Rule 160-1-4-.266 - Title II, Part B Mathematics and Science Partnerships (MSP) Program(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; (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.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 160-1-4-.266
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-14.
Original grant description entitled "Title II, Part B Mathematics and Science Partnerships" submitted March 8, 2004.Submitted: Grant entitled "Title II, Part B Mathematics and Science Partnerships (MSP) Program" Nov. 2, 2006.Submitted: June 26, 2008.Submitted: Dec. 11, 2008.