COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 186

September 9, 2005

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Mathematics and Science Partnership Competitive Grant Program for 2005-2006

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, science and/or engineering department of an institution of higher education and a high-needs 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. The MSP grants will be awarded to support successful proposals that will provide programs and resources to offer high-quality professional development for (1) middle grades (4-8) mathematics and science teachers in priority schools, and (2) high school mathematics and science teachers in priority schools.

For middle grades, the Virginia Department of Education 2005-2006 MSP program will award three grants in mathematics and three grants in science, at approximately $150,000 per grant, to deliver programs that meet the program objectives. Grant proposals that include both a mathematics and science component will be funded accordingly.

For high school, the Virginia Department of Education 2005-2006 MSP program will award three grants each in mathematics and science, at approximately $175,000 per grant, to deliver programs that meet the program objectives. Grant proposals that include both a mathematics and science component will be funded accordingly.

The Request for Proposals is attached to this memorandum. Completed proposals must be received by the Virginia Department of Education no later than 4 p.m. December 9, 2005. The deadline for submission of the Intent to Submit Form is September 30, 2005. A bidders meeting will be conducted at the James Monroe Building in Richmond on October 7, 2005. For additional information, please contact Paula Klonowski (Paula.Klonowski@doe.virginia.gov), science specialist, Office of Elementary Instruction, at (804) 371-0249.

JLD/PK/yba

Attachment

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2005/inf186a.doc