Sheff Interdistrict Magnet Schools Summer Enrichment

Connecticut State Department of Education

Charlene M. Russell-Tucker

Commissioner of Education

Office of Strategic Planning and Partnerships

Application for the Sheff Interdistrict Magnet Schools Summer Enrichment Grant

Section 10-264l(c)(3) of the Connecticut General Statutes

Summer 2026

RFP 856

Application Due Date: March 20, 2026

Published: February 13, 2026

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

The Connecticut State Department of Education is committed to a policy of equal opportunity/affirmative action for all qualified persons. The Connecticut Department of Education does not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis of: race; color; religious creed; age; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; workplace hazards to reproductive systems; gender identity or expression; marital status; national origin; ancestry; retaliation for previously opposed discrimination or coercion; intellectual disability; genetic information; learning disability; physical disability (including, but not limited to, blindness); mental disability (past/present history thereof); military or veteran status; status as a victim of domestic violence; or criminal record in state employment, in accordance with applicable statutes, unless there is a bona fide occupational qualification excluding persons in any of the aforementioned protected classes. Inquiries regarding the Connecticut State Department of Education's nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: Attorney Louis Todisco, Connecticut State Department of Education, by mail 450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 605, Hartford, CT 06103-1841; or by telephone 860-713-6594; or by email louis.todisco@ct.gov.

Section I. Background

On April 18, 1989, eighteen school-aged children from the metropolitan Hartford, Connecticut area, acting through their parents, commenced the civil action Sheff v. O'Neill (Sheff) in the Hartford Superior Court against the State of Connecticut. In 1996, the Connecticut Supreme Court decided the case and held that Hartford-resident minority students are entitled to attend school in reduced isolation settings as a matter of educational equity under the Connecticut State Constitution. The Court did not specify a goal, remedy, or timetable to resolve the problem, but instead, assigned responsibility for reducing isolation to the legislative and executive branches. Over the last 26 years, the State has engaged extensive human and fiscal resources to address such isolation through voluntary participation in interdistrict programming, including interdistrict magnet schools authorized by Section 10-264l of the Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.). Interdistrict magnet schools in the Sheff Region are public schools operated by Hartford Public Schools, school districts within the Sheff Region and/or third parties or a consortium of school districts that offer high quality, themed education options for Hartford-resident students and suburban students to support racial, ethnic and economic diversity goals. The Sheff Region as defined in the Sheff case includes the school districts of Avon, Bloomfield, Canton, East Granby, East Hartford, East Windsor, Ellington, Farmington, Glastonbury, Granby, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, South Windsor, Suffield, Vernon, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor, and Windsor Locks. In terms of student participation, the Region extends to nearly all of the towns in the Greater Hartford Region.

Since 2003, the plaintiffs and the State have entered into several sequential stipulated agreements from Phase I through Phase IV, and, most recently, a Phase V final agreement, spelling out certain goals for reducing racial and ethnic isolation in Hartford and the steps the state would take to achieve such goals. The final agreement, referred to as the was signed by the state defendants, the plaintiffs and the City of Hartford on January 26, 2022, and the Connecticut Superior Court on March 21, 2022 as an Order of the Court. The CCP reflects the final agreement of the parties and articulates a plan for meeting demand of Hartford-resident students for a diverse educational environment through a sustainable system of integrated education. Interdistrict magnet schools, the Open Choice Program, and the Hartford Region Technical High Schools within the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) provide the primary means for reducing isolation pursuant to the various agreements among the parties and play a consequential role in achieving the goals of the CCP. In the 2024-25 school year, more than 23,000 Connecticut students attended Sheff magnet schools, the Open Choice Program or a Hartford Region Technical High School, including over 11,500 Hartford-resident students.

The CCP articulates a complex and detailed strategic blueprint to increase opportunities for integrated, high quality educational opportunities for Hartford-resident students and students throughout Connecticut through a series of 42 commitments. These commitments reflect the State priority to support academic and social-emotional development of students by offering high-quality, integrated educational programming through interdistrict school choice options.

Section II. Purpose

Given the unique nature of interdistrict programs, summer programming provides an essential educational continuum between school years that builds community, strengthens student connections, and mitigates summer learning loss. Through this grant, the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) seeks to expand enrichment and extracurricular programming opportunities to include summer enrichment offerings for interdistrict magnet schools in the Sheff Region to provide continuous opportunities to access integrated settings that support social, emotional, and academic growth.

The goal of the Sheff Interdistrict Magnet Schools Summer Enrichment Grant is to increase the involvement and participation of students in enrichment/extracurricular activities to support academic development, students' social-emotional well-being, and build community among student participants pursuant to the commitments in the CCP. Thus, the purpose of this grant is to serve four (4) key priorities:

provide students with access to enriching academic activities and supports through summer programming to promote student achievement, skills development and leadership;

provide a continuum of academic and extracurricular enrichment between school years to promote academic and social engagement over the summer months;

build school community among student participants in Sheff interdistrict magnet programs through fun and engaging enrichment and extracurricular activities; and

support student social-emotional development of student participants.

Section III. Eligible Applicants

Within available appropriations, the Commissioner of Education may make grants for academic support programs and summer school educational programs to the entities listed in C.G.S. 10-264l(c)(3) which operate the interdistrict magnet schools set forth in Appendix A. These entities provide academic support programs and summer school educational programs approved by the Commissioner and assist the state in meeting its obligations pursuant to the decision in Sheff and the CCP. The CSDE will award these academic and social support grants for summer programming through a competitive grant process to such eligible interdistrict magnet schools based on the application requirements set forth herein. As indicated in Appendix A, the following entities are eligible to apply for this summer enrichment grant:

Sheff magnet schools operated by a local board of education: Bloomfield Public Schools (BPS), East Hartford Public Schools (EHPS), Hartford Public Schools (HPS);

Sheff magnet schools operated by a RESC: Capitol Region Education Council (CREC); and

Sheff magnet schools operated by a College Affiliated Operator (independent institution of higher education): Goodwin University Educational Services (GUES).

To be considered for this grant, any such interdistrict magnet school operator must submit a proposal that meets the requirements of this competitive grant application and articulates the proposed summer enrichment strategies, actions and/or programs that the operator will implement to provide students registered in Sheff Region interdistrict magnet schools with high-quality, enrichment opportunities to support academic development, social-emotional well-being, community building, skills development, and physical fitness. Proposals must include a general budget and plan for identifying, developing and implementing a meaningful and cohesive summer enrichment program. The primary location for the proposed summer programming must be an interdistrict magnet school operated by an eligible entity.

Eligible entities must submit a complete application for each proposed summer enrichment program. Eligible entities that do not submit a complete grant application by March 20, 2026 will not be eligible for funding pursuant to this competitive grant opportunity.

Fiscal health and financial policies must be documented in a letter of commitment from the superintendent that states that the programs have the capacity to invest time and resources to support program start-up and implementation once the grant is awarded, notwithstanding a delay in reimbursement of funds.

Section IV. Funding

Total funds for this competitive grant are up to $550,000 in Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) and up to $2,000,000 in FY27 pursuant to C.G.S. 10-264l(c)(3) to fund summer enrichment programming for Sheff Region interdistrict magnet school students that assists the state in meeting its obligations pursuant to the decision in Sheff. This funding is in addition to, not in place of, the interdistrict magnet school operating grant provided pursuant to C.G.S. 10-264l and other funding provided by the CSDE and through other sources.

This funding is for Summer 2026 programming and is separate from the Summer 2025 iteration of this grant award. Summer 2025 award recipients are eligible to apply and must submit an application by the communicated deadline to be considered for this Summer 2026 grant opportunity.

All awards will be in the form of reimbursement grants based on funds requests after funds are expended. Grants are not final until the execution of award letters and are subject to availability of funding. The level of funding and reporting requirements will be set forth in the notification of the grant award.

Section V. Allowable Activities and Costs

Submissions for the Grant must include a detailed budget and plan for identifying, developing, and implementing a meaningful, cohesive summer enrichment program. When determining how to use the funds from this grant, eligible entities should consider, at a minimum, the academic and social needs of students enrolled in interdistrict magnet schools, the magnet theme, and the types of extracurricular and enrichment activities that will improve and enrich students' experience. Summer enrichment programs must offer full-week, full-day programming hosted at a Sheff magnet school using one of the following program models:

summer bridge programming for current and newly registered students;

orientation programming for current and newly enrolled students;

summer enrichment programming; and

half day academic programming, half day summer enrichment/extracurricular programming.

