Dighton-Rehoboth Regional Schools Receive Competitive Grant from MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

(DIGHTON, MA) The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) recently announced a grant award to the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional Schools (DRRSD) in the amount of $50,000.00 over the course of two school years. This grant titled Resource Reallocation to District Priorities grant (Fund Code 110), (RADAR
grant) was highly competitive. DRRSD received the highest allowable amount for a single school district. The RADAR grant is aimed at
●Examining and questioning resource allocation in more depth, using data available in districts along with tools provided by ESE, particularly new Resource Allocation and District Action Reports (RADAR)
●Making meaningful changes in resource allocation to support best practices and district improvement strategies
●Measuring the impact of resource shifts on the desired outcomes. Districts awarded grants are paired with an action research consultant who will help gather data, measure impact and report results.

Funds may be used to cover costs associated with implementing the grant and overseeing the implementation and evaluation of the proposed changes. DRRSD’s grant was specifically written to increase and enhance science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) learning in the district through integrated curriculum unit design, professional development for teachers, equipment and increased computer science courses. As part of DRRSD’s multi-year initiative to increase active student engagement STEAM, this grant will not only provide funding for STEAM but will also help the district gauge the direct impact of that funding through a process termed A-ROI or Academic Return on Investment.

DESE commented on the importance of the RADAR grant stating, “In these times of limited budget increases and greater student needs, districts must make the most of their resources of money, people, and time. District superintendents recognize the importance of working strategically with available resources. Seventy- five percent of superintendent respondents to the Department's most recent Views of Instruction, State Standards, Teaching, and Assessment (VISTA) survey indicated that deployment of resources to maximize teaching and learning is a challenge.”

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Anthony C. Azar also echoed those comments by saying, “We are extremely grateful for the resources availed to our school district by this grant. It provides us additional means to support our two overarching district goals: 1) Increase Student Achievement and, 2) Sustain the financial stability of both member towns.”

Additionally, with funds from a federal Student Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) grant, the Department has awarded nine grants for proposals to implement specific reallocations of resources toward district priorities by identifying areas where resource use is less efficient and effective. By working closely with these districts over the next two years, the Department will gain a greater understanding of how to support all districts in using resources effectively.



The grant recipients are as follows:

District/Group
SEEM Collaborative for Woburn, Wilmington, North
Reading, Melrose, Wakefield, Stoneham, Reading
Andover
Dighton-Rehoboth
North Adams for Adams-Cheshire, North Adams and
North Berkshire School Union
Waltham
Berkshire Hills
Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical
Marblehead
Maynard

For more information on the DRRSD RADAR grant contact Kerri Anne Quinlan-Zhou, kquinlan- zhou@drregional.org, 508-252-5000, ext 5146.