Transition to Full-Day Kindergarten (FC 702): A Bidder’s Conference January 6, 2012

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 2 Purpose of the RFP  The purpose of the state-funded Transition to Full-Day Kindergarten grant (FC 702) is to encourage the voluntary expansion of high- quality, full-day kindergarten classrooms across Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 3 Priorities Competitive priority will be given to districts with the greatest need as defined by:  higher percentages of low-income students;  higher percentages of students who are English language learners; and  lower Composite Performance Index (CPI) data for the 3rd grade MCAS assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Competitive priority may also be given to:  districts that are not currently recipients of the FY2012 Quality Full- Day Kindergarten Grant (FC: 701) and meet the priorities listed above; and  districts that can demonstrate the need for full-day kindergarten based on other criteria of need (e.g., an individual school meeting the criteria above, the needs of a particular population, needs based on rural or isolated locations, etc.).

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 4 Funding Approximately $910,000 is available for this competitive grant. Funds will be awarded to eligible districts based on up to $10,000 for each part-time kindergarten session to be transitioned to a full-day kindergarten classroom in September 2012.

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 5 Fund Use  Salaries or stipends for staff responsible for the transition to full-day kindergarten  Stipends and/or substitutes for staff to attend professional development, committee meetings and other transition activities  Consultants, professional development, NAEYC accreditation  Curriculum development  Capital or facilities improvements  Materials/supplies for new classrooms

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 6 Due Dates January 17 th : Intent to Apply Include: district name, contact information, and estimated number of part-day kindergarten sessions that will open as full- day classrooms in FY2013 and that will be included in the FY2012 Fund Code: 702 grant proposal January 24 th : Full application with signatures due to the Department by 5:00 p.m. Format: Applications may not be ed. They must be received in hard copy by this date.

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 7 Required Forms  Part I – Program Unit Signature Page  Part II Workbook – Budget and Budget Narrative  Part III – Required Program Information  Letter of Assurance from Superintendent  Letter of Assurance from School Committee (due in Spring of 2012 for awarded districts)

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 8 Additional Requirements  Pursuit of National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation for the kindergarten classrooms  Creation of a School Readiness and Early Childhood/Early Elementary Curriculum Committee  Adherence to ESE’s policies for Quality Full- Day Kindergarten Grants  Tuition Policy and Sliding Fee Scale  Lottery Systems

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 9 Next Steps  Review Process and Timelines  Implementation Plan  Mid-Year Check in  Discussion of Quality Full-Day Kindergarten Grant (FC 701) for FY13

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 10 Questions & Additional Information Min-hua Chen, Grant Coordinator Donna Traynham, Supervisor Learning Support Services Unit: