District and School Assistance Grant Appendix E
Pioneer Valley DSAC Regional Projects 2015-16
Regional Project Descriptions
Four regional DSAC grant priorities have been identified for the Pioneer Valley DSAC region:
(1) Elementary School Math Improvement Project
(2) Leadership Team Development Project
(3) Career Vocational Technical Education (CVTE) Integration with Academics
a. Supporting CVTE Educators in Instructional Leadership Network
Participation
b. Supporting CVTE Educators in Mathematics Professional Development:
“Weights and Measures”
Funds for Regional Priority activities are in addition to the district’s DSAC Grant allotment.
1. Elementary School Math Improvement Project: There is a need to support improved
mathematics tiered instruction for elementary students. Districts that participated in
Pioneer Valley DSAC regional elementary mathematics training in 2014-15 (including
summer 2015) will be provided with further training and support to embed and extend
learning and practices from the training.
a. Objective: To provide support for Level 3 districts to embed practices from
regional elementary mathematics trainings.
b. Outcomes: Teachers will extend the use of diagnostic assessments that provide
data on each student’s mathematical development. Teachers will implement
assessments and differentiated instruction based on the data.
c. Participants: Elementary educators who teach and support mathematics in
Pioneer Valley DSAC-served Level 3 schools.
District Commitments to Participate:
● Commit sufficient funds for each teacher’s full participation
● Commit to use DSAC or other funds to train an in-district trainer
● Participants attend 3 follow up sessions with Pioneer Valley DSAC Math
Specialist to strengthen understanding of use of assessments to drive instruction
● Administrators attend Administrators’ Module (3 meetings per year)
Funding: Up to $15,952 for Lead Agency for materials and vendor costs.
Actual funding will depend upon the number of participating districts.
2. Leadership Team Development: There is a need for Level 3 districts in the Pioneer
Valley to be supported in the development of high functioning leadership teams through
the use of Professional Learning Community (PLC) practices. Participating districts will
be supported through PLC professional development and group facilitation.
a. Objective: Increase expertise of schools and districts in the Pioneer Valley to
incorporate PLC practices into leadership teams.
District and School Assistance Grant Appendix E: Pioneer Valley Priorities ~ Page 1 of 4
b. Outcomes: Leadership team functioning will increase as teams embed and
sustain PCL practices.
c. Participants: Level 3 districts served by the Pioneer Valley DSAC.
Pioneer Valley Regional Priority funding will pay limited costs for consultant services
for PLC professional development and facilitation. Districts will assume costs for
participant stipends and/or substitute teacher costs if necessary. Districts will pay for
any additional consultant costs as determined for success of the project within the
district.
Funding: Lead Agency + additional funds for individual district consultant services, up to a total
of $10,450.
Actual funding will depend upon the number of participating districts.
3. Supporting Career Vocational Technical Education Educators in (A) Instructional
Leadership Network Participation and (B) Mathematics Professional Development:
“Weights and Measures”: There is a need in Level 3 CVTE schools for educators to
build teams within schools that are focused on rigorous integration of vocational and
academic learning. Opportunities will be provided for CVTE teachers to (1) attend CVTE
Instructional Leadership Network meetings, (2) observe each other’s classrooms and
shops, and (3) visit other schools.
a. Objective: Increase rigorous integration of vocational and academic learning in
CVTE schools. This priority will target academic and vocational instructors,
supporting a collegial approach to developing a common understanding of what
rigorous instruction looks like in all classrooms.
b. Outcomes:
a. CVTE educators will share best practices and strategies, and capacity is
increased to integrate vocational and academic learning.
b. Teacher methodology and pedagogy involving embedded math skills in
teacher instructional area will improve.
c. Participants: Educators in CVTE schools served by the Pioneer Valley DSAC.
Funding: Up to $6,800 additional funds available for Honorariums and resources – see
below.