Activities that may be funded through this grant include, but are not limited to:

field trip experiences;

programs to support student specialized enrichment experiences (e.g., culinary arts, robotics, athletic programming, etc.);

tutorial services;

family engagement activities;

transition or promotion support to prepare for the upcoming school year;

certification courses for students (driver's education, lifeguard training and certification, etc.);

programs across one or more Sheff interdistrict magnet schools or in partnership with community organizations, outside agencies, businesses, or institutions of higher education;

programming that supports the social-emotional or academic needs of students;

theme-based enrichment;

extracurricular activities, including athletics; and

team-building activities.

Allowable costs for this grant includes expenditures which support the aforementioned purpose, are expendable in the respective fiscal year, and are authorized via the competitive grant review, including the following:

salaries and benefits of summer enrichment program staff;

program curriculum, supplies, and materials directly related to the summer enrichment program or activity, including software and technology;

fees and travel costs for student participation in competitions or special events related to summer enrichment programming;

student transportation to and from site(s);

contracts for professional and expert services with community-based organizations, institutions of higher education, organizations and/or businesses to provide academic, social-emotional, or enrichment opportunities and programming;

contracts for professional or expert speakers to provide academic, social-emotional, or enrichment-based supports;

staff training and professional development directly related to the summer enrichment program;

subsidizing fingerprinting/background checks for summer enrichment program staff;

equipment directly related to the summer enrichment program or activity, up to a maximum of $5,000;

t-shirts and other spirit wear for participants and staff;

awards and recognition of participants; and

incentives for attendance and participation of students.

Summer enrichment programs must primarily serve students currently enrolled or registered at a Sheff interdistrict magnet school identified in Appendix A and identify a Sheff interdistrict magnet school as the primary location of the summer program. Programs must designate which schools, and their respective students will be served through this grant opportunity in the grant application, as well as the magnet school that will serve as the primary location of the programming. Eligible entities may enter into cooperative agreements with other Sheff interdistrict magnet schools. Examples of such agreements include, but are not limited to, combined summer camp or enrichment programs, shared professional vendors or experts, expert speakers, transportation services, and shared facility space, equipment or activities.

Subcontractor/Vendor Guidelines

If a recipient enters an agreement to allocate grant funds to a partner, vendor, or another entity, the CSDE will consider the agreement between the recipient and the outside entity a "subcontract." All subcontracts are subject to the terms of the CSDE grant funding source, and the grantee is held solely responsible for the performance of the subcontractor, including all safeguards related to child safety such as background checks, relevant licensing requirements, and ensuring that all subcontractors comply with all state and federal laws. Additionally, a copy of the CSDE approved funding application must be provided to the subcontractor as an attachment to the subcontract. The CSDE Program Manager may require fully executed subcontracts to be submitted to include as an addendum to the approved grant application. The CSDE reserves the right to communicate directly with the subcontractor about the terms and conditions of the funding and details of the subcontract. The CSDE further reserves the right to withhold reimbursement for subcontracted work or services until the fully executed subcontract is submitted to the CSDE Program Manager.

As set forth above, allowable costs must be directly related to the purpose of this grant and the implementation of academic, extracurricular and enrichment programming. Costs for other activities, programs, and supports may be approved beyond those listed in this section.

If you plan to include items or services other than those listed above in your proposal, contact the CSDE program manager, Kerry Mattson, at kerry.mattson@ct.gov prior to submitting your application.

Funds must be used to supplement, not supplant, interdistrict magnet schools' summer enrichment offerings. All budgeted expenses must clearly support the proposed strategies. All offerings must be made at no additional cost to participants. Indirect costs are not allowable for this funding opportunity.

Section VI. Grant Period

The CSDE will award this grant up to $550,000 in FY26 and up to $2,000,000 in FY27 for summer 2026 with a total award amount of up to $2,550,000 in the aggregate for all grantees. Successful submissions will provide both a detailed ED114 and budget narrative for each program for FY26 and FY27. The FY26 grant period shall begin upon notification of award and cover allowable costs and services through June 30, 2026. FY26 funds requests must be submitted June 12, 2026 for reimbursement for expenditures and all other obligations that will be liquidated no later than June 30, 2026. The FY27 grant period for this grant opportunity begins July 1, 2026 and ends prior to beginning of the school's 2026-2027 academic school year.

Section VII. Application Requirements

Eligible entities must submit a separate application packet for each proposed summer enrichment program. To be considered, proposal submissions must conform with the required proposal outline and include the components listed below in order to be considered for a grant award.

Signed Cover Page

Signed Superintendent Letter of Commitment: A signed letter of commitment from the superintendent stating the proposed program has the capacity to invest time and resources to support program start-up and implementation once the grant is awarded, notwithstanding a delay in reimbursement of funds.

