sheika (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
Bridget Rodriguez, Executive Office of Education, bridget.rodriguez@state.ma.us / (617) 979-8346
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