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Special Education High Quality Incentives Grant

Application Response Summary

Applicant Information

Application Type:

Applicant Information:

Executive Summary

A. Key Objectives and Anticipated Outcomes

Applicants should provide a concise, comprehensive overview of the proposal. The executive summary should provide a clear statement of the primary objectives of the proposed programming and include the following components:

The specific student population to be served.
How the program will enhance or establish in-district or regional special education services.
Anticipated short-term and long-term outcomes for students and the district.

Grant Narrative

A. Need for the Competitive Grant

Describe the district’s mission, vision, and/or core values as it relates to inclusive programming for students.

Describe the district’s current needs and challenges related to supporting students with disabilities in their least restrictive environment and how the district will address the identified needs.

B. Description of Proposed Programming

Describe the following:

Programming location and student population served.
Description of coordination of regional programming, if applicable.
Staffing needs for the programming and services.
Professional development needs for implementation.
Assistive Technology or materials necessary to implement programming and services.
General education access and integration.
Any necessary capital improvement needs, if applicable.

C. Family & Community Engagement

What strategies and activities do you propose to engage parents/families and students in this work?

Identify any training needs for parents/families to support this work.

D. Sustainability Plan

Describe any existing efforts/initiatives related to high quality, inclusive programming for students with disabilities.

If the grant is awarded, how will the district sustain programming beyond the grant period?

E. Evaluation & Measurable Outcomes

How will the district collect, analyze, and use data to guide decision-making, support continuous improvement, and ensure accountability for implementation and outcomes? This may include:

Measurable indicators of student outcomes.
Methods for tracking increased time with non-disabled peers.
Monitoring changes/trends in student outplacements.
Use of data to inform continuous improvement.

Reporting Note: Not later than September 30, 2027, and annually thereafter, any local or regional board of education that has received a grant under the program in the prior fiscal year shall submit a report to the Commissioner of Education that assesses the impact of the grant on student outcomes, including the increase in time with non-disabled peers across the school district and the number of outplaced students, and district expenditures. The report shall contain any information and data requested by the CSDE Commissioner.

Capital Improvement Information

1. Describe your Capital Improvement needs that align with this proposal.

2. What do you plan to accomplish with this project?

3. Provide an outline of your projected timeline/schedule and key milestones with dates.

4. What is the estimated project cost? Please include quote or justification of cost estimate.

5. If the actual cost exceeds the estimated projection and the district is awarded the amount in this application, would the district be able to complete the project by combining this grant with another funding source?

If you answered “Yes,” describe.

Budget Information

Program Budget Detail

Note: Up to $350,000 for an individual proposal. Up to $500,000 for a collaborative proposal.

Program Budget Narrative

Provide a narrative that details the costs associated with each line item.

Capital Improvement Budget Detail

Note: Up to $350,000 for an individual proposal. Up to $500,000 for a collaborative proposal.

Capital Improvement Budget Narrative

Provide a narrative that details the costs associated with each line item.

Letters of Commitment

If developing collaborative programming, each district must submit a letter of commitment supporting the proposed program.

CSDE Review and Award Information

The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) will review all completed applications submitted by the deadline. Grant awards will be negotiated and finalized, with modifications as needed, and successful applicants will be required to complete all mandatory assurances affirming full compliance with CSDE and all other relevant regulations before any award is issued.

Applications will be evaluated using a scoring rubric designed to ensure that successful applicants are well positioned to meet the requirements of the Special Education High Quality Special Education Grant.

The CSDE reserves the right to award grants in whole or in part, to reject any proposal in whole or in part, and to waive technical defects, irregularities, or omissions when, in its judgment, doing so is in the best interest of the state. After reviewing submitted applications, the CSDE may negotiate specific grant amounts and may select certain grantees, regardless of points awarded, to meet state requirements or the priorities of the State Board of Education.

The CSDE also reserves the right to adjust grant award amounts as necessary to align with available state funding. The level of funding and the effective dates of awarded projects will be specified in the official grant award notification. All awards are contingent upon the availability of state funds, and no award is final until the grant award letter is executed.

All submitted proposals will be retained by the CSDE and will become part of the public domain.

Freedom of Information Act Notice

All of the information contained in any proposal submitted in response to this RFP is subject to the provisions of the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), C.G.S. Sections 1-200 et seq. The FOIA states that, except as provided by Federal or State law, records maintained by any public agency, as defined in FOIA, are public records, and every person has the right to inspect and request a copy of such records.

Assurances and Signature

Please enter the following information, read the Statement of Assurances, and then sign below:

I, the undersigned authorized official, hereby certify that these assurances shall be fully implemented.

Signature of Authorized Official: