Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Establishing Advanced Placement African American Studies Grant-Competitive
Division: Teaching and Learning Services
Office: Executive Director
View Published NGO Document (Microsoft Word)
Awardee List (Microsoft Word)
Purpose:
The intent of the Establishing Advanced Placement African-America Studies Grant is to support local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish a section(s) of the Advanced Placement – African American Studies (AP AAS) course. This competitive grant coincides with The College Board’s recent announcement to expand the current Advanced Placement (AP) course options to include African American Studies. Funds may be used for: 1) Teacher training; 2) Purchasing of high-quality resources and materials; 3) Providing enrichment opportunities to students; and 4) Covering testing fees for students (Spring ’24).
As part of the NGO application process, LEAs will submit plans outlining how the anticipated funds will help realize the larger vision for this grant, which aims to yield, at a minimum:
- 30 teachers across the state formally trained to teach AP AAS;
- 30 high schools to offer, at minimum, one section of AP AAS in the Fall of ’24; and
- Approximately 300-600 students enrolled in AP AAS for the Fall ’24 school year.
The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) has established a single nine month project period grant program. This grant program is open to New Jersey LEAs serving students in grades 9-12 if they currently participate in the AP AAS pilot program or intend to open a section of AP AAS in the 2024-2025 school year.
Applicants may apply for up to $10,000. Based on the availability of FY24 State appropriations, this grant program will begin April 1, 2024 and will end on December 31, 2024.
Eligible Agencies: NJ LEAs Grades 9-12
Grant Type: Competitive
Number of Award(s) Anticipated: 30
Total Amt. Available: $300,000
Application Due Date: 2/13/2024
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
1. Can we use funds to pay for workshops for teachers during summer?
Yes. Both payment for professional learning and stipends to pay for teachers' time to attend an AP AAS workshop, training, professional development, or other activity associated with the NGO outside of their existing contracted time is allowable through this grant opportunity. Please be sure to refer to local collective bargaining policies as you plan. (See section II.9 in the NGO)
2. Can the funds be used for tutoring services directly related to the AP AAS course?
Yes. However, to be considered an allowable expense, all activities should be accompanied by a clearly stated rationale connected to the statement of need and project description. (See section II.5 in the NGO)
3. Are private schools eligible for this grant?
No, private schools are not eligible to apply. This grant is open to New Jersey Local Educational Agencies (LEAs), which include public, Charter, and Renaissance Schools, serving students in grades 9-12 if they currently participate in the AP AAS pilot program or intend to open a section of AP AAS in the 2024-2025 school year. (See sections I.1.3 and II.7. in the NGO)
4. If the district is not currently in the College Board 23-24 AP AAS Pilot cohort, can they still apply?
Yes. All LEAs serving students in grades 9-12 in New Jersey are eligible for funding if they currently participate in the AP AAS pilot program or intend to open a section of AP AAS in the 2024-2025 school year. (See section I.1.3. in the NGO)
5. If we have a section of AP African American Studies already, can we use this money to train another staff member and purchase instructional supplies or do we need to add a second class?
Yes, this grant opportunity can be used to enrich or expand AAS-centered initiatives within the LEA. Applicants are asked to provide a narrative or explanation that clearly articulates the rationale connected to the statement of need and project description. (See section II.5 in the NGO)
6. When is the application due?
February 13, 2024, by 4:00 pm EST (See section I.5 in the NGO)
7. Can my district apply if our course roster has already been approved?
The eligibility requirement states the district must intend to open the AP AAS course in Fall 2024 (see section I.1.3. in the NGO). It may be necessary for applicants to seek an addendum to the course roster before applying.
8. Can teachers complete the application themselves?
Application submissions must be approved by the local Board of Education, Board of Directors, or similar governing body. The applicant is responsible for obtaining institutional approval and maintaining a record of it as part of an audit file. An applicant must certify in the Statement of Assurances, they have the legal authority to apply for funds made available under the requirements for the grant program application, and has the institutional, managerial and financial capacity (including funds sufficient to pay the federal/state/local share of project costs, as appropriate) to ensure proper planning, management and completion of the project described in the grant application. If you are a classroom teacher interested in completing an application, please consult with your district’s leadership team to determine the level of commitment and seek guidance prior to applying.
9. [Can we] use grant funds to pay for activities that will take place outside the grant period"
No. According to Section II.10, Ineligible Costs, the NJDOE will not reimburse grantees or sub-grantees for ineligible costs which include, “Outside of Grant Term: costs incurred outside of the grant term.” The grant period for this NGO is April 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. Grant funds are to be used solely for the costs associated with implementing the grant program during the grant period.
10. What are the required uploads?
The required uploads are indicated throughout the NGO with language such as, “demonstrate” or “Documentation may include…” signaling an upload is necessary. Please see the chart below to ensure you have uploaded the necessary documents.
|
Upload # |
Section | Statement Line |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Needs (pg. 11) | B. |
| #2 | Needs (pg. 11) *if applicable* | B.a.i |
| #3 | Needs (pg.11) | D. |
| #4 | Project Description – Culture (pg. 12) | A.a.1. |
| #5 | Project Description – Culture (pg. 12) | A.a.iii |
| #6 | Project Description – Culture (pg.12) | A.a.iv.1.a |
| #7 | Project Description – Teacher Selection/Training (pg. 13) | D.a.iii |
| #8 | Project Description – Teacher Selection/Training (pg. 13) | D.a.v |
| #9 | Project Description – Student Success (pg. 14) | F.a.iii |