REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS
Application for Innovative Initiative
Grant Program
Office of Secondary Education
359 North West Street, 204
Jackson, Mississippi 39201
Contact: Jean Massey
Phone: 601-359-3465
Fax: 601-359-6619
Date: March 18, 2015
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
All applications must be received at the
Mississippi Department of Education by:
3:30 p.m. on or before April 16, 2015
at the location designated on page 5.
Office of Secondary Education
MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P.O. Box 771
Jackson, MS 39205
Innovative Initiative Grant Program Application
This packet includes:
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Section I:
General Information
Section II:
Additional Information
Section III: Application Procedures
Section IV: Application Instructions and Format
Grant Application
Application Checklist
Questions:
Questions regarding the Innovative Initiative Grant Application process may be
emailed to Jean Massey, jmassey@mde.k12.ms.us in the Office of Secondary
Education.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION I: GENERAL INFORMATION
Introduction……………………………………………………………….
Purpose…………………………………………………………………...
Eligible Applicants………………………………………………………..
Innovative Initiative Grant Award Funding …………………………
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3
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SECTION II: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Onsite Visits for Innovative Grants……………………………….
4
Timeline of Grant Activities…………………………………………….. 4
Evaluation Criteria……………….……………………………………… 4
SECTION III: APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Procedures for Delivery of Applications……………………………… 5
Acceptance of Applications……………………………………………. 5
Rejection of Applications………………………………………………. 6
Disposition of Applications…………………………………………….. 6
Conditions of Solicitation………………………………………………6-7
SECTION IV: APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND FORMAT
Format of Application…………………………………………………….. 7
Part A – Application Cover Page…………………………………………8
Part B – Assurances Narrative………..………………………………9-11
Part C – Project Narrative ………………………….…………………..12
Part D – Budget …………………………………………………………..13
Part E – Appendix………………………………………………………...13
APPLICATION CHECKLIST…………………………………………………..…14
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OFFICE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION
MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
I.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Introduction
The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), through the Office of
Secondary Education, is currently seeking competitively written
applications to provide school districts with an opportunity to participate in
researched based innovative initiatives. Areas that have been identified
as innovative initiatives for this grant are Project Lead the Way (PLTW)
middle and high school programs; Southern Region Education Board
(SREB) High Schools That Work (HSTW), Making Middle Grades Matter
(MMGM) and Technology Centers That Work (TCTW) for Career and
Technical Centers; Career Academies; Capturing Kids Hearts; and Middle
and High School curriculum innovations such as AP and Pre-AP, IB, Dual
Credit/\Dual Enrollment, or middle school acceleration opportunities.
Purpose
The purpose of this Innovative Initiative Program Grant Application is to
provide quality educational opportunities that will increase the percentage
of students graduating from high school, provide career pathways that
offer advancement and growth potential, and help students make
successful transitions to postsecondary education by increase college and
career readiness for students.
Eligible Applicants
Any school district interested in offering innovative initiative is eligible to
apply. Mississippi Department of Education does not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.
Innovative Initiative Program Components
Mississippi school districts will have the opportunity to respond to this
request for applications to implement one of the identified innovative
initiatives. (Implementation of more than one will be considered if
applications are submitted for both programs and dollar amounts for
funding are available). The initiatives are limited to the programs listed in
the Introduction above.
Grant Award Funding
Funding for this grant cannot exceed $48,000 per district. Multiple schools
in a district may be included in the application process but each district is
limited to a total grant award amount of $48,000.
It is the intent of MDE to award innovative initiative grants to as many
districts as possible. Therefore, all budget request should be kept to the
minimum amount to implement each program in year one.
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II.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Onsite Visits
Onsite visits can be conducted during implementation to assess progress
toward teaching and learning goals.