Executive Summary: Brief description of the proposed program, identifying the needs to be addressed with the funding and how evidence-based programming will be used to address the identified need. The summary should include the total requested funding for FY26 and FY27.

Main Proposal Body:

Program Operations

description of program structure, including Sheff magnet school(s) and grade(s) served, total number of students to be served, program length, and hours of operation;

description of facility(ies), with at least one facility being a Sheff magnet school, listed on Appendix A, as the primary location of the program;

identification of partners or vendors, including any Memoranda of Agreement/proposed contract(s) with said partners or vendors:

describe the qualifications of the partner/vendor;

indicate whether the association is from an existing or preexisting partnership or contract relationship and the impact of that relationship on student support systems;

describe how proposed partner(s) or vendor(s) will be used to facilitate and enhance summer programming relative to academic development, social-emotional well-being, and/or community building;

describe the timeline for securing the partner/vendor and the plan for implementation; and

if a partner has not yet been identified, provide a description of what services will be sourced to potential partners, including qualifications of potential partner(s) or vendor(s), timeline for securing partner/vendor(s), and expected budget.

inclusion of a comprehensive timeline for planning and implementation of the summer program;

description of plan for recording summer program attendance and evaluation of effectiveness;

description of meal and transportation plan for students at no cost to students; and

description of process for outreach to potential participants, application, placement, and registration plan.

Program Design

program focus, including a detailed description of academic, enrichment, and/or extracurricular activities, including field trips and other off-site programming;

description of how the program will serve currently enrolled or newly registered Sheff region interdistrict magnet students and facilitate academic development, community building and support enrollment in Sheff magnet schools;

description of how the summer program will support participants' social-emotional development, citing evidence-based strategies;

description of how the program will be accessible to multi-language learners and students with special needs; and

description of how proposed partner(s) will be used to enhance student experience.

Staffing Structure

description of staffing structure and training for the summer program, identifying certified staff for programs involving academic components and staff to student ratios in compliance with all statutory and/or any relevant summer program licensing requirements;;

identification of a designated point of contact for each site, who will work with the CSDE Program Manager throughout the program's planning and implementation phases; and

confirmation that prior to the start of the program, a successful applicant will submit an attestation that all school staff, partner staff, and volunteers working with participants have undergone required background checks and DCF mandated reporter training.

Budget

detailed ED114 and budget narratives for FY26 and FY27 that directly align with the summer program proposal and are reasonable in cost given the number of students served, duration of program, and scope of services provided.

Signed Standard Statement of Assurances

A completed application packet must be e-mailed to Kerry Mattson at no later than 11:59:59 pm EST on March 20, 2026. To be eligible for consideration, the application packet must be submitted no later than the communicated deadline and include:

signed cover page;

signed superintendent letter of commitment;

program narrative, including the information set forth in this Section VII;

ED114 and budget narrative, including the information set forth in this Section VII; and

signed Standard Statement of Assurances.

Section VIII. Review of Proposal and Grant Awards

Only proposals that meet the application requirements detailed in Section VII will be reviewed for award. The CSDE will convene a panel to review all completed applications meeting minimum requirements detailed in Section VII. Grant awards will be negotiated and accepted, with modifications, if necessary, in time for final award. Each application will be rated using the rubric in Appendix C.

The CSDE reserves the right to award in part, or to reject a proposal, in its entirety or in part, if, in its judgment, the best interest of the state would be served. After receiving the grant application, the CSDE reserves the right to not award all grants, to negotiate specific grant amounts, and to select certain grantees, regardless of points awarded, as part of the evaluation process to meet the Connecticut State Board of Education's (CSBE) priorities. All awards are subject to availability of funds. Grants are not final until award letters are executed.

The CSDE will notify applicants of the acceptance or rejection of their proposals in writing. The level of funding and effective dates of the projects will be set forth in the notification of the grant award.

Section IX. Freedom of Information Act

All the information contained in an application submitted in response to this Request for Proposals is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), C.G.S. Sections 1-200 et seq. The FOIA provides that, except as provided by Federal or State law, records maintained or kept on file by any public agency (as defined in the statute) are public records and every person has the right to inspect such records and receive a copy of such records.

Section X. Management Control of the Program

The grantee has complete management control of this grant. While CSDE staff may be consulted for their expertise upon award, they will not be directly responsible for the selection of vendors, nor will they be directly involved in the expenditure and payment of funds.