Funding for Pioneer Valley Regional Priority Honorariums and Resources:
A total of $25,000 is available for all Pioneer Valley DSAC Regional Priority projects. A
portion of this is available for funding for Honorariums and resources for the CVTE
Instructional Leadership Participation and CVTE “Weights and Measures” Regional
Priority project. The amount of funding awarded to each district will depend upon the
number of districts requesting funding. Honorarium and resources funds can be used for:
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Stipends for participants working outside of contracted hours
Substitute teachers to allow participants to attend project activities
Travel to attend meetings and participate in project activities
Other expenses immediately related to regional priority projects as approved by
the Pioneer Valley DSAC Regional Assistance Director
District and School Assistance Grant Appendix E: Pioneer Valley Priorities ~ Page 2 of 4
INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLYING FOR REGIONAL FUNDS
GENERAL GUIDANCE AND INSTRUCTIONS
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All Level 3 and districts that are served by the Pioneer Valley DSAC are eligible to
participate in Priority 1 and Priority 2. Level 3 CVTE schools in the Pioneer Valley DSAC
region are eligible to participate in Priority 3 and Priority 4.
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District participation in regional priority projects is optional.
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Eligible districts may apply to participate in one or more priority projects.
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Districts may not repurpose unused Regional Priority fund allotments funds for other uses
(i.e., they cannot be directed to other district projects via a DSAC Grant Amendment).
Single districts, acting as lead agency for the partnership of districts for Priority 1 and/or
Priority 2, will apply for funds on behalf of the partnerships. If your district is acting as
lead agency, please see the instructions below for specific guidance on applying for
these funds.
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Individual districts may apply for additional funding in order to participate in Regional
Priorities 3 or 4.
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Districts may submit a single grant application that includes both their base district DSAC
grant allotment and funds for the Berkshire+ Regional Priorities. Additional instructions on
preparing the narrative and budget workbook for each priority area are detailed below.
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Districts may also choose to submit partial applications. That way a district or partnership
has the flexibility to get school year activities funded immediately and make decisions
about how any remaining funds will be used at a later date. Districts exercising this option
will subsequently amend the appropriate budget workbook(s) and need to do so by the
DSAC grant deadline of March 16, 2016.
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The actual amount of funding awarded for each priority project will depend upon the
number of districts and partnerships submitting applications that meet the criteria for
funding.
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If you have questions about completing the application materials, please e-mail or call
Abigail Slayton, the Regional System of Support Program Specialist, for assistance
(aslayton@doe.mass.edu; 781-338-3517).
REGIONAL PRIORITIES: APPLYING FOR INDIVIDUAL DISTRICT PARTICIPATION FUNDS
Individual districts may apply for funds related to participation in Priority 2 and/or Priority 3 and/or
Priority 4.
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Proposed budget expenditures for Regional Priorities may be incorporated into the same
220-E budget workbook you are using for your district’s DSAC grant allotment.
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Complete the Regional Priorities worksheet in the 220-E School Year workbook:
o Select Leadership Team Development Project and/or CVTE Integration with
Academics
District and School Assistance Grant Appendix E: Pioneer Valley Priorities ~ Page 3 of 4
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Provide details on proposed expenditures in the Budget Summary worksheet.
 Wherever possible, use the designated spaces for Regional Priorities
categories within the line items in the budget worksheet.
REGIONAL PRIORITIES: APPLYING FOR FUNDS AS THE LEAD AGENCY
Districts planning to apply as the lead agency for regional Priority 1 and/or Priority 2 should note
the following expectations and funding priorities for this project.
Applicants will be expected to:
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Work in partnership with the regional District and School Assistance Center (DSAC) to
facilitate professional learning across the partnership and region; and
If relevant, identify and contract with a vendor to coordinate and facilitate achievement of
all objectives articulated above for the project.
Guidance on completing 220E budget workbooks for district acting as Lead Agency for Regional
Priority 1 and/or Priority 2.
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Proposed budget expenditures may be incorporated into the same 220E budget
workbook(s) you are using for your district’s base DSAC grant allotment (i.e., School
Year and/or Summer).
Complete the Regional Priorities worksheet in the 220E workbook.
o Select Elementary School Math Improvement Project Lead Agency and/or
Leadership Team Development Project Lead Agency from the dropdown menu
for Projects.
Indicate the amount of funding you are requesting on the appropriate line.
Add the proposed expenditures to the Budget Summary worksheet in the appropriate
220E budget workbook(s).
o Wherever possible, use the designated spaces for Regional Priorities categories
within the line items in the budget worksheet.
District and School Assistance Grant Appendix E: Pioneer Valley Priorities ~ Page 4 of 4