LEADERSHIP
Partnering with Mass Networks
for Successful Grant Applications and Projects

Mass Networks Education Partnership has been working with Massachusetts districts for nearly a decade. We have a long track record of successful collaboration with schools across the state. Our staff has served on grant application evaluation committees on the regional and national levels and is deeply knowledgeable about both sides of the process. If you are preparing to apply for a grant, we can help you in several ways:

1) PROJECT DESIGN & GRANT WRITING
We can help you design your project and structure your application in ways that significantly increase your chances of success - in both securing the grant and producing a measurable and meaningful outcome to your grant-funded efforts. In addition to strategic design of the overall project, we can help write or edit the proposal.

2) PROGRAMMATIC WORK
We can partner with you to provide some of the professional development and other work that your project design requires. We have active programs in three areas that many districts are using as the focus of their grant applications:

Data Informed Decision Making - our "Data to Learning" program helps you make NCLB-required analysis of MCAS data more than an exercise in paperwork.

• We involve teachers in an examination of data [MCAS and other test questions and the Framework Standards that they assess] that leads to effective classroom action through meaningful discussion and instructional teamwork.
• We help lay the groundwork for future high quality professional development that integrates research-based practice into every day activity.
• We help school leaders devise a communication strategy to give parents and citizens a better understanding of the real meaning of MCAS scores.

Handhelds - Our "Power in Your Hand" program can help you use handhelds to rekindle your school's excitement about education technology.

• We help your leadership team put in place the preconditions for success.
  
• We help you take advantage of the powerful new software that runs on Palm, Pocket PC, and other operating systems.
  
• We help your teachers select the most powerful tools for class management and instructional preparation, as well as the most student-engaging software for classroom use.

Standards-based Assessment - "Teaching to standards" means taking a standards-based approach to assessment - not just on the MCAS but as an integral part of daily classroom instruction and student work. Drawing on our years of experience helping curriculum teams develop Framework-aligned, standards-based curriculum, as well as our expertise helping districts put their technology systems to work supporting educational priorities, we can help districts set up professional development programs around "embedded assessment" as well as work towards both internal feedback systems and external report - including several models of standards-based report cards.

3) PROJECT EVALUATION
Funders are no longer simply interested in creative activities. They want proof that their resources are producing measurable results. Mass Networks staff knows that good evaluation is about creating mechanisms for on-going feedback that both allow you to make needed mid-term course corrections and also keep local stakeholders informed of your progress so they can be supportive of your continued efforts. Don't wait until the last minute - we can help you incorporate a useful and convincing project evaluation component into the structure of your grant application, thereby increasing your chances of success with the funder and with the learners you hope to impact.

For more information on these and other MNEP programs, please contact us:

Laura Christian
lchristian@massnetworks.org
617-783-9988 x121

Cindy Landau
clandau@massnetworks.org
617-783-9988 x114

Erica Levy-Ringel
elevy@massnetworks.org
617-783-9988 x110