Section XI. Fiscal Responsibility and Reporting Requirements

The grantee will be responsible for adherence to all state and federal regulations governing expenditures, accounting, and reporting requirements.

The grantee shall prepare and submit all required reports identified in this application by the communicated deadline, unless the CSDE Program Manager grants an extension in writing. The CSDE reserves the right to withhold payment or reimbursement of funds until all communicated reporting requirements are completed. Grantees must complete all communicated End of Year and/or Project reporting requirements for this grant period prior to receiving future fiscal year iterations of this grant award.

Reporting Requirements:

Program Attendance Reports: Due Weekly

End of Project Report: Due October 30, 2026

Section XII. Grant Timeline

Application Posted: February 13, 2026

Bidders' Conference: February 20, 2026 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Application Closes: March 20, 2026

Notification of Award: April 2026

End of Project Report: October 30, 2026

Application Packet

Connecticut State Department of Education

Office of Strategic Planning and Partnerships

Summer 2026 (FY26 & FY27)

Sheff Interdistrict Magnet Schools Summer Enrichment Grant

Cover Page

Office of Strategic Planning and Partnerships

Summer 2026 (FY26 and FY27)

Sheff Interdistrict Magnet Schools Summer Enrichment Grant

Lead Applicant:

Grant Contact Name and Title:

Grant Contact Phone:

Grant Contact Email:

Name of Summer Enrichment Coordinator:

Email of Summer Enrichment Coordinator:

Total Number of Hartford Resident Students Enrolled in the School(s) Served:

Total Number of Non-Hartford Resident Students Enrolled in the Schools Served:

Total Summer Program Capacity:

Total Proposed Hartford Resident Student Participants:

Total Proposed Non-Hartford Resident Student Participants:

I hereby certify that the information contained in this application is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Superintendent Name:

Superintendent Signature:

Date:

Program Narrative:

Please describe your proposal for the Sheff Interdistrict Magnet Schools Summer Enrichment Grant for FY26 and FY27 in this program narrative. Please provide narrative responses for each item detailed below, which are found in Section VII. Application Requirements. If necessary, please attach any related documents or appendices to supplement the narrative and support your responses. You can use the following as a Table of Contents.

Signed Superintendent Letter of Commitment: A signed letter of commitment from the superintendent stating the proposed program has the capacity to invest time and resources to support program start-up and implementation once the grant is awarded, notwithstanding a delay in reimbursement of funds.

Executive Summary: Brief description of the proposed program, identifying the needs to be addressed with the funding and how evidence-based programming will be used to address the identified need. The summary should include the total requested funding for FY26 and FY27.

Main Proposal Body:

Program Operations

description of program structure, including Sheff magnet school(s) and grade(s) served, total number of students to be served, program length, and hours of operation;

description of facility(ies), with at least one facility being a Sheff magnet school, listed on Appendix A, as the primary location of the program;

identification of partners or vendors, including any Memoranda of Agreement/proposed contract(s) with said partners or vendors:

describe the qualifications of the partner/vendor;

indicate whether the association is from an existing or preexisting partnership or contract relationship and the impact of that relationship on student support systems;

describe how proposed partner(s) or vendor(s) will be used to facilitate and enhance summer programming relative to academic development, social-emotional well-being, and/or community building;

describe the timeline for securing the partner/vendor and the plan for implementation; and

if a partner has not yet been identified, provide a description of what services will be sourced to potential partners, including qualifications of potential partner(s) or vendor(s), timeline for securing partner/vendor(s), and expected budget.

inclusion of a comprehensive timeline for planning and implementation of the summer program;

description of plan for recording summer program attendance and evaluation of effectiveness;

description of meal and transportation plan for students at no cost to students; and

description of process for outreach to potential participants, application, placement, and registration plan.

Program Design

program focus, including a detailed description of academic, enrichment, and/or extracurricular activities, including field trips and other off-site programming;

description of how the program will serve currently enrolled or newly registered Sheff region interdistrict magnet students and facilitate academic development, community building and support enrollment in Sheff magnet schools;

description of how the summer program will support participants' social-emotional development, citing evidence-based strategies;

description of how the program will be accessible to multi-language learners and students with special needs; and

description of how proposed partner(s) will be used to enhance student experience.

