(1) Purpose
of Program. The purpose of the Mathematics and Science Partnership grant
program is to improve the content knowledge and pedagogical acumen of cohort
groups of mathematics and science teachers of grades K-12 in order to increase
the achievement of their students. These improvement efforts are designed,
implemented, and evaluated by strong partnerships between college and
university faculty, high-need school systems, and other qualifying
partners.
(2)
Terms and
Conditions. Funds are available from the Georgia Department of Education
for competitive Mathematics and Science Partnerships grants. The focus of the
proposals is providing professional learning for mathematics and science
teachers in grades Kindergarten through 12. All partnerships must establish and
operate programs to bring grades K-12 mathematics and/or science teachers into
contact with working science, technology, engineering, or mathematics faculty
to expand teachers' content knowledge and instructional practice in mathematics
and science classrooms. Such goals may be met by (a) providing opportunities
for enhanced and ongoing professional learning of mathematics and science
teachers that improves their content knowledge; (b) using scientifically-based
researched teaching methods to promote strong teaching skills for mathematics
and science teachers; and (c) establishing and operating intensive mathematics
and science institutes for teachers with follow-up training and support. The
funds received must be used to supplement, and not supplant, funds that would
otherwise be used to support such activities.
The partnership must consist of (a) a Georgia high-need
school district or consortium, and (b) a science, technology, engineering, or
mathematics (STEM) department of an accredited two-or four-year college or
university. Partnerships may also include (a) one or more school systems that
may or may not qualify as high-need; (b) the STEM department or teacher
training department of another accredited two-or four-year college or
university; (c) faculty from the unit responsible for the preparation of
teachers (typically the college of education); (d) public charter and magnet
schools, private elementary or secondary schools, or a consortium of such
schools; or (e) non-profit and for-profit organizations with proven
effectiveness in providing professional development to teachers of mathematics
and science. Either the lead school district applicant, the Regional Education
Service Agency(RESA), or the lead higher education applicant may serve as the
fiscal agent.
(3)
Eligible Recipients. Proposals may be submitted by either a Georgia
high-need school district/consortium(RESA) or a partnering institute of higher
education.
(4)
Criteria for
Award. The criteria for awarding grants will be as follows:
(a) Absolute priority will be given to those
partnerships which demonstrate that at least 40 percent of the lead partner's
students qualify for the free and reduced meal program and those that show
evidence of teachers with limited content knowledge with a history of low
student test scores or achievement gaps in mathematics and/or
science.
(b) Efforts will be made
to ensure Georgia's Mathematics & Science Partnership Program grants are
distributed equitably across the state to the extent that qualified, submitted
proposals allow.
(c) The following
criteria will be used to evaluate all applications for funding:
(1) commitment and capacity of partnership;
(2) demonstration of need and
research base;
(3) alignment of
project goals and objectives with professional learning needs;
(4) efficacy of plan;
(5) evaluation and accountability plan; and
(6) budget and cost effectiveness.
In addition any applicant that is currently receiving funds, but plans to
submit another proposal for continued work, must also
(7) show evidence of prior project work.
Bonus points for innovation and high-need are also possible.
(5) Directions
and Deadlines for Applying. A Request for Proposals (RFP) and additional
application information will be made available by the Georgia Department of
Education by April 7, 2014, on its MSP Program website:
http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Curriculum-and-Instruction/Pages/Math-and-Science-Partnership-.aspx.
The original saved as a Microsoft Word document (read-only) or a pdf file on a
CD-ROM or jump drive must all be received by 5:00 p.m. on June 12, 2014. Fax
and e-mail transmissions are not acceptable. Grants are scheduled to be awarded
October 1, 2014. Requests for information should be made to the MSP Program
specialist at the Georgia Department of Education, 1754 Twin Towers East,
Atlanta, Georgia 30334.
Notes
Ga. Comp. R.
& Regs. R.
160-1-4-.266
O.C.G.A. ยง
20-2-14.
Original grant
description entitled "Title II, Part B Mathematics and Science Partnerships"
submitted March 8, 2004.
Submitted:
May 24,
2005.
Submitted: Grant entitled "Title II, Part B
Mathematics and Science Partnerships (MSP) Program" Nov. 2, 2006.
Submitted:
June 26,
2008.
Submitted:
Dec. 11,
2008.
Submitted:
May 21,
2014.
