Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A. Education § 9101. Innovative Instruction and Tutoring Grant Program Fund; standards; tutoring plan

1. Innovative Instruction and Tutoring Grant Program Fund. The Innovative Instruction and Tutoring Grant Program Fund, referred to in this chapter as “the fund,” is established in the department to encourage the facilitation of innovative instruction and tutoring programs, including so-called high-impact tutoring, that address learning loss or unfinished learning through the use of project-based learning and other interdisciplinary approaches. Eligible local education providers throughout the State may be awarded grants upon approval of their applications. The commissioner shall administer the fund. For the purposes of this chapter, “local education provider” means a school administrative unit, a school in the unorganized territory under chapter 119, a public charter school under chapter 112 or a school or program established under subpart 2.

2. Standards for award of grants. The commissioner shall establish eligibility standards for the award of grants from the fund under this section to local education providers and determine the allowable uses of grant money by eligible local education providers, including but not limited to hiring or contracting for program staff; providing stipends or other incentives to teachers, paraprofessionals, retired teachers and community organizations; developing curricula and related supplies; covering costs associated with renting or purchasing physical space for programming; and paying administrative expenses.

3. Innovative instruction and tutoring program plan; eligibility. To be eligible for a grant under this section, a local education provider must submit an innovative instruction and tutoring program plan to the department. To the extent practicable, the plan must include a program that is:

If the innovative instruction and tutoring program plan does not include all of the components in this subsection, the plan must address the reason for the modification or omission and how the local education provider intends to achieve the same desired student outcomes.

4. Priority. The commissioner shall prioritize grant awards for innovative instruction and tutoring program plans submitted pursuant to subsection 3 that address educational disparities due to race or income, serve students from low-income households or underserved students to address learning loss or unfinished learning due to extended gaps or interruptions in a student's education. The commissioner shall also prioritize grant awards for innovative instruction and tutoring program plans submitted pursuant to subsection 3 that include partnerships with community-based programs.