Staffing Structure

description of staffing structure and training for the summer program, identifying certified staff for programs involving academic components and staff to student ratios in compliance with all statutory and/or any relevant summer program licensing requirements;;

identification of a designated point of contact for each site, who will work with the CSDE Program Manager throughout the program's planning and implementation phases; and

confirmation that prior to the start of the program, a successful applicant will submit an attestation that all school staff, partner staff, and volunteers working with participants have undergone required background checks and DCF mandated reporter training.

Budget

detailed ED114 and budget narratives for FY26 and FY27 that directly align with the summer program proposal and are reasonable in cost given the number of students served, duration of program, and scope of services provided.

FY26 ED114 Sheff Interdistrict Magnet Schools Summer Enrichment Grant

Original Request Date:

CSDE Program Manager Authorization:

Date:

FY26 Budget Narrative

FY27 ED114 Sheff Interdistrict Magnet Schools Summer Enrichment Grant

Original Request Date:

CSDE Program Manager Authorization:

Date:

FY27 Budget Narrative

Standard Statement of Assurances for Grant Programs

Connecticut State Department of Education

The Applicant hereby assures the Connecticut State Department of Education that:

The applicant has the necessary legal authority to apply for and receive the proposed grant.

The filing of this application has been authorized by the applicant's governing body, and the undersigned official has been duly authorized to file this application for and on behalf of said applicant, and otherwise to act as the authorized representative of the applicant in connection with this application.

The activities and services for which assistance is sought under this grant will be administered by or under the supervision and control of the applicant.

The project will be operated in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and in compliance with regulations and other policies and administrative directives of the State Board of Education and the Connecticut State Department of Education.

Grant funds shall not be used to supplant funds normally budgeted by the agency.

Fiscal control and accounting procedures will be used to ensure proper disbursement of all funds awarded.

The applicant will submit a final project report (within 60 days of the project completion) and such other reports, as specified, to the Connecticut State Department of Education, including information relating to the project records and access thereto as the Connecticut State Department of Education may find necessary.

The Connecticut State Department of Education reserves the exclusive right to use and grant the right to use and/or publish any part or parts of any summaries, abstracts, reports, publications, records and materials resulting from this project and this grant.

If the project achieves the specified objectives, every reasonable effort will be made to continue the project and/or implement the results after the termination of state/federal funding.

The applicant will protect and save harmless the State Board of Education from financial loss and expense, including legal fees and costs, if any, arising out of any breach of the duties, in whole or part, described in the application for the grant.

At the conclusion of each grant period, the applicant will provide for an independent audit report acceptable to the grantor in accordance with Sections 7-394a and 7-396a of the C.G.S., and the applicant shall return to the Connecticut State Department of Education any moneys not expended in accordance with the approved program/operation budget as determined by the audit.

Nondiscrimination

For purposes of this Section, the following terms are defined as follows:

"Commission" means the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities;

"Contract" and "contract" means this grant;

"Contractor" and "contractor" means the applicant and any successors or assigns;

"gender identity or expression" means a person's gender-related identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not that gender-related identity, appearance or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person's physiology or assigned sex at birth, which gender-related identity can be shown by providing evidence including, but not limited to, medical history, care or treatment of the gender-related identity, consistent and uniform assertion of the gender-related identity or any other evidence that the gender-related identity is sincerely held, part of a person's core identity or not being asserted for an improper purpose;

"good faith" means that degree of diligence which a reasonable person would exercise in the performance of legal duties and obligations;

"good faith efforts" shall include, but not be limited to, those reasonable initial efforts necessary to comply with statutory or regulatory requirements and additional or substituted efforts when it is determined that such initial efforts will not be sufficient to comply with such requirements;

"marital status" means being single, married as recognized by the State of Connecticut, widowed, separated or divorced;

"mental disability" means one or more mental disorders, as defined in the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders", or a record of or regarding a person as having one or more such disorders;

"minority business enterprise" means any small contractor or supplier of materials fifty-one percent or more of the capital stock, if any, or assets of which is owned by a person or persons: (1) who are active in the daily affairs of the enterprise, (2) who have the power to direct the management and policies of the enterprise, and (3) who are members of a minority, as such term is defined in subsection (a) of C.G.S. 32-9n; and

"public works contract" means any agreement between any individual, firm or corporation and the State or any political subdivision of the State other than a municipality for construction, rehabilitation, conversion, extension, demolition or repair of a public building, highway or other changes or improvements in real property, or which is financed in whole or in part by the State, including, but not limited to, matching expenditures, grants, loans, insurance or guarantees.

