History and Social Science Instructional Planning and Implementation Grant

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Purpose: The purpose of this competitive grant program is to provide districts with funding to help teachers deepen their understanding of the 2018 History and Social Science Curriculum Framework and implement high quality standards-aligned curricular materials that promote inclusive practices and improved outcomes for all students. Districts may propose to collaborate with vendor(s) to support this work.

Priorities: Adopted by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in June, the 2018 History and Social Science Framework includes three pillars: Standards for History and Social Science Practice; Grade Level Content Standards for Pre-K-8 and Content Standards for High School Courses; and Standards for Reading, Writing, and Speaking and Listening in History and Social Science. 

• The seven Standards for History and Social Science Practice encompass civic knowledge, dispositions, and skills. They focus on the processes of inquiry and research that are integral to a rich social science curriculum and the foundation for active and responsible citizenship. 
• From pre-kindergarten through grade 8, Content Standards build on the knowledge and skills learned in previous years. At the high school level, standards for six full-year courses build on elementary and middle school knowledge and skills. 
• Because learning civics, geography, history, and economics is dependent on and contributes to strong literacy skills, the framework contains Standards for Reading, Writing, and Speaking and Listening in History and Social Science, drawn from the 2017 English Language Arts and Literacy Curriculum Framework. 

Other features of the standards include an increased emphasis on civics at all grade levels, including a new grade 8 course; inclusion of standards that reflect the diversity of the United States and world cultures, with particular attention to the contributions of women and men of all ethnicities and backgrounds in the United States and the connections among world cultures; expanded examples of primary sources representing significant texts, maps,  photographs, and works of art and architecture in United States and world history; and new standards for financial literacy and news/media literacy.

We have heard from educators across the Commonwealth regarding a strong desire for time to collaborate with colleagues and instructional leaders to unpack, analyze, align, and plan for implementation of the standards. This grant responds to those needs.

Grants will support teacher collaboration and professional learning that prepare teachers for full and effective implementation of the standards in the 2019-2020 school year. The intended outcomes of this grant are for districts to deepen their understanding of the Framework, analyze current curriculum for alignment to the Framework, and revise, adapt, and/or adopt high-quality standards-aligned curricular materials for use in the 2019-2020 school year and beyond.

Districts must agree to conduct at least one the following activities:

• Teachers work together (in cross-grade teams, grade-alike teams, or interdisciplinary teams within a school) to analyze their curriculum and curricular materials to determine alignment (or lack of alignment) between the revised standards, the Standards for History and Social Science Practice, the Literacy Standards for History and Social Science, and the curricula used by their district or school. Teachers identify areas where the curriculum does not well-align with the revised standards, and collaboratively refine and align curricula. If necessary, teachers evaluate new materials for quality and alignment, and adopt them (or recommend adoption to their district or school). Outcomes may include revised curriculum maps, scopes and sequences, vertical progression documents, course descriptions, and rubrics and tools for evaluating materials for quality and alignment, and the results of the evaluations.
• A team of 8th grade teachers assembles curricular materials for the new, yearlong civics course. Outcomes include products that ensure horizontal coherence, such as assessments, questions and investigations, and instructional techniques, leading to equitable opportunities for students to learn and apply the Standards for History and Social Science Practice.

Eligibility: All Massachusetts Local Education Agencies (districts) are eligible to apply for this grant.  Districts will be given competitive priority in scoring for each of the following areas:

• Underperforming or Chronically Underperforming districts 
• Percentage of high needs students served 

Funding Type: State

Funding: Approximately $200,000 is available through state funds. Districts apply for up to $5,000 to support the activities described above.  Districts proposing to work with a vendor may apply for up to $10,000. Grants above $5,000 are conditional based on Department approval of a proposal demonstrating that the vendor will supplement (add to, enhance, expand, increase, or extend) the products and outcomes of these activities.

Fund Use: Fund use must be consistent with the priorities described above, with the goal of improved outcomes for all students.

• No funds may be dedicated toward administrator salaries;
• No greater than 5% of funds may be dedicated toward administrative costs associated with the grant;
• No greater than 5% of funds may be used for administrative materials or resources; and
• No less than 90% of funds must go toward teacher stipends and/or collaboration with vendors.

Project Duration:  Upon Award - 6/30/2019

Program Unit:   Center for Instructional Support

Contact:  Michelle Ryan (781) 338-3251

Date Due: November 20, 2018

Required Forms:

• Part I – General – Program Unit Signature Page – (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants) (mail to the Department; must be postmarked no later than the date due)
• Part II – Budget (upload online)
• Part III – Required Program Information (complete online)

Additional Information: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Grant expects recipients to share a description of the outcomes of the grant and products as requested to expand the impact of the grant. 

Submission Instructions: Complete and submit all grant forms and materials:

• Part I - Signature Page: Sign and mail to the Department. Must be postmarked no later than 5:00 PM on the date due.

• Part II - Budget: Upload no later than 5:00 PM on the date due.
• Part III - Required Program Information: Complete online no later than 5:00 PM on the date due.