Michigan Department of Talent and Economic Development

Page 1

Michigan Department of Talent and Economic Development

Michigan Department of Education

2017-2018 61c(7) Career and Technical Education Innovation and Equipment Competitive Grant

Application for Funding

Introduction

The Michigan Departments of Talent and Economic Development (TED) and Education (MDE) are offering a competitive grant opportunity for districts and intermediate school districts or consortia of districts and intermediate districts that will establish a partnership between high schools, early/middle colleges, business and industry, and public community colleges or universities to develop or enhance career and technical (CTE) opportunities for students. Section 388.1661(c) of the State School Aid Act, as amended, for fiscal 2017-2018, allocated $5,000,000 of new funding to support this grant.

Part I

Purpose of the Grant

The purpose of the CTE Innovation and Equipment Grant is to purchase or lease equipment from private industry partners and for related capacity building activities, develop and sustain partnerships between education and business and industry. The priorities of the grant are to:

Identify and verify local high wage, high skill, high-demand, job opportunities using state and regional business, workforce, and labor market information.
Increase career option awareness of Michigan middle and high school students, adult learners, parents, teachers, and counselors.
In partnership with business and industry that increases work-based learning, apprenticeships, teacher/counselor externships or a combination of these.
Align high school, adult education, community college, and postsecondary curriculum to focus on attainment of career goals.
Require all state-funded skills training programs to justify and share state-purchased assets.
Expand availability of CTE-type training for remote and other geographically disadvantaged students.
Demonstrate a commitment of local or regional partners that will assist in sustaining this initiative beyond the initial grant funding.

Grant Range

Grant awards will range from $100,000 to $1,000,000. Administrative costs are limited to 5% of the grant award.

Total funds available: $5,000,000.

Eligible Applicants

Grants will be made available to districts, intermediate school districts, or consortia of districts and intermediate districts, in partnership with high schools, early/middle colleges, public community colleges or universities, and business and industry.

Assurance of Accuracy

For each application, an assurance must be submitted stating that all information provided with is true and accurate. If, during the implementation of any funded project, MDE establishes that inaccurate or false information was provided in the application, the grant may be rescinded.

Submission and Timeframe Instructions

A complete application package includes:

Applicant Information Form, with Assurances and Certifications
Certification of Fiscal Agency and Participating Agency Form
Budget Summary
Budget Detail
Project Narrative and Abstract

The tentative timeframe for the operation of this grant program is:

November 21, 2017Questions Regarding Grant Application Emailed to OCTE by 11:59 p.m.

November 27, 2017Question/Answer Conference Call with OCTE 10:00 a.m.-11 a.m. EST

December 11, 2017Application Package Due to MDE

December 12, 2017Begins Competitive Review of Applications

September 30, 2018End of Fiscal Year

November 30, 2018Final Performance Report Due

November 30, 2018Final Expenditure Report Due

Complete the required information. Obtain the required signatures on pages 9, 12, and 14. Make a PDF of the entire application package and submit electronically to Jackie Martinez (MDE) no later than 5:00 p.m. Monday, December 11, 2017. Late applications will not be considered for funding.

Funding Carryover

A portion of the grant award may be approved for carryover to the next fiscal year upon written request to the MDE by August 29, 2018.

Rejection of Proposals

The TED and MDE reserve the right to reject any and all proposals received as a result of this announcement.

Required Components

The plan must include, but not be limited to:

Evidence of employer demand for targeted CTE programs and related professional trades occupations, including actual or projected job openings in the form of employer commitment letters, supporting national, state, and/or local labor market information, etc.
Outline of the activities and overall goal of the proposed initiative, including a description of how the proposed initiative will increase career opportunities for students and adult learners in high wage, high skill, high demand occupations.
Description of how local/regional partners were consulted during the planning phase.
Evidence of all funding sources for launching as well as sustaining the program including employer match and/or in-kind match, foundation allowance, local vocational millage, private and community foundations, etc.
Explain how this proposed initiative will offer increased opportunities for work-based learning, apprenticeship opportunities, and/or teacher and counselor externships.
Describe how the proposed initiative aligns with other CTE or community college programs, and efforts made to share curriculum and/or articulate credit.
Explain how equipment purchased or leased with this funding will be shared by industry, secondary education, adult education, community college, and workforce partners. Demonstrate how the equipment is tied to in-demand and high-wage jobs and insure that equipment is not duplicative.
Describe the educational programs that will be offered, by whom, and explain how it expands on CTE opportunities. Include certifications/credentials students can earn.

9.Describe how the proposed initiative will leverage/integrate Michigan’s Going Pro campaign and the Career Pathways Alliance Initiatives and whether there is potential alignment with state-level initiatives. For more information please visit:

10.Demonstrate that there is sufficient employer commitment and partner support to sustain the project beyond the initial grant funding.

11.Provide a timeline of activities to be conducted and the responsible party.

12.Description of the evaluation plan for the activity.

13.Description of the metrics to measure the effectiveness of the project. Includes growth data on program improvement, retention, and development of student and adult learner skills.

14.Budget and budget narrative.

Length of Narrative and Abstract

Proposal narrative will be no longer than 10 pages, including charts and graphs. Appendices in the form of additional attachments may not exceed five pages. Proposals are required to address all identified criteria.

The abstract and narrative will be no less than 12-point font size and no less than one-inch margins. Proposals using less than the required spacing, font, and margin size or that exceed the page requirements will be disqualified.

Selection of Award Recipients

This grant will be awarded through a competitive review process. A review panel composed of individuals representing TED and MDE and will review grant applications. A member of the Governor’s Talent Investment Boardmay also be on the review team. The review of each application will be based on the attached scoring rubric. The proposals most likely to be funded will have completely addressed all the elements described in the Exceptionally Comprehensive and Rigorous column of the rubric and preference will be given to projects that will increase the regional talent pool. The grant awards will be based upon merit and quality as determined by points awarded. It is strongly recommended that the narrative be written in the sequence of the rubrics to facilitate evaluation by the grant readers.

Length of Award

Funding will be effective immediately following the State Superintendent approval of grant awards anticipated January 2018, with an ending date of September 30, 2018, or longer if requested in writing by the grantee on or before August 29, 2018.

Payment Schedule

Payments to the grantee will be made available when the grant award letters are signed by the State Superintendent and will be distributed through the State Aid Management System.

Final Performance Report

A final performance report will be required by November 30, 2018. The final report will consist of: 1) a description of the activities conducted, specifically addressing the outcome of items 11, 12, and 13 of the Required Components, and 2) the Final Expenditure Report.

Final Expenditure Report

A final expenditure report and a final budget detail will be required by November 30, 2018, showing all bills paid in full.

Presentation of Results

Grantees agree to participate as requested by the State Michigan, in at least one conference or workshop presentation on the results of the grant activities.

State of Michigan Monitoring Visits

All grant awards are subject to onsite grant review. Project staff must maintain and make available, in the event of a monitoring visit, evidence to support the complete implementation of the proposed project.

Ownership of Materials Produced

Ownership of products resulting from the CTE Innovation and Equipment Competitive Grant, which are subject to copyright and have economic value, shall remain with the state of Michigan unless such ownership is explicitly waived. This stipulation covers recipients, as well as subcontractors receiving funds through this grant program.

Where to Obtain Help

Questions regarding the application and submission procedures should be directed to Lisa Seigel, Office of Career and Technical Education, Michigan Department of Education, or 517-241-2072.

Part II

Review Criteria Rubric

Following is a rubric to help proposal writers discern whether they have sufficiently addressed all the required elements and to help reviewers score the proposals. It is strongly suggested the narrative be written in the sequence of the rubric.

Projects that increase the regional talent pool will be given preference.

Evidence of employer demand for targeted CTE programs and related professional trades occupations, including actual or projected job openings in the form of employer commitment letters, supporting national, state, and/or local labor market information. 10 points

Lacks adequate data and has marginal support from employers and will have low impact.
0-3 points
Good description of the available data sources and commitment/need of employers.
4-7 points
Thorough and extensive supportive data from valid and reliable sources, and demonstrates strong employer initiative, involvement, and commitment.
8-10 points

Outline of the activities and overall goal of the proposed initiative, including a description of how the proposed initiative will increase career opportunities for students and adult learners in high wage, high skill, high demand occupations. 10 points

Marginally comprehensive plan, lacks detail, low impact to students.
0-3 points
Comprehensive, complete, and rigorous plan that will increase options for students and increase available talent for employers.
4-7 points
Exceptionally well documented plan aligned to the local population and business/industry needs, and will impact talent in the region.
8-10 points

Description of how local/regional partners were consulted during the planning phase. 10 points

Incomplete or minimal information provided.
0-3 points
Well documented list of partners and their involvement to achieve the outcomes of the proposal.
4-7 points
Strong relationship with partners who are invested in achieving the outcomes of the proposal, including long term commitments.
8-10 points

Evidence of all funding sources used for launching, as well as sustaining the program, including employer match and/or in-kind match, foundation allowance, local vocational millage, private and community foundations. 10 points

A vague description of the sources that will support the project – lacking specifics.
0-3 points
A detailed description of all forms of financial support for the project that demonstrate sustainability.
4-7 points
A solid and comprehensive financial plan that includes multiple partners and their specific investment as well as a longterm relationship and significant leadership involvement.
8-10 points

Explain how this proposed initiative will offer increased opportunities for work-based learning, apprenticeship opportunities, and/or teacher and counselor externships. 5 points

Minimal opportunities available for students, teachers, and counselors.
0-1 point
Detailed description of various activities that will be made available.
2-3 points
Multiple opportunities planned, including all partners that will be involved and the types of experiences that will be available.
4-5 points

Describe how the proposed initiative aligns with other CTE or community college programs, and how the partners have or will share curriculum and/or awarded articulated credit. 5 points

Plan Identifies education partners but lacks specifics.
0-1 point
Detailed plan for communication and alignment with educational partners.
2-3 points
Well-developed and detailed timeline for aligning between educational entities, including MOU or other articulation plans and/or agreements.
4-5 points

Explain how equipment purchased or leased with this funding (or use of existing equipment) will be shared by industry, secondary education, adult education, community college, and workforce partners and demonstrate how the equipment is tied to in-demand and high wage jobs. 5 points

References the plan to share and align with needed jobs, but lacks detail.
0-1 point
Plan provides a detailed description of how all entities will share equipment and addresses data on job demand.
2-3 points
Extensive description of shared resources among all partners that demonstrates a nonduplicative, regional plan for providing up-to-date equipment to all educational programs that address high demand jobs in the region.
4-5 points

Describe the educational programs that will be offered, by whom, and explain how it expands on Career and Technical Education opportunities. Include certifications/credentials students can earn. 5 points

List of programs that will be made available to students.
0-1 point
Comprehensive list of programs that will become available through the project and the credentials available to students.
2-3 points
Detailed plan with a timeline for offering state-approved secondary and/or postsecondary programs that lead to additional opportunities for students in the region and awards employervalued credentials where available.
4-5 points

Describe how the proposed initiative will leverage/integrate Michigan’s Going Pro campaign and the Career Pathways Alliance Initiatives and whether there is potential alignment with state-level initiatives. For more information please visit: 5 points

Lacks detail of a communication and outreach plan that addresses other state initiatives.
0-1 point
Provides a communication and outreach plan to inform stakeholders and invite participation of other state initiatives in the region.
2-3 points
All stakeholders and state initiatives are included in a comprehensive, regional plan to inform faculty, advisors, administrators, parents, and students.
4-5 points

Demonstrate that there is sufficient employer commitment and partner support to sustain the project beyond the initial grant funding. 10 points

Lack of meaningful commitment by employers.
0-3 points
Evidence of employer agreement and commitment to the project, including future support.
4-7 points
Solid commitment and agreement from employers, including a longterm strategy of continued investment for multiple years.
8-10 points

Provide a timeline of activities to be conducted and the responsible party for each activity. 10 points

Incomplete plan for implementation that lacks specifics about projectresponsibilities and timelines for activities.
0-3 points
Detailed project management design with timeline, steps for implementing, and personnel responsible for each stage of the project.
4-7 points
Comprehensive, multi-year schedule of activities that includes all aspects of the project and stage of implementation. Includes all stakeholders and key personnel, their project responsibilities, and the amount of time assigned to the activities.
8-10 points

A description of the evaluation plan for each of the activities. 5 points

Identification of evaluation design, but does not provide a description of measures of effectiveness of outcomes.
0-1 point
Evaluation design includes acceptable means to evaluate effectiveness of the implementation of the activities to promote the completion of the activities.
2-3 points
Comprehensive and detailed design for evaluation that includes specific timelines, ongoing feedback and adjustment process, and periodic reporting to stakeholders on the accomplishment and challenges.
4-5 points

Description of the metrics to measure the effectiveness of the project. Includes growth data on program improvement, retention, and development of student and adult learner skills. 5 points

No detail given on metrics that will be used.
0-1 point
Provides acceptable metrics to be used to measure effectiveness of the activities.
2-3 points
Comprehensive method using reliable data to measure the outcomes of the activities and how they increased available talent in the region.
4-5 points

Budget and budget detail. 5 points

The budget is limited in scope, does not meet the intent of the grant outcomes and does not provide a detailed plan of how grant funds will be expended.
0-1 point
The budget is cost effective, complete, non-duplicative, and provides information on all costs associated with the grant activities.
2-3 points
The budget is complete, cost effective, clearly supports the project, leveraging dollars and resources, eliminates duplication, and correlates budget items to project objectives and anticipated results.
4-5 points

Michigan Department of Talent and Economic Development

Michigan Department of Education

2017-2018 61c(7) Career and Technical Education Innovation and Equipment Competitive Grant

Applicant Information

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Grant Funds Requested:$

Assurances and Certification: By submitting this electronic application, the superintendent or authorized official certifies that they agree to perform all actions and support all intentions stated in the Assurances and Certifications on pages8-10 and will comply with all state and federal regulations and requirements pertaining to this program. The applicant certifies further that the information submitted on this application is true and correct.