For purposes of this Section, the terms "Contract" and "contract" do not include a contract where each contractor is (a) a political subdivision of the state, including, but not limited to, a municipality, unless the contract is a municipal public works contract or quasi-public agency project contract, (b) any other state, including but not limited to any federally recognized Indian tribal governments, as defined in C.G.S. 1-267, (c) the federal government, (d) a foreign government, or (e) an agency of a subdivision, state or government described in the immediately preceding enumerated items (a), (b), (c), or (d).

(a) The Contractor agrees and warrants that in the performance of the Contract such Contractor will not discriminate or permit discrimination against any person or group of persons on the grounds of race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, status as a veteran, status as a victim of domestic violence, intellectual disability, mental disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness, unless it is shown by such Contractor that such disability prevents performance of the work involved, in any manner prohibited by the laws of the United States or of the State of Connecticut; and the Contractor further agrees to take affirmative action to ensure that applicants with job-related qualifications are employed and that employees are treated when employed without regard to their race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, status as a veteran, status as a victim of domestic violence, intellectual disability, mental disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness, unless it is shown by the Contractor that such disability prevents performance of the work involved; (b) the Contractor agrees, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of the Contractor, to state that it is an "affirmative action equal opportunity employer" in accordance with regulations adopted by the Commission; (c) the Contractor agrees to provide each labor union or representative of workers with which the Contractor has a collective bargaining Agreement or other contract or understanding and each vendor with which the Contractor has a contract or understanding, a notice to be provided by the Commission advising the labor union or workers' representative of the Contractor's commitments under this Section and to post copies of the notice in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for employment; (d) the Contractor agrees to comply with each provision of this Section and C.G.S. 46a-68e and 46a-68f and with each regulation or relevant order issued by said Commission pursuant to C.G.S. 46a-56, 46a-68e, 46a-68f and 46a-86; and (e) the Contractor agrees to provide the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities with such information requested by the Commission, and permit access to pertinent books, records and accounts, concerning the employment practices and procedures of the Contractor as relate to the provisions of this Section and C.G.S. 46a-56. If the contract is a public works contract, municipal public works contract or contract for a quasi-public agency project, the Contractor agrees and warrants that he or she will make good faith efforts to employ minority business enterprises as subcontractors and suppliers of materials on such public works or quasi-public agency projects.

Determination of the Contractor's good faith efforts shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following factors: The Contractor's employment and subcontracting policies, patterns and practices; affirmative advertising, recruitment and training; technical assistance activities and such other reasonable activities or efforts as the Commission may prescribe that are designed to ensure the participation of minority business enterprises in public works projects.

The Contractor shall develop and maintain adequate documentation, in a manner prescribed by the Commission, of its good faith efforts.

The Contractor shall include the provisions of subsection (3) of this Section in every subcontract or purchase order entered into in order to fulfill any obligation of a contract with the State and in every subcontract entered into in order to fulfill any obligation of a municipal public works contract for a quasi-public agency project, and such provisions shall be binding on a subcontractor, vendor or manufacturer unless exempted by regulations or orders of the Commission. The Contractor shall take such action with respect to any such subcontract or purchase order as the Commission may direct as a means of enforcing such provisions including sanctions for noncompliance in accordance with C.G.S. 46a-56, as amended; provided if such Contractor becomes involved in, or is threatened with, litigation with a subcontractor or vendor as a result of such direction by the Commission regarding the State contract, the Contractor may request the State of Connecticut to enter into any such litigation or negotiation prior thereto to protect the interests of the State and the State may so enter.

The Contractor agrees to comply with the regulations referred to in this Section as they exist on the date of this Contract and as they may be adopted or amended from time to time during the term of this Contract and any amendments thereto.

(a) The Contractor agrees and warrants that in the performance of the Contract such Contractor will not discriminate or permit discrimination against any person or group of persons on the grounds of sexual orientation, in any manner prohibited by the laws of the United States or the State of Connecticut, and that employees are treated when employed without regard to their sexual orientation; (b) the Contractor agrees to provide each labor union or representative of workers with which such Contractor has a collective bargaining Agreement or other contract or understanding and each vendor with which such Contractor has a contract or understanding, a notice to be provided by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities advising the labor union or workers' representative of the Contractor's commitments under this Section, and to post copies of the notice in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for employment; (c) the Contractor agrees to comply with each provision of this Section and with each regulation or relevant order issued by said Commission pursuant to C.G.S. 46a-56; and (d) the Contractor agrees to provide the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities with such information requested by the Commission, and permit access to pertinent books, records and accounts, concerning the employment practices and procedures of the Contractor which relate to the provisions of this Section and C.G.S. 46a-56.

