Mathematics and Science Partnerships (84.366)

Program

84.366 Mathematics and Science Partnerships

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Education
Office: Office Of Elementary And Secondary Education

Authorization

Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, Title II, Part B.

Program Number

84.366

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To improve the academic achievement of students in mathematics and science by encouraging States, IHEs, LEAs, and elementary and secondary schools to participate in programs that: improve and upgrade the status and stature of mathematics and science teaching by encouraging IHEs to improve mathematics and science teacher education; focus on the education of mathematics and science teachers as a career-long process; bring mathematics and science teachers together with scientists, mathematicians, and engineers to improve their teaching skills; and develop more rigorous mathematics and science curricula that are aligned with state and local academic achievement standards that reflect expectations for postsecondary study in engineering, mathematics, and science.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

This program supports State and local efforts to improve students' academic achievement in mathematics and science by promoting strong teaching skills for elementary and secondary school teachers, including by integrating teaching methods based on scientifically based research and technology into the curriculum. Grantees may also use program funds to develop more rigorous mathematics and science curricula that are aligned with challenging State and local content standards; establish distance learning programs for mathematics and science teachers; and recruit individuals with mathematics, science, and engineering majors into the teaching profession through the use of signing and performance incentives, stipends, and scholarships. Professional development can include summer workshops, or institutes and programs that bring mathematics and science teachers into contact with working scientists, mathematicians, and engineers in order to expand teachers' subject-matter knowledge.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

The Department awards 3-year grants directly to partnerships on a competitive basis when the appropriation for the program is less than $100 million. If the appropriation reaches or exceeds $100 million, as has been the case since fiscal year 2003, the Department provides grants to States by formula based on the number of children aged 5 to 17 who are from families with incomes below the poverty line; States then award the funds competitively to partnerships. Eligible partnerships must include the State educational agency (if the Department is awarding the grants directly to partnerships); an engineering, mathematics, or science department of an institution of higher education (IHE); and a high-need local educational agency (LEA). In addition, partnerships may include another engineering, mathematics, science, or teacher training department of an IHE; additional LEAs, public charter schools, public or private elementary or secondary schools; a business; or a nonprofit or for-profit organization of demonstrated effectiveness in improving the quality of mathematics and science teachers.

Beneficiary Eligibility

University staff, school administrators, teachers, students, parents and the community.

Credentials/Documentation

No Credentials or documentation are required. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Eligible partnerships submit an application directly to the Department when the program's appropriation is less than $100 million. Partnerships submit an application to the State if the appropriation is $100 million or greater.

Award Procedure

The Department awards grants to States by formula. States then award grants to eligible partnerships.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Not Applicable.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grants are awarded for a period of not more than three years. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Electronic transfer.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

As required by the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) of State-administrered programs (34 CFR Part 76). Cash reports are not applicable. Progress reports are not applicable. Expenditure reports are not applicable. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

Audits

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-133. The State will correct deficiencies in program operations that are identified through audits, monitoring, or evaluation. In accordance with the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in the Appendix to 34 CFR 80, State and local governments that receive financial assistnce of $300,000 or more within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made for that year. State and local governments that receive between $25,000 and $300,000 whin the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made in accordance wht the Appendix to Part 80, or in accordance with Federal laws and regulations governing the programs in which they participate.

Records

Records must be maintained for three years. In all cases of audit questions, records must be maintained until resolution has occurred.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: Grants supported programs in all States. Fiscal Year 2009: Grants supported programs in all States. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-1000-0-1-501.

Obligations

(Formula Grants) FY 08 $178,978,000; FY 09 est $178,978,000; FY 10 est $178,978,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

No Data Available.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99. For further guidance and other information, contact the Program Office.

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Pat O'Connell Johnson Academic Improvement and Teacher Quality Programs, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20202 Email: patricia.johnson@ed.gov Phone: (202) 260-7813

Web Site Address

http://www.ed.gov/programs/mathsci/index.html.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: The Vermont Mathematics Partnership is a partnership of the University of Vermont, numerous school districts, and the Vermont Mathematics Initiative--a state organization that supports improvments in mathematics learning. MSP funds support an 80-hour (6 graduate credit) course of content-rich professional development for elementary and middle school teachers taught by math professors over the summer. This professional development is followed up with mentoring and intensive support by highly trained practitioners who have received a masters degree in mathematics. These mentors assist the teachers transfer their knowledge into their classroom practice. In 2006-07 67 teachers were enrolled. Fiscal Year 2009: In 2009, the program is helping the Northern Wisconsin Rural Partnership for Mathematics Education to provide intensive professional development to 57 grade 3-9 teachers to bolster their mathematics content knowledge and to provide support for improving their classroom instruction. Mathematics faculty from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire provide intensive content-rich professional development in the summer. In addition, the faculty and project staff are in each teacher�s classroom for at least two days each school year. The project established an on-going, facilitated, electronic communication system, both synchronous and asynchronous, to encourage reflective dialogue among the rural, isolated teachers. Teachers are pre- and post-tested to determine their knowledge gains, in addition to the recovery classroom observations. The project is designed to reduce isolation of teachers by establishing networks of teachers from similar schools. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Selection criteria are contained in the program guidelines. Contact the Program Office for more information.