Augusta – The Maine Department of Education today announced that 11 new EMBRACE grants have been awarded to school districts and other education agencies. Made available as part of the statewide regionalization initiative, the round-two EMBRACE grants prioritize Enabling Maine students to Benefit from Regional and Coordinated approaches to Education. The awardees are partnering on a regional level to improve educational opportunities for students.
A total of 19 applications were received by the Department for the Fund for the Efficient Delivery of Educational Services (FEDES) grant, which was made available to districts last fall. Of those 19 applications, 11 have been conditionally awarded funding. Based on the funding requests, totaling $4.6 million, the 11 awardees are projected to save over $10 million in a 5-year period.
In the first round of EMBRACE grants in 2017, 10 grantees were awarded a total of $4.5 million in funds for regionalization efforts, and in 2019 an additional $5 million in competitive grant opportunities will be available as part of the EMBRACE initiative.
Round two EMBRACE (FEDES) grant project descriptions:
Creating a Strong and Sustainable Regional Collaborative for Professional Development in Washington County
This project will re-establish the Washington County Consortium by creating a sustainable infrastructure for offering professional development in Washington county. This regional effort is intended to provide students with excellent school leaders and teachers.
Participants:
- Lead SAU – Calais Public Schools
- Cherryfield Public Schools
- Maine Indian Education
- RSU 37/MSAD 37 (Addison, Columbia, Columbia Falls, Harrington, Milbridge)
- AOS 77 (Alexander, Baring Plantation, Charlotte, Crawford, Dennysville, Eastport, Pembroke, Perry, Robbinston, RSU 85/MSAD 19 (Lubec))
- AOS 90 (Baileyville, Carroll Plantation, Cooper, Drew Plantation, East Range CSD (Codyville Plantation, Topsfield), Grand Lake Stream Plantation, Lakeville, Lee, Macwahoc Plantation, Meddybemps, Princeton, Reed Plantation, RSU 30/MSAD 30 (Lee, Springfield, Webster Plantation, Winn)
- AOS 96 (Cutler, East Machias, Jonesboro, Machias, Machiasport, Marshfield, Northfield, Roque Bluffs, Wesley, Whiting, Whitneyville)
- Washington Academy
- UM Machias
- Washington County Consortium
- Washington County Leadership Team
Great Falls Regional Support for Preschoolers with Disabilities
This project will support the transition of special education services for 3- to 5-year olds into the Lewiston School Department with full implementation by August 2020 to ensure a successful early integration of students into district schools.
Participants:
- Lead SAU – Lewiston Public Schools
- Auburn Public Schools
- RSU 16 (Mechanic Falls, Minot, Poland)
- RSU 52/MSAD 52 (Green, Leeds, Turner)
Greater Biddeford CDS Regionalization Project
This project will support the transition of special education services for 3- to 5-year olds into the Biddeford School Department with full implementation by school-year 2021 to ensure a successful early integration of students into district schools.
Participants:
- Lead SAU – Biddeford Public Schools
- Dayton Public Schools
Kennebec Valley Expanded STEAM Outreach Project
This project will build on clear evidence of improved student outcomes to support the expansion of the current STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) program, which was funded through the round-one EBRACE grant. STEM-related arts will be added to the curriculum and student access will be increased. The STEAM program will introduce middle school students to STEAM educational experiences and career pathways.
Participants:
- Lead SAU – RSU 74 (Anson, Embden, New Portland, Solon)
- RSU 83/MSAD 13 (Bingham, Moscow)
- RSU 59/MSAD 59 (Madison)
Kennebec Valley Whatever It Takes School
This project will support a middle school alternative education program that aims to reduce dropout and truancy rates by providing new and improved opportunities for at- risk students with multiple pathways for achievement.
Participants:
- Lead SAU – RSU 59/MSAD 59 (Madison)
- RSU 74 (Anson, Embden, New Portland, Solon)
- RSU 83/MSAD 13 (Bingham, Moscow)
Northern Penobscot Regional Partnership
This project will support the development of a flexible regional service center that initially focuses on increasing program opportunities for students by creating an alternative education program, a shared world language program, and providing access to regional student support services.
Participants:
- Lead SAU – RSU 67 (Chester, Lincoln, Mattawamkeag)
- East Millinocket Public Schools
- Medway Public Schools
- Millinocket Public Schools
- RSU 30/MSAD 30 (Lee, Springfield, Webster Plantation, Winn)
PBIS Regional Professional Development Cohort
This project will create a sustainable, regional professional development program with a multi-tiered Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework using evidence-based behavioral practices shown to improve academic achievement and social-emotional growth among students as well as improving overall school climate.
Participants:
- Lead SAU – RSU 3/MSAD 3 (Brooks, Freedom, Jackson, Knox, Liberty, Monroe, Montville, Thorndike, Troy, Unity, Waldo)
- Brewer Community School
- Indian Island School
- RSU 20 (Searsport, Stockton Springs)
- Wiscasset Elementary School
- University of Maine
Southern Aroostook Area Regional Alternative Center
This project will create a high school alternative education program that will provide students with learning opportunities in career and technical education with the aim of increasing individual achievement levels and graduation rates in a personalized learning environment.
Participants:
- Lead SAU – RSU 29/MSAD 29 (Hammond, Houlton, Littleton, Monticello)
- RSU 50 (Crystal, Dyer Brook, Hersey, Island Falls, Merrill, Moro Plantation, Mount Chase, Oakfield, Patten, Sherman, Smyrna, Staceyville)
- RSU 70/MSAD 70 (Amity, Haynesville, Hodgdon, Linneus, Ludlow, New Limerick)
- RSU 84/MSAD 14 (Danforth, Weston)
Unified Valley Cooperative Project
This project will support the development of a regional service center that will share central administration services and resources. This increased efficiency will allow resources to be reallocated to student programming including career education, world language classes, skill certification, and an innovation lab.
Participants:
- Lead SAU – MSAD 27 (Fort Kent, New Canada, St. Francis, St. John Plantation, Wallagrass)
- Madawaska Public Schools
- RSU 33/MSAD 33 (Frenchville, St. Agatha)
Westbrook-Gorham Adult CTE Program
This project will support the creation of a regional adult education program that will provide adult learners access to career and technical education that will prepare them for high-skill, high-demand occupations that have defined pathways for advancement.
Participants:
- Lead SAU – Westbrook Public Schools
- Gorham Public Schools
Western Maine Standard Analysis
This project will support an audit of the programming and graduation standards across the regional members. The analysis will lead to greater uniformity of standards across districts to support seamless transfer of student achievement from school to school and collaborative staff development.
Participants:
- Lead SAU – RSU 73 (Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls)
- RSU 9 (Chesterville, Farmington, Industry, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Starks, Temple, Vienna, Weld, Wilton)
- RSU 10 (Buckfield, Hanover, Hartford, Mexico, Roxbury, Rumford, Sumner)
- RSU 44/MSAD 44 (Bethel, Greenwood, Newry, Woodstock)
- RSU 56 (Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Peru)
- RSU 58 (Avon, Kingfield, Phillips, Strong)
- RSU 59/MSAD 59 (Madison)
- RSU 74 (Anson, Embden, New Portland, Solon)
- Western Maine Education Collaborative
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