Timeline of Grant Activities
March 18, 2015
Release Request for Applications via email
April 16, 2015
Applications due at 3:30 p.m. in the Office
of Procurement
April 17, 2015
Evaluation of applications
April 24, 2015
Notification of award
Evaluation Criteria
Project Description
25 points
Assurances
10 points
Intervention
15 points
Facility Readiness
5 points
Collaboration & Support 15 points
Evaluation
10 points
Budget
20 points
Total
100 points
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III.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Procedures for Delivery of Applications
One (1) completed application and an electronic copy saved to a CD
or a flash/thumb drive in a “read only” PDF format must be received
on or before, April 16, 2015, by 3:30 p.m. at the following address
based upon the delivery method used:
Hand Deliver Application to:
Lorraine Wince
Office of Procurement
Mississippi Department of Education
Central High School, Suite 307
359 North West Street
Jackson, MS
Mail Application to:
Lorraine Wince
Office of Procurement
Mississippi Department of Education
Post Office Box 771
Jackson, MS 39205-0771
Ship Application to:
(FedEx UPS, etc.)
Lorraine Wince
Office of Procurement
Mississippi Department of Education
359 North West Street
Jackson, MS 39201
At the time of receipt of the application, the application will be opened,
date-stamped and recorded in the Office of Procurement. The applicant is
responsible for ensuring that the application is delivered by the required
time and assumes all risk of delivery.
An incomplete application will not be accepted and cannot be returned for
revisions. No faxed copies will be accepted and the application must be
signed.
We strongly recommend that you plan to submit the application early in
order to allow for unforeseen circumstances. Applications will not be
accepted after the deadline.
Acceptance of Applications
The Mississippi Department of Education reserves the right, in its sole
discretion, to waive minor irregularities in applications. A minor irregularity
is a variation from the Request for Applications (RFA) that does not affect
the application, or give one party an advantage or benefit not enjoyed by
other parties or adversely impacts the interest of the MDE.
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Rejection of Applications
Applications that do not conform to the requirements as outlined may be
rejected by the Mississippi Department of Education. Applications may be
rejected for reasons that include, but are not limited to, the following:
 The application contains unauthorized amendments to requirements
as outlined herein.
 The application is conditional.
 The application is incomplete and contains irregularities that make
the application indefinite or ambiguous.
 An authorized representative of the applicant does not sign the
application.
 The application contains false or misleading statements or
references.
 The application does not meet all requirements of the RFA.
 The application does not contain the required CD or a flash/thumb
drive.
 Applicant has previously been cited with major and/or significant
deficiencies by the MDE in one or more programs.
Disposition of Applications
All applications become the property of the state of Mississippi.
Conditions of Solicitation
The Mississippi Department of Education reserves the right to accept,
reject, or negotiate regarding submitted applications on the basis of the
evaluation criteria contained in this document. The final decision to award
a grant rests solely with the MDE.
Before preparing the applications, the applicant should note that:
1.
All applications, in their entirety, will become the property of the
MDE upon submission;
2.
The award of a grant for any proposed program is contingent upon
the following:
 Favorable evaluation of the application;
 Approval of the application by the State Superintendent of
Education, the Deputy State Superintendent, and the MDE’s
Office of Secondary Education;
 Successful negotiation of any changes to the application as
required by the MDE;
3.
The MDE will not be liable for any costs associated with the
preparation of applications incurred by the applicant; and
4.
Dollars received as an outcome of this application cannot be used
to cover any costs associated with the preparation of the
application.
The MDE also reserves the right to accept any application submitted for
grant award, without negotiation. Therefore, applicants are advised to
propose their most favorable terms initially. Applicants will be required to
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assume full responsibility for meeting all specified requirements stated in
the RFA.
IV. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND FORMAT
Applications must be submitted utilizing the required format described on
page 12 of this RFA. The RFA document may be downloaded from the
Mississippi Department of Education’s web page at www.mde.k12.ms.us
under the Public Notice section, or may be e-mailed upon request. All
applications that are submitted must include the following components in
the order listed below:
I.
II.
III.
Part A
A completed APPLICATION COVER PAGE (page 8) must be
signed by the Superintendent and the administrator at which the
innovative program will be implemented. This page can be
duplicated if more than one school is applying within one district.
Part B
ASSURANCES NARRATIVE must be signed by the
Superintendent and the administrator at which the innovative
program will be implemented. This page can be duplicated if more
than one school is applying within one district.
Part C
A complete PROJECT NARRATIVE (page 12) must address
details that outline how the innovative program will be implemented,
evaluated, and sustained. Only one project narrative should be
submitted for the school district. The Project Narrative should not
exceed ten (10) pages.
Part D
IV. A complete BUDGET must include the following:
a. Budget Summary
b. Budget Narrative
Only one budget should be submitted for the school district.
Part E
V. APPENDIX
a. Letters of specific support may be included from postsecondary
institutions (Community and Junior Colleges and/or Institutions of
Higher Learning, business and industry, RESAs, and/or other
collaborative partnerships) that would make the application process
stronger.
b. Résumés and letters of commitment from teachers included in the
innovative program if applicable for this process.
c. Additional evidence supporting the application not to exceed five (5)
pages.
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MS Department of Education
Innovative Grant Application
Part A - Application Cover Page
A
District Information
School District:
Superintendent:
Street Address:
District Phone:
City:
Zip Code:
Contact Phone:
Project Contact:
Contact Position:
Contact E-mail:
B
School Information
Names
the Administrator
School/Career
Name
Center that will
Implement
Innovative Initiative
C
Address
of
School
Phone
Number
Innovative
Application
Program
Name
Number
of
Students to be
Served by Grant
Required Signatures
Superintendent Signature
Date
Typed Name
Administrator Signature
Date
Typed Name
* This page should be duplicated if multiple schools within the district are applying.
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Part B – Assurances Narrative
Districts must submit a brief narrative detailing specific information (e.g., a
timeline for training, district incentives, and/or other creative supports) that show
how stakeholders of school districts submitting this application will comply with
the assurances listed below.
All Stakeholders
1. All stakeholders, including administrators, teachers, counselors, etc., need
to be informed and made aware of the requirements to successfully
implement and operate the innovative initiative.
2. All stakeholders, including administrators, teachers, counselors, parents,
community leaders, etc., will collaborate to provide support for students
and interventions for students who are at risk of dropping out and who are
struggling academically.
Administration
3. The School District agrees to implement the innovative program during the
2015-16 school year.
4. Superintendent, high school, CTE director, and/or middle school will give
support to implement and maintain the program.
 The School District will support and provide release time for
educators to the professional development offerings related to the
program.
 Administrators at all levels will collaborate to provide resources
such as time and space for all academic and/or CTE educators to
work, plan, and implement components of the innovative program.
 The Administration will ensure that all academic and/or CTE
educators have specific planning time set aside for planning
curricula strategies and other instructional-related components.
 The Administration will work with educators to develop strategies to
involve local business and industry or the appropriate stakeholders
that should be involved with the innovative process.
5. All administrators, including superintendents, high school academic
administrators, and CTE administrators, are committed to successfully
completing professional learning opportunities related to implementation of
the innovative initiative.
6. Administrators agree to analyze their current school needs to demonstrate
the need in the school for the innovative practice that will be implemented.
Intervention
7. All stakeholders, including administrators, teachers, counselors, parents,
community leaders, etc., will collaborate to provide support and
interventions for students who are at risk of dropping out and who are
struggling academically.
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Service
8. All stakeholders are committed to serving on future collaborative teams to
revise components and/or implementation of the innovative programs for
future improvements.
Evaluation
9. District agrees to work with MDE or their assigned representatives in
gathering data for evaluation purposes.
10. District agrees to coordinate the data collection and other components
related to the evaluation of the innovative initiative.
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Assurances Narrative Signature Page
(NOTE: This signature page must be placed behind the last page of the
Assurances Narrative written by the district.)
We agree to the detailed narrative prepared on behalf of our school district
describing how our stakeholders will comply with the assurances listed in
the application.
Superintendent Signature
Date
Typed Name
Administrator Signature
Date
Typed Name
* This page should be duplicated if multiple schools within the district are applying.
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Part C - Project Narrative
Please submit a narrative of the proposed Innovative Initiative Implementation
Project. The entire Project Narrative should be limited to no more than ten
pages, one sided, double spaced, using Arial or Times New Roman, 12-point
font.
A. Project Description
 Explain in detail how you plan to implement the curriculum, professional
development, and assessment of the Innovative Initiative program you
select.
B. Interventions
 Describe existing or proposed intervention program(s) or assessment(s)
for increasing student learning and decreasing the dropout rate.
C. Facility Readiness
 Summary of readiness of functional space (pictures may be included in
the appendix).
D. Collaboration & Support
 Summary of collaboration efforts between school district and
postsecondary institutions (Community and/or Junior Colleges and
Institutions of Higher Learning) that are focused on improving student
learning
 Summary of collaboration and support between school district and local
business and industry that are focused on improving student learning
 Applicants should only include letters of support as evidence of
collaboration and support that is specifically included in the narrative.
Each individual letter of support should be specific in listing or stating
exactly what will be provided to the district toward the implementation of
the grant. Letters that only state general support and congratulate the
district for their many accomplishments should not be included.
E. Evaluation
The evaluation plan should include the following:
 Ongoing evaluation methods (formative assessments) that will be used
to measure student learning in the innovative program selected
including multiple measures (different types of assessments:
performance-based, portfolio, checklists, rubrics, demonstrations,
presentations, paper/pencil, etc.).
 Ongoing teacher evaluation methods that will be used to ensure that
teachers are fully implementing in accordance to innovative program
guidelines.
 Description of data (qualitative and quantitative) that will be collected
during the project to assess how the project is meeting the anticipated
outcomes of the grant: (1) to increase the percentage of students
graduating from high school, (2) provide career pathways that offer
advancement and growth potential, (3) and help students make
successful transitions to the next level of education.
 The project self-evaluation will be submitted annually, in June of each
year.
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Part D - Budget
Budget Summary
Budget summary should reflect the dollars needed for implementation of
the selected innovative program for year one of the implementation
process. Dollar amounts per district may not exceed $48,000 for the total
amount awarded to a district. Multiple schools within the district may
apply for the innovative grant dollars as long as the grant request for the
district does not exceed $48,000. Each district must submit an application
for the program selected as part of the district application process. If
multiple schools apply from one district, each school will have to complete
the Application Cover Page and the Assurance Narrative page.
It is the intent of MDE to award innovative initiative grants to as many
districts as possible. Therefore, all budget request should be kept to the
minimum amount to implement each program in year one.
Budget Narrative


All applicants must provide an itemized budget breakdown for the
innovative program selected by the district.
Applicants must include how each major cost item relates to the
implementation of the innovative initiative.
Part E – Appendix
Appendix
The appendix may include letters of specific support from postsecondary
institutions (Community and Junior Colleges and/or Institutions of Higher
Learning), business and industry, RESAs, and/or other collaborative partnerships
if applicable for this program. It should also include résumés and letters of
commitment from teachers included in the grant project. Additional evidence
supporting the application (not to exceed five (5) pages) should also be
included.
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APPLICATION CHECKLIST
□
Is the Application Cover Page signed by the Authorized Officials?
□
Is Part C of the application no more than 10 pages?
□
Is the application bound or stapled? Do not use paper clips or
rubber bands.
□
Is the application typed in easy-to-read fonts? (Arial and/or Times
New Roman 12-point fonts are recommended.)
□
Is the signed Assurances Narrative signature page along with a
detailed project narrative attached?
□
Is the budget summary worksheet included?
Assemble the original in the following order:
□
Part A - Application Cover Page
□
Part B – Assurances Narrative
□
Part C – Project Narrative
□
Part D – Budget
□
Part E – Appendix
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