Requestfor

Proposals

MarylandStateDepartmentofEducation

200WestBaltimoreStreet

Baltimore,MD21201

Deadline[DEADLINEDATETIME]

This document is available in alternate formats.

PROPOSALDESCRIPTION

Nameof Grant Program:

[NAMEOF GRANT]

Authorization:

[STATEOR FEDERALLEGISLATIONTHATMADEFUNDSAVAILABLE]

Dissemination:

[DATETHERFPIS TO BEDISTRIBUTED]

Deadline:

[DEADLINEFOR APPLICANTS, DATETIME]

Purpose:

[DESCRIBEWHAT THEGRANTISINTENDEDTOACCOMPLISH]

RequiredComponents:

Proposals must containthefollowing tobeconsideredfor funding:

  • [LISTALLPROGRAMMATICREQUIREMENTSIN BULLETED FORM]

Priorities:

Priority will begiventoprojects that incorporateoneormoreofthefollowing:

  • [LISTALLELEMENTSTHATGIVEPRIORITYOF ONEPROPOSALOVERANOTHER]

EligibleApplicants:

[LISTALLAGENCIESELIGIBLE TO APPLYFOR THISGRANT]

Proposal Review:

Thereviewofproposalswill beafour-partprocess.

1)Written applicationswill bepre-screenedfor submissionrequirements andinclusionofallrequiredsections.Applicants not meeting allprescreenrequirementswill not beread.

2)AreviewcommitteeestablishedbytheMarylandStateDepartment ofEducation(MSDE) willevaluatewrittenapplications. Thecommitteewill becomposedofrepresentatives fromoutsideagencies andMSDEpersonnel. Reviewerswill commentupontheproposals andassignnumericalscores.

3)Applicants maybescheduledforanoralprogrampresentationas determinedbythereviewcommittee.

4)Finalapproval for awardswill bedeterminedbythe[COMMITTEEWHOMAKESTHEFINALDECISION]

MSDEreserves therighttotakeintoconsiderationgeographicdistributionwhenmaking awards.

AwardNotification:

Notificationofawardswill besent bymail on[DateofNotification]

TotalFundsAvailable:

[TOTALFUNDS TO BEDISBURSED]

Lengthof Grants:

[STARTING DATE TOENDING DATE]

EstimatedNumberof Grants:

[ESTIMATED NUMBER OF GRANTS TO BE AWARDED]

EstimatedAverageGrant Amount:[ESTIMATED AMOUNTOF AVERAGEGRANT]

FundUse

Cost(s) incurredprior totheapproval ofthegrant maynot befundedthroughtheaward.[ADDITIONALINFORMATIONCONCERNINGHOWTHEFUNDSCANANDCAN NOTBESPENT]

TheGeneral EducationProvisionsAct(GEPA),Section 427:

Eachapplicationmust developanddescribethesteps suchapplicantproposes totaketoensureequitableaccess to, andequitableparticipationin, theproject oractivitytobeconductedwithsuchassistance, byaddressing thespecial needs ofstudents, teachers, andother programbeneficiariesinorder toovercomebarriers toequitableparticipation.

ReportingRequirements:

Grantees must submit:

  • Quarterlyprojectupdates;
  • Annual financial reports;
  • Annual evaluationreports;
  • Afinal evaluation, encompassing all funding cycles,within60days oftheendofthegrantperiod(ifthegrantis for multipleyears).
  • [ADDITIONALREPORTINGREQUIREMENTS]

Inaddition,granteeswill host at least onesitevisit perfunding cycle.

Proposalsmust containthefollowing information, assembled in theorderindicated:

1.ProposalCover Sheet.

2.ProjectAbstract.

3.TableofContents.

4.ProjectNarrative([PAGELIMIT]-pagelimit).

4.1.Extent ofNeed.

4.2.Goals,Objectives, andMilestones.

4.3.PlanofOperation.

4.4.EvaluationandDisseminationPlan.

4.5.ManagementPlan/KeyPersonnel.

4.5.1.ManagementWorksheet.

4.5.2.Project TimeLine.

4.6.IntegrationwithEducationReform.

4.7.FuturePlans.

5.BudgetNarrative.

5.1.LineItemListing ofBudgetaryExpenses.

5.2.ItemizedBudgetForm.

6.Appendices.Donot appendanyrequiredsectionsindicatedabove.Appendicesare

includedbelow.

6.1.WorksCited

6.2.Letters ofcommitment fromallprojectpartners andprincipals ofparticipatingschools(asappropriate).

6.3.Résumés ofKeyPersonnel.

6.4.Signedassurances.

6.5.[OTHER REQUIREDAPPENDICES]

SubmissionRequirements:

  • Allpages oftheprojectnarrativemust useone-inchmargins andbenumberedaccording totheprescribednumbering convention.(See“TableofContents” section)
  • Theproject statement that appears onthecover sheet must not exceed100words.
  • Theabstract must not exceedonepage.
  • Narrativemust uselinespacing ofat least 1.5, andatypesizeof12-point font. Chartsmayusesinglespacing andatypesizeof10-point font.
  • Allcopies oftheproposalshouldbeonstandardsize(8½” x11”) paperofregularweight.
  • Boundcopies must bestapledintheupperleft corner. Theyshouldnot beboundbyglue,spirals,wire,clasps, oranyothermeans.
  • Theprescribedcoversheetmust bethefirst pageoftheproposal.
  • Theoriginalcoversheet must besignedinblueink. Copies ofthecoversheet must notbecolor photocopied.
  • Applicationpackageexcludingproposalcover sheet, tableofcontents, budgetnarrative,itemizedbudget form, signedassurances andappendices mustnot exceed[PAGELIMIT] pages.
  • Alltables andcharts must followprescribedformats.

Anunboundoriginalproposal,togetherwith( ) boundcopies,and an electroniccopyin Microsoft Word format,MUSTbesubmittedto:

MarylandStateDepartment ofEducation[OFFICEOF REVIEWING DEPARTMENT]

200WestBaltimoreStreetBaltimore,MD21201-2595

Attention:[NAMEOF GRANTCONTACT]

Electronic copyshouldbesent byemail to(Emailaddress) oronaUSBflashdrive.

ProgramContacts:

[NAMES,PHONENUMBERS,FAXNUMBERSANDEMAILSOF PROGRAMCONTACTS]

TechnicalAssistance:

Atechnicalassistancemeetingwill beheldon[DATE]

[TIME]

[LOCATION OF MEETING]

TheMarylandStateDepartmentofEducationdoesnotdiscriminateonthebasisofage,ancestry/nationalorigin,color,disability,genderidentity/expression,maritalstatus,race,religion,sex,orsexualorientationinmattersaffectingemploymentorinprovidingaccesstoprogramsandactivitiesandprovidesequalaccesstotheBoyScoutsandotherdesignatedyouthgroups.ForinquiriesrelatedtoDepartmentpolicy,pleasecontact:

EquityAssuranceandComplianceOffice

OfficeoftheDeputyStateSuperintendent for FinanceandAdministrationMarylandStateDepartment ofEducation

200W.BaltimoreStreet-6thFloorBaltimore,Maryland21201-2595

410-767-0426- voice

410-767-0431-fax

410-333-6442-TTY/TDD

PROPOSALCOVERSHEET

Everyproposalmust haveaProposalCover Sheet. Nootherpagemay covertheproposal coversheet. Thesubsequent informationmustbeclearly statedinthefollowingorder:

  • Nameof applicant.
  • Titleof project.
  • Thewords“[NAMEOF GRANT].”
  • Nameof contact person.
  • Address of contact person.
  • Telephone, fax, andemailaddress of contact person.
  • Projectpartners.
  • Amountrequested.
  • Projectstatement(100-wordlimit).
  • Datedsignatureof Superintendent of Schools/Headof GranteeAgency.

TheProjectCover Sheet shouldbeprintedonplainwhitepaperandcontainneither graphics nor additionalinformation. The Cover Sheet should be signed by the Superintendent of Schools.

Theprojectstatementshouldbrieflydescribetheproject’soutcome(s) andstrategies(i.e.,what theprojectwilldoandhow itwill doit). Donot exceedthe100-wordlimit. Thisstatementwill beusedinpressreleases,boardexhibits, etc.

PROJECTABSTRACT

1-pagelimit

IntheProjectAbstractintroducetheproject tothereader. It shouldbefactual,brief, andfocusedonthe organization’s efforts. Donot assumethereader isfamiliar withtheproposedproject.

TheProjectAbstractshouldcoverthecoreaspects of theproposedproject,whileaddressingthefollowingquestions:

  • Whatis theproblem?
  • Whatpopulations,schools, or geographicareaswill beservedby theproject?
  • Whatarethegoals andobjectives of theproject?(For brevity, theseshouldbeparaphrased.)
  • Whatstrategiesaretobeemployedtoaddress theproblem?
  • Whoarethepartners, andwhataretheroles of each?

TABLEOFCONTENTS

TheTableof Contentsis animportantaidforthereader.Whenwritingtheproposal andconstructingthetableof contents, usethefollowingconventions:

  • TheProposalCover Sheetis not numberedbut isconsideredtobepage“i”(lower case, Romannumeralone).
  • TheProjectAbstractis page“ii ”(lower case, Romannumeraltwo).
  • Donot list theTableof Contents as oneof thepages inthetableof contents.
  • Tableof Contentspage(s) is( are) numberediii,iv, etc.
  • Theextent of needis thefirst pageof theprojectnarrativeandisnumbered“1". Subsequent pages arenumberedconsecutively.
  • TheBudget isnumberedas follows: “B-1,B-2,B-3”.
  • Appendicesarelabeled“Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C “.

PROJECTNARRATIVE

[PAGELIMIT]-pagelimit90points total

TheProjectNarrativeprovides anopportunity toconvincereaders that theprojectis soundanddeserves toreceivefunding. TheProjectNarrativeshouldencompass theentirelifeof theproject. WhenwritingtheProjectNarrative, keepthefollowingsuggestionsinmind:

  • Besuccinct andclear. Readers needtounderstandquickly andeasily thecomponents of theproject andhow they work togethertoaddress thestatedneeds.
  • Donot assumethereader isfamiliar withtheproject;readersrepresentdiversebackgrounds. Avoidjargon, anddefineallacronyms.
  • ProofreadtheNarrativeonceitiscomplete. Check for styleinconsistencies,redundancies, factualomissions, andunexplainedassumptions. Agoodstrategyis toletsomeonenot familiar withtheprojectreadandcritiquetheproposalbeforesubmittingit toMSDE.
  • Beas detailedas possible. Usetheentirepagelimit toexplaintheproject.UsetheAppendices toincludeinformationthat may beimportant forthereader but will not fitwithintheProjectNarrative.For clarity,itisimportant toreferenceinthebody of theproposal any supplementalinformationincludedintheappendices.

Extent of Need

15of 90points

Acompellingproposalwill haveaclearly-definedproblem supportedby aneeds assessment. Aneedsassessmentis asystematicreview of informationcollectedfrom avariety of sources,analyzedtodeterminestrengths andweaknesses, andprioritizedfor actionintheproposal.

Herearesomesuggestions fortheneeds assessment.

  • Clearly statethemainproblem inthefirstparagraph.
  • Citeresearchsupportingtheneedfortheproject.
  • Statewhat datawerecollectedtoconfirm theexistenceof theproblem, thesources of thedata, andthemethods usedtocollectthem.
  • Presenteasily-measuredquantitativedata. (e.g., test scores, absenteerates).
  • Presentqualitativedatainsupport of quantitativedata(e.g.,interviews, focus groups).
  • Usemultiplemethods todocument theproblem (e.g.,surveys,analysis of schoolrecords,previousstudies,focus groups).
  • Usemultipledatasources(teachers, students, parents,etc.).
  • Usenational orstatedatatoestablishtheproblem’sexistenceoutsideof thelocalarea.
  • Uselocal datatodocument theproblem inthelocalarea.Includerelevantdemographics andotherstatistics about eachandeverypopulationtobeserved. Includeallrelevant datafrom theMarylandSchool PerformanceProgram (MSPP).
  • Statewhois affectedby theproblem. Statewhenandwheretheproblem exists.
  • Document thefactorscontributingtotheproblem.
  • Documentcurrent orpast efforts toaddress theproblem.
  • Show why thoseeffortsfailedor areinadequatetoaddress thetotal need.
  • Discuss theapplicant’shistory or expertiseindealingwiththeproblem.
  • Discuss theconsequences of notdealingwiththeproblem.

Goals,Objectives,andMilestones

10of 90points

Goals,objectives, andmilestonesarealloutcomes. Outcomesthemselvesarestatements that tell how theproject’stargetpopulationwouldimprove. Everyoutcomeshoulddescribeachangeinatargetpopulation. Inaddition, they set standards of progresstowardsalleviatingtheproblemsidentifiedintheneeds assessment.Statementsthat describestrategiesormanagement issuesarenot properoutcomestatements.

Outcomestatements:

  • Identifythetarget population.Whois thespecificpopulationtheoutcomeaddresses?
  • Arerealistic. Outcomesmust beattainable. It isunrealistic toexpect that all students willachieve4.0gradepointaverages. Unrealisticoutcomes set the project upfor failureandare“red-flags”for reviewers.
  • Aremeasurable. Outcomesmustdemonstrateclear achievement. Agoodoutcomestatementreferenceseasily quantifiedindicators(e.g., test scores,absenteeism,grades,promotionrates).
  • Havedeadlines. Alloutcomestatementsspecify by whenthey aretobeachieved.
  • Referencestate,local,orschool-definedbaselinedataorstandards. Todetermineif thegoal is bothreasonableandambitious,includelocalbaselinedatafor comparison.

Thisis anexampleof anoutcomestatementcontainingall of theaboveelements:

ByJanuary, 2018, 70%ofhighschool seniors,inthe threeparticipatinghighschools,whowerereadingbelowgradelevel inthe ninthgrade,willachievearatingofsatisfactoryonthedistrict’shighschool reading examination, a20%increaseover currentlevels.

Aproposalshouldidentifythreekinds of outcomes:goals,objectives andmilestones.

TheGoal

Statetheoverall goal of theproject. Thegoal shouldaddress themainproblem identifiedat thebeginningoftheneeds assessment. Whilethereshouldbeat least onegoal,itispossibletohavemultiplegoals;however,themoregoalsestablishedthemorecomplex theprojectbecomes.

Goalsmust havelong-term deadlines. If theprojectperiodcoversmultipleyears, thegoal shouldbeset fortheendof theproject. Iftheprojectperiodis oneyearor less, thegoal may haveadeadlinethat extends beyondtheprojectperiod.

Objectives

Objectivesaretheanticipatedoutcomes tobeaccomplishedforeachyearof theproject.Objectivesmust bedirectlyrelatedtoagoal. Objectivesmaybreak thelong-term goal intosteps or address thefactorscontributingtotheproblem addressedby thegoal.

It isimperativethat objectives beestablishedfor everytargetpopulationtheprojectisdesignedtoaffect. Forinstance,if theproject seeks toincreasestudent achievement by trainingteachers,theremust beobjectives forbothstudents andteachers.

Milestones

Ongoingevaluationisessential tothemanagement of aproject. Sincegoals andobjectivesarenot evaluateduntil theendof theyear,milestonesmust beestablishedtomeasureprogressduringtheyear. Milestonesshouldbeevaluatedduringtheyear,either quarterly or semiannually.

Becausemilestonesareintendedtoindicateprogresstowards anobjective, eachmilestonemust berelatedtoanobjective. Keepinmindthat milestonesareindicators of progress, andmay not usethesamemeasurement tool as theobjectivetowhichthey arerelated. Aprojectmay takemonthsbeforethereis asignificantimpact onclients, ortherateof improvementmaylevel off over time. Milestonesshouldanticipatethis andbegaugedaccordingly. Don’t set overly-ambitiousmilestones.

PlanofOperation

10of 90points

InthePlanof Operationdiscuss thestrategies andactivities tobeusedtoaccomplishtheoutcomes.

Strategies

Strategiesarebroadapproaches(methods,procedures,techniques) employedtoaccomplishoutcomes.Beginthissectionwithajustificationas towhy thestrategieswerechosenandhow they willhelptoachievetheoutcomes.Thejustificationshouldciteresearchtosupport thestrategies. It isessential that theprojectincludestrategies foreachoutcome, andoutcomes foreachstrategy.

Uponidentifyingthestrategies,discuss how they will beadaptedtofit theparticular project. Whoarethetargetclients, andhow will they useorbeaffectedby theprojectservices? Howmanyclientsfrom eachclientgroupwillultimately beservicedby theproject, bothdirectly andindirectly? Explainhow thesenumberswerederived.

Activities

Activitiesarespecific steps takentoaccomplishtheprojectobjectives, andinvolvedirectservicetoclients(students,teachers,parents). Examplesinclude:specific teacher in-services,parentnights, andmentoringsessions.Theymay takeplaceonasingledate(e.g., afieldtrip), oroveraperiodof time(e.g., theuseof aninnovativecurriculum).

Actionsoutlinedinthemanagementplanarenotactivities. Whiletheseactionsareneededtofacilitatedirectservice, they donot render directservicethemselves. Examplesincludethepurchasingof equipment, thehiringof staff, evaluationprocedures, andsteeringcommitteemeetings. Donot address theelements ofthemanagementplaninthissection.

List theactivities thattheprojectwillimplement andrelateeachactivity toastrategy.Activitiesshouldbegroupedwithrespectivestrategies.Discuss how theactivitiesrelatetotherespectivestrategies.Finally,identifywhichclients andhow manywill beservicedby eachactivity.

PLAN OF OPERATION

Please use a separate worksheet for each goal to be addressed with supporting objectives, strategies, activities and milestones. Extend the worksheet as necessary to accommodate the number of strategies or activities planned.

Need to be addressed:
Goal #1 (related to need):
Objective (marking progress toward Goal #1):
Strategy #1 (supporting Goal #1):
Activity #1 (supporting Strategy #1):
Activity #2 (supporting Strategy #1):
Activity #3 (supporting Strategy #1):
Activity #4 (supporting Strategy #1):
Milestones to document progress toward Goal #1):

EvaluationDisseminationPlan

20of 90points

Granteesarerequiredtosubmit annual evaluationreports andquarterlyprogressreports that areconsistentwiththeproject’s goal andobjective(s). Keepinmindthat thefinalevaluationwillconsider theentireproject,beginningtoend. It shouldnot beviewedas whatis doneaftertheproject’scompletion, but as anintegralelementintheproject’splanning,design, andimplementation. Aneffectiveongoingplanthat evaluatesmilestonesquarterlylends tomakinginformeddecisions aboutneededchanges.

EvaluationDisseminationNarrative

Thetopicslistedbelowprovidethebasis for review of theevaluationplanthat shouldbeaddressedwithspecificity.

  • EvaluationQuestions:Whatquestionswill theevaluationseek toanswer, basedontheproject’s goal andobjectives,implementationplan, andanticipatedconsequences?Examinetherelationshipbetweentheexpectedoutcomes,efforts, andwhatisimportant toevaluate.
  • EvaluationStrategy:Whatapproachwill betakentofindanswers totheevaluationquestions?Whatcriteriawill beusedtoassess lessonslearnedfrom theproject?Whatpopulationswill beincludedintheevaluation?
  • Data:Thetypeof dataandmethodof datacollectionwill dependuponthenatureof theprogram, thequestions, andtheevaluationstrategy.Whatmeasurementinstrumentswill beused?Howwill thebaselinebeestablished?Thereshouldbeacombinationof quantitativeandqualitativedataidentified.Howwillproject staff collect datafrom thevarioussites andorganizationsinvolvedintheproject?Whenconsideringdatacollectiontechniques,ensurethat theresourcesaresufficient tousetheproposeddatacollectiontechniques.
  • Evaluator(s):Specify theindividuals or groupswhowill conduct theevaluation.Whatarethequalificationsof each?Whataretheresponsibilities of key personnel?
  • Budgetingof resourcesand staffingforevaluation: Theapplication's budget shouldreflectsufficientfunds tocarry outathoroughanduseful evaluation.
  • Dissemination: Details onhow theevaluationresultswill bedisseminatedtomajor stakeholders andindividualsinterestedintheproject.Information,requirements anddisseminationmethodsdiffer fromstakeholder tostakeholder.WillinformationbepostedontheInternet? Willpresentations bemadeatimportantnationalconferences topresentlessonsfrom theproject?How andwhenwill demonstrations oftheproject beprovided?Descriptions of thetypes of reports andotherby productsdevelopedduringthecourseof theprojectmay bemadeavailable.

ManagementPlan/KeyPersonnel

25of 90points

Wheremanyprojectsfailisinthe management. Submit adetailedandtime-specificmanagementplanwithpre-assignedresponsibilities soas toavoidthefollowingcommonerrors:

  • Failuretosubmitrequiredreports.
  • Failuretoregularlymonitor performanceof theprojectduringimplementation.
  • Failuretostart theprojectontime.
  • Failuretokeepadequateprojectdocumentation.
  • Failuretoassurecontinuity andquality of theprojectinlight of personnelturnover.
  • Changingwithoutapprovalfrom MSDEtheoverallprojectfrom that describedinthegrantproposal.
  • Submissionof biasedor incompleteprojectevaluationdata.
  • Havingnoapprovedprojectfiscalprocedureinplace.
  • Disposal of projectsupplies,equipment, orotherassets inunauthorizedways.
  • Budget deviations duetounauthorizedtransfersfrom onebudget category toanother.
  • Failuretomanageinherentconflicts of policies,perspectives, andphilosophiesbetweenproject’s hostagency andthefunder.
  • Failuretoform partnershipsinwhichallmembersrecognizeandfulfillclearly-definedroles,responsibilities, andcontributions totheproject.
  • Failuretocompletetheprojectinatimelyfashion.

Present aclear discussionof partners,respectiverolesintheproject, thebenefits eachexpects toreceive, andthespecificcontributions eachwillmaketotheproject(financial,equipment,personnel, orotherresources). It isessential that partner commitments bedocumented. Appendletters of commitmentfrom each,describingroles andquantifyingcontributions.Never assumethat reviewerswillautomatically befamiliar withaproposedpartner,what that partner iscapableof or willingtocommit totheproject, or why thepartner isjoininginontheproject.

Theprojectshouldhaveasteeringcommitteetogoverntheproject.Duties of thesteeringcommitteeincludeestablishingmajor program policies,reviewingquarterlyevaluationreports, andmakingrecommendations forprogrammatic change. Steeringcommitteemembersshouldrepresent themajor stakeholdersinthe project.(e.g.,representativesfrom projectpartners,parents,principals,Boardof Education). Steeringcommittees thataretoolargeareoftennon-productive. Projectdirectors act as advisors tothecommittee. Theduties,members andmeetingdates of thecommitteeshouldbeidentifiedinthissectionof theprojectproposal.

List thestaff or personnelinvolvedintheproject’simplementation. Detail individual qualifications? Appendrésumés of key personnel. Howmuchof theProjectDirector’stimeis devotedtothisproject? Aretheresufficient staff hours devotedtotheproject toensureproper implementation? Whatplansareinplacetoensuretheprojectwillcontinueifthereareproblemswithstaff turnover?

ManagementPlanWorksheet

TheManagementPlansupports theimplementationplanbut does not containdirectserviceactivities. DirectserviceactivitiesbelonginthePlanof Operation. Examples of managementactionsarehiringstaff, orderingequipment,developingcurricula, andholdingsteeringcommitteemeetings. Noneof theseactionsrenderdirectserviceitself,but enablesdirectserviceactivities totakeplace.

List ontheManagementPlanWorksheet,inchronologicalorder,allmajor managementactionsnecessarytoimplement theprojectduringthefirst yearof funding. (Worksheets forsubsequent yearswill beincludedinthe actionplans forthoseyears.) Assignanapproximatedateforeachaction. If theactionisongoing,indicatetherangeof dates over whichitwill beimplemented. Awell-consideredmanagementplanassignsresponsibility for actiontoamanagement team member. Indicateontheworksheetthe individual(s) responsibleforaccomplishingeachaction.

Requirementsmadeby thefunder,MSDE,shouldalsobeincludedinthemanagementplan. Theseincludetheannual financialreport,submissionof progressreports toMSDE, andthefinalevaluation. Thefinalreportwillserveas thefinalevaluation.

ManagementPlanWorksheet

ActionDescription / Date / PersonResponsible
BriefDescription#1 / Date / NameorPosition
BriefDescription#2 / Date / NameorPosition
BriefDescription#3 / Date / NameorPosition
. . . / … / …
Funder’sRequirements
QuarterlyReport#1Due / Date / NameorPosition
QuarterlyReport#2Due / Date / NameorPosition
QuarterlyReport#3Due / Date / NameorPosition
FinalEvaluationProcess / Date / NameorPosition
FinancialReportDue / Date / NameorPosition
AnnualEvaluationDue / Date / NameorPosition

ProjectTimeline

TheProjectTimelineis aGantt chartwithcolumnsrepresentingthemonths ofthefundingcycle. It shouldcontainthreesections:management,implementation, andevaluation.

Activity / Month
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12
Management
Hire ProjectDirector / X
Implementation
Teacher Training / X / X / X / X
Evaluation
Submit Mid-Year Evaluation / X

IntegrationwithEducationReform

5of 90points

If aprojectis tobesuccessful,itmust bealignedwiththegoals,efforts andplans of Federal, State, andlocalgovernments, as well as school improvementteams.Thissectionillustrates how theprojectispart ofoveralleducationreform.

Thissectionshouldaddress thefollowingquestions:

  • How does thisprojecthelpmeet thegoals andobjectives of theSchool ImprovementTeam plan?
  • How does thisprojectfitintotheLEA’smaster plan?
  • How does thisprojecthelpmeet Stateeducationalstandards(e.g.,MDCollegeandCareer ReadinessStandards)?
  • How does thisprojecthelpmeetnationaleducationgoals or fitintonationalinitiatives?
  • Doesthisprojectcoordinateeffortswithother projectscurrentlyunderway?
  • Arethereplans for futureprojects that willcoordinatewiththis one?
  • Willresources besharedtoincreaseefficiency andcost effectiveness?

FuturePlans

5of 90points

Describeplans for continuingtheproject beyondthefundingcycle. Howwillit besustainedafter fundingends?Arethereplans for maintainingtheproject’spartnerships?

BUDGETNARRATIVE

Nopagelimit10points

Theproject’sbudgetshoulddetaileveryyearoftheprojectinaseparateitemizedbudgetforeachyear.Itshoulddemonstratetheextenttowhichthebudgetisreasonable,cost-effective,andintegratesothersourcesoffunding.Allcostsdescribedintheprojectnarrativewillappearinthebudgetnarrativeandmusthaveacorrespondingentryintheitemizedbudget forthat year.

Beginthebudgetwithanarrative,justifyinganylineitemexpensesthatarenotobviousfromtheprojectnarrative.Explain howline itemcostswereestimated,iftherationaleisnotobvious.Showhowthebudgetiscost effective.

Immediatelyfollowingthejustification,includealine-item descriptionusingtheformatintheexamplebelow.Grouplineitemsaccordingtothefollowingcategories:SalariesWages,ContractedServices,SuppliesMaterials, Other Charges,Equipment, andTransfers.Total eachcategory.

Eachlinemust bedetailedandspecific. General expenses shouldbebrokendownintospecificlineitems.For example,“meetingexpenses”canbebrokendownintoroom rental,photocopyingandrefreshments.Thereis nopagelimit forthebudget, sobeas detailedas possible.

Clearly show therequestedfunds andin-kindcontributions foreachlineitem. Indicatethesourceof thein-kindcontribution. Bothrequestedandin-kindfunds must bereasonablewithcurrentmarketprices.

Show how theexpenses werecalculatedforeachlineitem.Reviewerswill usethisinformationtodetermineif thebudget isreasonableandcost-effective.

Usetheformatindicatedby thefollowingexcerptfrom asampleBudget Narrative.

LineItem / Calculation / Requested / In-kind / Total
SalariesWages
ProjectDirectorbasedonSACPSsalaryforAdminSpecialistLevel3. / Full-time@$40,000/year / $20,000 / $10,000(SACC)
$10,000(SACPS) / $40,000
TotalSalariesWages: / $20,000 / $20,000 / $40,000
ContractedServices
ComputerTrainerfromABCComputerServices. / $200/dayX4days / $800 / $800
TotalContracted
Services: / $800 / $800
TotalDirectCosts / $20,800 / $20,000 / $40,800
IndirectCosts(3%ofdirectcosts) / $624 / $624
TOTALRequested / $21,424 / $20,000 / $41,424

ItemizedBudgetForm

Thefollowingpagecontains theitemizedbudget form that must besubmittedwiththeapplication. Ifdifficultiesareencounteredincategorizingthebudget, consultwiththefinancial agent inthe local schoolsystem. Thisform must besignedby boththe district’sBudget’sOfficer andtheSuperintendent ordesignee.

PROPOSEDBUDGET

STATE/FEDERAL

See“FinancialReportingManual for MarylandPublicSchools” for accountdescriptions

Check and complete a page foreach funding source &TOTAL

CATEGORY/PROGRAM/ACTIVITY / Object
1
SalariesandWages / 2
ContractedServices / 3
SuppliesMaterials / 4
OtherCharges / 5
Equipment / 8
*Transfers / TotalBudgetbyCategory/Program/Activity
201Administration
Program21GeneralSupport
Program22BusinessSupport
Program23CentralizedSupport
202Mid-levelAdministration
Program15OfficeofPrincipal
Program16InstructionAdmin.Supervisor
203-205InstructionCategories
Program01RegularPrograms
Program02SpecialPrograms
Program03CareerTechnologyPrograms
Program08SchoolLibraryMedia
Program09InstructionalStaffDevelopment
Program10GuidanceServices
Program11PsychologicalServices
Program12AdultEducation
206SpecialEducation
Program04PublicSchl.InstructionalProg.
Program09InstructionalStaffDevelopment
Program15OfficeofthePrincipal
Program16InstructionAdmin.Supervisor
207StudentPersonnelServices
208StudentHealthServices
209StudentTransportation
210OperationofPlant
Program30WarehouseandDistribution
Program31OperatingServices
211MaintenanceofPlant
212FixedCharges
214CommunityServices
215CapitalOutlay
Program34LandandImprovements
Program35BuildingsandAdditions
Program36Remodeling
TOTALEXPENDITURESBYOBJECT

*Includes the following: Payments to anotherLEA, nonpublic school, orstate institution; and Indirect CostRecovery

BudgetReviewedandApproved:LSSFinanceOfficer:

SignaturePhoneNumberDate

MSDEUSEONLY
BudgetApproved
By:
LEAOfficial / Phone # / FAX # / Date / MSDE Official / Date

MSDE 0329 Rev5/99C-1-25

APPENDICES

ThefollowingAppendicesmust beincludedbut not apply tothepagelimit of theProjectNarrative. Includeother Appendices as deemed necessary.

WorksCited

Useastandardformat suchas MLAor ChicagoManual of Style. Beconsistent.

LettersofCommitment

Letters of commitmentarerequiredfrom allprojectpartners, school principals andlocaleducationagenciesparticipatingintheproject. Agoodletter shouldcontainthefollowing:

  • Astatementacknowledgingandsupportingthegoal andobjectives of theproject.
  • Theparticipant’s expectedgainsfrom theproject.
  • Theexpertise,resources andfinancialcontributions theparticipantismakingtowards theproject.Financialcontributions(in-kindandcash) shouldbequantified.
  • Aclear statementdetailingtheresponsibilities of thepartners.
  • Aclear statement that thepartnersintendtocontinuethepartnershipbeyondthegrantperiod.

Letters of commitmentshouldbeaddressedtothesuperintendent orheadof thegranteeagency actingastheleadagency.Lettersshouldnot beaddressedtoMSDE.Alllettersshouldbeincludedintheproposalandnot sent directly toMSDE. Any letters sent directly toMSDEcannot beappendedtotheproposal.

RésumésofKeyPersonnel

Includeaone-pagerésuméforeachpersonplayingakey roleintheproject. Onlyinformationrelevant totheprojectshouldbeincludedintherésumé.

SignedAssurances

Thefollowingpagecontains theassurances that must besignedanddatedby theSuperintendent of theschool systemortheheadofthe granteeagency. Pleasereadallassurancescarefully.

RECIPIENTASSURANCES

Byreceivingfunds underthis grant award, Iherebyagree,asgrantee,tocomplywith thefollowingtermsandconditions:

1.ProgramsandprojectsfundedintotalorinpartthroughthisgrantshalloperateincompliancewithStateandfederalstatutesandregulations,includingbutnotlimitedtothe1964CivilRightsActandamendments,theCodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)34,theElementaryandSecondaryEducationAct,EducationDepartmentGeneralAdministrativeRegulations(EDGAR),theGeneralEducationProvisionsAct(GEPA)andtheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA).Vendors,subgrantees,and/orconsultants;includingofficersandemployeesshallcomplywiththeFamilyEducationalRightsand PrivacyAct atalltimes(20 U.S.C. §1232g).

2.GranteeshallassurethatitsfacilitiesareaccessibletoindividualswithdisabilitiesasrequiredbytheADAandapplicableregulations.Thegranteeshallnotdiscriminateagainstindividualswithdisabilitiesintheprovisionofitsservicesandprogramsunlesstodosowouldbeanundueburdenorresultinfundamentalalterationintheprogramasthosetermsareused in theADAand itsimplementingregulation.TheStatereservesthe righttoinspectthegrantee'sfacilitiesat anytimetodetermineifthegranteeisincompliancewithADA.Thegranteeshallbearsoleresponsibilityforassuringthatitsprogramsconformsfor thesection501c. oftheADA(42 USC12201)asa bonafidebenefitplan.ThegranteeshallindemnifyandholdtheStateharmlessinanyadministrativeproceedingoractionbroughtpursuanttotheADAforalldamages,attorneys'fees,litigationexpensesandcosts,ifsuchactionorproceedingarisesfromtheactsofgrantee,grantee'semployees,agentsorsubgrantees.

3.Byacceptingfederalfunds,the recipients certify that theyhavecompliedwithFederalExecutive Order 12549,DebarmentandSuspensionsetforthin2 CFR§180,andthat,asignedCertificationRegardingDebarment,Suspension,Ineligibility andVoluntaryExclusionformhas been filedwithMaryland StateDepartmentof EducationProjectMonitor.

4.Granteeshallestablish andmaintainfiscal control, fundaccountingproceduresbyfund,asset forth in 2 CFR §200and inapplicablestatuteandregulation.Byacceptingfederalfunds,therecipientagreesthattheamountofthegrantawardiscontingentuponthereceiptoffederalfunds.Grantee shall retainall records of itsfinancialtransactionsandaccounts relatingtothisgrantforaperiodoffiveyears,orlongerifrequiredbyfederalregulation.Suchrecordsshallbemadeavailableforinspectionandaudit byauthorizedrepresentativesofMSDE.

5.Entitiesexpendingfederalfundsof$750,000ormoreinasinglefiscalyear,musthaveanannualfinancialandcomplianceauditin accordancewith 2 CFR Subpart F200.500 et.seq.

6.TheMarylandStateDepartmentofEducation(MSDE)may,asitdeemsnecessary,supervise,evaluateandprovideguidanceanddirectiontogranteeintheconductofactivitiesperformedunderthisgrant.However,MSDE'sfailuretosupervise,evaluateorprovideguidanceanddirectionshallnotrelievegranteeofanyliabilityforfailuretocomplywiththetermsof thegrantaward.

7.GranteeshalladheretoMSDEreportingrequirements,includingthesubmissionofallrequiredreports.Failuretosubmitcomplete,accurate,andtimelyprogressandfinalreportsmayresultinthewithholdingofsubsequentgrantpaymentsuntilsuchtimeasthereportsarefiled.

8.GranteemustreceivepriorwrittenapprovalfromtheMSDEProgramMonitorbeforeimplementinganyprogrammaticchangeswithrespecttothepurposesforwhichthegrantwasawarded.Unlessadivisionimplementsastricterpolicy,granteemustreceivepriorwrittenapprovalfromtheMSDEProgramMonitorforanybudgetaryrealignmentof$1,000or15%oftotalobject,programorcategoryofexpenditure,whicheverisgreater.Granteemustsupporttherequestwiththereasonfortherequestedchange.Budgetrealignmentsmustbesubmittedatleast45dayspriortotheendofthegrantperiod.

9.Requestsforgrantextension,whenallowed, must besubmitted atleast45 daysprior tothe endof thegrantperiod.

10.Granteeshallinsurethatprogramsandprojectsthatofferweb-basedortechnologybandinstructionalproductsorprogramswhicharefundedintotalorinpartthroughthisgrantwilloperateincompliancewithSection508oftheFederalRehabilitationActof 1973as amendedandSection 7-910ofthe EducationArticle,Annotated Codeof Maryland.

11.GranteeshallrepayanyfundsthathavebeendeterminedthroughthefederalorStateauditprocesstohavebeenmisspent,misapplied,orotherwisenotproperlyaccountedfor,andfurtheragreestopayanycollectionfeesthatmaysubsequentlybeimposedbythefederaland/orStategovernment.Therepaymentmaybemadebyanoffsettofundsthatare otherwise due thegrantee.

Ifurthercertifythatallofthefacts,figuresandrepresentationsmadewithrespecttothegrantapplicationandgrantaward,includingexhibitsandattachments,are trueandcorrect tothebest ofmyknowledge,information,andbelief.

Superintendentof Schools/Head of GranteeAgency Date