Mathematics and Science Partnership Competitive Grant Program for 2003-2004

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 168

October 10, 2003

INFORMATIONAL

TO:

Division Superintendents

FROM:

Jo Lynne DeMary

Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT:

Mathematics and Science Partnership Competitive Grant Program for 2003-2004

Title II, Part B, of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 authorizes a Mathematics and Science Partnership (MSP) competitive grant program. The intent of this program is to encourage institutions of higher education, school divisions, elementary schools, and secondary schools to participate in professional development activities that increase the subject matter knowledge and teaching skills of mathematics and science teachers. Core partners in these grants must include the mathematics department of an institution of higher education and a high-need school division. Partners may also include other school divisions, institutions of higher education, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.

The Virginia Department of Education is responsible for the administration of this program. For the 2003-2004 competition, approximately $1.4 million is available for MSP awards in Virginia. In this competition, the department expects to fund approximately four MSP programs in the state that focus on increasing (1) the number of highly qualified mathematics teachers in middle schools, with particular focus on middle schools accredited with warning or provisionally accredited and/or (2) the number of individuals licensed to serve as a K-8 mathematics specialist as described in the proposed Virginia licensure regulations for the position.

Application materials are available on the Internet at http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Instruction/comp.html. Applications must be received by the Virginia Department of Education no later than 4 p.m. on December 18, 2003. For additional information please contact Dr. Linda Wallinger, acting director, Office of Program Administration and Accountability, at (804) 225-4264 or (lwalling@mail.vak12ed.edu).

JLD/LMW/saj