The Contractor shall include the provisions of the foregoing paragraph in every subcontract or purchase order entered into in order to fulfill any obligation of a contract with the State and such provisions shall be binding on a subcontractor, vendor or manufacturer unless exempted by regulations or orders of the Commission. The Contractor shall take such action with respect to any such subcontract or purchase order as the Commission may direct as a means of enforcing such provisions including sanctions for noncompliance in accordance with C.G.S. 46a-56, as amended; provided, if such Contractor becomes involved in, or is threatened with, litigation with a subcontractor or vendor as a result of such direction by the Commission regarding a State contract, the Contractor may request the State of Connecticut to enter into any such litigation or negotiation prior thereto to protect the interests of the State and the State may so enter.

Nondiscrimination Certification. Pursuant to subsection (c) of Section 4a-60 and subsection (b) of Section 4a-60a of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Contractor, for itself and its authorized signatory of this Contract, affirms that it understands the obligations of this Section and that it will maintain a policy for the duration of the Contract to assure that the Contract will be performed in compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of such Sections. The Contractor and its authorized signatory of this Contract demonstrate their understanding of this obligation by signing this Statement of Assurances below.

The grant award is subject to approval of the Connecticut State Department of Education and availability of state or federal funds.

The applicant agrees and warrants that Sections 4-190 to 4-197, inclusive, of the C.G.S. concerning the Personal Data Act and Sections 10-4-8 to 10-4-10, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies promulgated there under are hereby incorporated by reference.

I, the undersigned authorized official, hereby certify that these assurances shall be fully implemented.

Appendix A: Sheff Interdistrict Magnet Schools

Bloomfield Public Schools:

Wintonbury Early Childhood Magnet School

Capitol Region Education Council:

Academy of Aerospace and Engineering

Academy of Aerospace and Engineering Elementary

Academy of Computer Science and Engineering

Academy of Computer Science and Engineering Middle School

Academy of International Studies Elementary School

Academy of International Studies

Academy of Science and Innovation

Ana Grace Academy of the Arts

Discovery Academy

Glastonbury/East Hartford Magnet School

Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts High School - Full Time

Montessori Magnet School

Museum Academy

Preschool at Progress Drive

Reggio Magnet School of the Arts

University of Hartford Magnet School

East Hartford Public Schools:

Connecticut IB Academy

Goodwin University Educational Services:

Connecticut River Academy at Goodwin University

Riverside Magnet School at Goodwin University

RiverTech at Goodwin University

Hartford Public Schools:

Betances Learning Lab Magnet School

Betances STEM Magnet School

Breakthrough Magnet School, North

Breakthrough Magnet School, South

Capital Preparatory Magnet School

Classical Magnet School

Dwight-Bellizzi Dual Language Academy

Environmental Sciences Magnet at Hooker School

Great Path Academy at CT State Manchester

Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy

Hartford Prekindergarten Magnet School - North Campus

Hartford Prekindergarten Magnet School - South Campus

Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts Pk-8 Campus

Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts 9-12 Campus

Montessori Magnet at Batchelder School

Montessori Magnet at Fisher School

Pathways Academy of Technology and Design

Sport and Medical Sciences Academy

STEM Magnet at Annie Fisher School

University High School of Science and Engineering

Webster Micro Society Magnet School

Appendix B: Reporting Requirements

Sheff Interdistrict Magnet Schools Summer Enrichment Grant

Summer 2026 (FY26 & FY27)

Weekly Attendance Reports:

Attendance reports detailing aggregate daily attendance for each week the summer program is in operation must be submitted by the second business day of the following week. Student level attendance information is not required to be provided in the weekly attendance report submissions but may be requested at any time by the CSDE Program Manager.

End of Project Report: Due October 30, 2026

The End of Project Report should relate directly to the program narrative and budget provided in the grant application, or any subsequent amendments approved by the CSDE Program Manager.

All End of Project reports must include, at a minimum:

description of services;

implementation timeline;

number of students served, including magnet or any non-magnet students;

duration of summer program;

evaluation of effectiveness;

subcontractor/vendor reporting, when applicable; and

final status of summer 2026 program expenditures.

Appendix C: Scoring Rubric

Maximum Total Score: 100

Applicant Name:

Reviewer Name:

Reviewer Signature:

Date of Review: