**Award Information**

  --------------------- ------------------------------------------------ --
  **Awd Id :**          0000352                                          

  **Award Title text    Michigan Rural Systemic Initiative (MiRSI)       
  :**                   Comprehensive Regional Plan for Systemic Reform  
                        in Mathematics, Science and Technology           

  **NSF Org :**         ehr                                              

  **Award Instr. :**    Cooperative Agreement                            

  **Program Manager.    Lura Jo Chase                                    
  :**                                                                    

  **Division :**        11020000                                         

  **Start Date :**      09-01-2000                                       

  **Expiration Date :** 08-31-2005                                       

  **Est Total Amt :**   \$5,366,659.00                                   

  **Investigator:**     Claudia Douglass                                 

  **Sponsor:**          Cheboygan Otsego Presque Isle Intermediate       
                        School District                                  

                        6065 Learning Lane Indian River ,Michigan 49749  

  **Program Element     7366                                             
  code:**                                                                

  **Abstract :**                                                         

  Michigan Rural                                                         
  Systemic Initiative                                                    
  Abstract The Michigan                                                  
  Rural Systemic                                                         
  Initiative (MIRSI) to                                                  
  Improve Science,                                                       
  Mathematics and                                                        
  Technical Education                                                    
  seeks to organize a                                                    
  consortium of                                                          
  seventeen school                                                       
  districts and two                                                      
  Native American                                                        
  academies in isolated                                                  
  rural school                                                           
  districts in northern                                                  
  Michigan. The                                                          
  Michigan RSI is                                                        
  working                                                                
  collaboratively with                                                   
  universities,                                                          
  community colleges,                                                    
  Tribal Colleges and                                                    
  other agencies to                                                      
  promote local                                                          
  capacity for systemic                                                  
  reform. The                                                            
  initiative will                                                        
  promote                                                                
  standards-base MST by                                                  
  enhancing teacher                                                      
  knowledge of content                                                   
  and technology                                                         
  processes to increase                                                  
  student achievement.                                                   
  Regional coordinators                                                  
  located in the school                                                  
  districts will make                                                    
  available technical                                                    
  assistance,                                                            
  professional                                                           
  development                                                            
  activities and a                                                       
  web-based technology                                                   
  venue to increase                                                      
  access to information                                                  
  and innovations in                                                     
  mathematics, science,                                                  
  and technology                                                         
  education. Web-based                                                   
  technologies will                                                      
  allow rural                                                            
  educators, students,                                                   
  parents, and                                                           
  stakeholders to                                                        
  participate in                                                         
  learning communities                                                   
  for investigations,                                                    
  communications,                                                        
  collaborations, and                                                    
  publications. The RSI                                                  
  will assist districts                                                  
  in the re-alignment                                                    
  and leveraging of                                                      
  resources and to                                                       
  institute the policy                                                   
  changes necessary for                                                  
  true systemic change.                                                  
  The goals of the                                                       
  proposal are to: (1)                                                   
  improve support for                                                    
  the development of a                                                   
  reform agenda for                                                      
  rural schools by                                                       
  forming new regional                                                   
  and statewide                                                          
  collaborations among                                                   
  the rural districts,                                                   
  Michigan State                                                         
  University, North                                                      
  Central Regional                                                       
  Education Laboratory,                                                  
  and other                                                              
  institutions or                                                        
  agencies; (2) to                                                       
  increase community                                                     
  and business                                                           
  involvement in the                                                     
  schools to support                                                     
  the rural agenda in                                                    
  mathematics, science                                                   
  and technology; (3)                                                    
  enhance the                                                            
  understanding of the                                                   
  rural communities and                                                  
  cultures by gathering                                                  
  base-line data from                                                    
  self-studies that                                                      
  examine the                                                            
  contextual variables                                                   
  within the                                                             
  communities and that                                                   
  support the reform                                                     
  agenda; (4) to                                                         
  generate a                                                             
  comprehensive and                                                      
  sustainable                                                            
  implementation plan                                                    
  for systemic reform                                                    
  in mathematics,                                                        
  science, and                                                           
  technology education                                                   
  that transcends                                                        
  levels, and addresses                                                  
  a local and regional                                                   
  vision, seeks a                                                        
  commitment to policy,                                                  
  fiscal and                                                             
  instructional reform,                                                  
  a comparison of                                                        
  programmatic                                                           
  strengths and                                                          
  weaknesses, a secure                                                   
  level of resources to                                                  
  promote change and an                                                  
  expedited reform                                                       
  through state and                                                      
  local policy changes.                                                  
  This proposal aligns                                                   
  with the Michigan                                                      
  School Improvement                                                     
  Plan.                                                                  
  --------------------- ------------------------------------------------ --

**Award Information**

  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---
  **Awd Id :**         0086159                                         

  **Award Title text   Salish Kootenai College-Rural Systemic          
  :**                  Initiative                                      

  **NSF Org :**        ehr                                             

  **Award Instr. :**   Continuing Grant                                

  **Program Manager.   Lura Jo Chase                                   
  :**                                                                  

  **Division :**       11020000                                        

  **Start Date :**     09-01-2000                                      

  **Expiration Date    08-31-2005                                      
  :**                                                                  

  **Est Total Amt :**  \$1,356,000.00                                  

  **Investigator:**    Roger McClure                                   

  **Sponsor:**         Salish Kootenai College                         

                       P O BOX 117 Pablo ,Montana 598550117            

  **Program Element    7366                                            
  code:**                                                              

  **Abstract :**                                                       

  The Salish Kootenai                                                  
  College Rural                                                        
  Systemic Initiative                                                  
  (SKC RSI-Phase II)                                                   
  will result in a                                                     
  transformation of                                                    
  the educational                                                      
  experience for both                                                  
  teachers and                                                         
  students.                                                            
  Professional                                                         
  development for                                                      
  teachers, adoption                                                   
  of effective                                                         
  assessment                                                           
  strategies, and                                                      
  promotion of                                                         
  community                                                            
  involvement in the                                                   
  educational process                                                  
  will enhance the                                                     
  quality and quantity                                                 
  of the learning                                                      
  experience for                                                       
  students in science,                                                 
  mathematics, and                                                     
  technology within                                                    
  and beyond the                                                       
  school walls. The                                                    
  classroom teacher is                                                 
  the key to the                                                       
  effectiveness of the                                                 
  delivery of                                                          
  curricular changes                                                   
  to the individual                                                    
  student. In the SKC                                                  
  RSI project, the                                                     
  primary goal is to                                                   
  have every teacher                                                   
  achieve the status                                                   
  of \"master                                                          
  teacher\" and to                                                     
  have every student                                                   
  achieve the status                                                   
  of \"master                                                          
  learner.\" It is                                                     
  important to                                                         
  understand that the                                                  
  journey of the                                                       
  educational                                                          
  experience Is a                                                      
  balanced effort                                                      
  between teachers and                                                 
  students. The                                                        
  overall goal of this                                                 
  proposal is to                                                       
  implement a                                                          
  comprehensive,                                                       
  sustainable,                                                         
  adaptable                                                            
  system-wide reform                                                   
  of science,                                                          
  mathematics and                                                      
  technology                                                           
  instruction and                                                      
  learning on the                                                      
  Flathead Indian                                                      
  Reservation in                                                       
  Montana. This will                                                   
  lead to increased                                                    
  achievement for all                                                  
  students and                                                         
  specifically                                                         
  emphasizes greater                                                   
  achievements for two                                                 
  groups of                                                            
  under-served                                                         
  populations in this                                                  
  rural setting:                                                       
  Native American                                                      
  students and girls.                                                  
  SKC is the resource                                                  
  identifier for                                                       
  science,                                                             
  mathematics, and                                                     
  technology areas and                                                 
  has already                                                          
  developed coursework                                                 
  in biology,                                                          
  chemistry, physics,                                                  
  and earth sciences.                                                  
  SKC will, in effect,                                                 
  become a \"mini                                                      
  clearinghouse\" for                                                  
  science,                                                             
  mathematics, and                                                     
  technology (SMT)                                                     
  areas using American                                                 
  Indian-specific                                                      
  teaching and                                                         
  learning materials                                                   
  in professional                                                      
  development in SMT                                                   
  areas for teachers                                                   
  and students. SKC is                                                 
  currently preparing                                                  
  assessment                                                           
  strategies and                                                       
  activities that will                                                 
  be shared with other                                                 
  TCRSI projects.                                                      
  Other major goals                                                    
  are the improvement                                                  
  of science,                                                          
  mathematics, and                                                     
  technology education                                                 
  on the Flathead                                                      
  Indian Reservation                                                   
  including access to                                                  
  high quality,                                                        
  standards-based                                                      
  instruction for all                                                  
  students, innovative                                                 
  use of educational                                                   
  technologies for                                                     
  interactive delivery                                                 
  and the training of                                                  
  the teaching                                                         
  workforce to meet                                                    
  the demands of a new                                                 
  instructional                                                        
  paradigm. Rigorous,                                                  
  standards-based                                                      
  instruction for all                                                  
  students will be                                                     
  implemented on the                                                   
  Flathead Indian                                                      
  Reservation and the                                                  
  curriculum,                                                          
  professional                                                         
  development, and                                                     
  assessment systems                                                   
  to support that                                                      
  instruction. The                                                     
  development of the                                                   
  policy changes and                                                   
  resource allocations                                                 
  to support these                                                     
  efforts are the                                                      
  long-term goal of                                                    
  the SKC RSI Program.                                                 
  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---

**Award Information**

  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---
  **Awd Id :**         0086165                                         

  **Award Title text   Wind River Rural Systemic Initiative            
  :**                                                                  

  **NSF Org :**        ehr                                             

  **Award Instr. :**   Continuing Grant                                

  **Program Manager.   Lura Jo Chase                                   
  :**                                                                  

  **Division :**       11020000                                        

  **Start Date :**     10-01-2000                                      

  **Expiration Date    09-30-2005                                      
  :**                                                                  

  **Est Total Amt :**  \$1,250,000.00                                  

  **Investigator:**    Karl Berlin                                     

  **Sponsor:**         Fremont County School District #21              

                       90 Ethete Road Fort Washakie ,Wyoming 825140000 

  **Program Element    7366                                            
  code:**                                                              

  **Abstract :**                                                       

  The Wind River Rural                                                 
  Systemic Initiative                                                  
  (WRRSI) has been                                                     
  promoting quality                                                    
  RSI programs for the                                                 
  Wind River Indian                                                    
  Reservation students                                                 
  for the past five                                                    
  years. Phase II                                                      
  funding will allow                                                   
  WRRSI to expand its                                                  
  focal area and serve                                                 
  approximately 2,150                                                  
  students, of which                                                   
  95% are Native                                                       
  American. The need                                                   
  for science and math                                                 
  systemic reform on                                                   
  the Wind River                                                       
  Indian Reservation                                                   
  is documented by                                                     
  test scores showing                                                  
  Native students                                                      
  still score below                                                    
  the state average.                                                   
  WRRSI\'s Phase I                                                     
  data shows that                                                      
  their programs have                                                  
  made a difference,                                                   
  however, as Wyoming                                                  
  has now adopted                                                      
  statewide standards                                                  
  and has begun to                                                     
  require statewide                                                    
  standardized tests,                                                  
  WRRSI must continue                                                  
  to work to improve                                                   
  these traditionally                                                  
  under served                                                         
  students\' scores.                                                   
  Phase II programming                                                 
  will include:                                                        
  On-going                                                             
  professional                                                         
  development                                                          
  opportunities for                                                    
  teachers on the Wind                                                 
  River Indian                                                         
  Reservation; Summer                                                  
  school and after                                                     
  school activities                                                    
  for K-8 students;                                                    
  Summer institute for                                                 
  9-12 grade students;                                                 
  An integration of                                                    
  culture into the                                                     
  curriculum; and                                                      
  Career awareness and                                                 
  job shadowing                                                        
  programs. Data                                                       
  collection over the                                                  
  next five years will                                                 
  be extensive. WRRSI                                                  
  will develop                                                         
  databases for both                                                   
  students and                                                         
  teachers. Teacher                                                    
  databases will                                                       
  document                                                             
  professional                                                         
  development                                                          
  opportunities and                                                    
  courses taken. The                                                   
  student database                                                     
  will document                                                        
  student achievement                                                  
  and participation in                                                 
  program offerings;                                                   
  track students after                                                 
  they leave high                                                      
  school; and allow                                                    
  WRRSI to determine                                                   
  program                                                              
  effectiveness by                                                     
  comparing students                                                   
  participating in                                                     
  programs to those                                                    
  not participating.                                                   
  WRRSI\'s underlying                                                  
  goal is to provide                                                   
  Native American                                                      
  students with a                                                      
  solid base in                                                        
  science and                                                          
  mathematics to                                                       
  provide                                                              
  opportunities and                                                    
  choices to compete                                                   
  at the college                                                       
  level.                                                               
  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---

**Award Information**

  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---
  **Awd Id :**         0086170                                         

  **Award Title text   LBHC RSI SMT Education                          
  :**                                                                  

  **NSF Org :**        ehr                                             

  **Award Instr. :**   Continuing Grant                                

  **Program Manager.   Anselm Davis                                    
  :**                                                                  

  **Division :**       11020000                                        

  **Start Date :**     09-01-2000                                      

  **Expiration Date    08-31-2006                                      
  :**                                                                  

  **Est Total Amt :**  \$1,249,996.00                                  

  **Investigator:**    David Yarlott                                   

  **Sponsor:**         Little Big Horn College                         

                       P.O. Box 370 1 Forest Lane Crow Agency ,Montana 
                       590220370                                       

  **Program Element    7366                                            
  code:**                                                              

  **Abstract :**                                                       

  Little Big Horn                                                      
  College (LBHC)                                                       
  proposes to build                                                    
  upon Phase I                                                         
  activities to                                                        
  develop and maintain                                                 
  a comprehensive and                                                  
  sustainable reform                                                   
  effort in                                                            
  mathematics, science                                                 
  and technology                                                       
  education for                                                        
  schools on or                                                        
  adjacent to the Crow                                                 
  Tribe Reseravtion in                                                 
  southeastern                                                         
  Montana. LBHC will                                                   
  utilize the lessons                                                  
  learned from Phase I                                                 
  activites and                                                        
  continue to promote                                                  
  the NSF drivers                                                      
  while implementing                                                   
  strategies to assist                                                 
  in their effort to                                                   
  provide a program                                                    
  that will catapult                                                   
  the schools serving                                                  
  their students to                                                    
  meet the National                                                    
  standards. Special                                                   
  emphasis will be                                                     
  placed on a holistic                                                 
  approach to                                                          
  community reform                                                     
  using RSI activities                                                 
  to promote a                                                         
  comprehensive                                                        
  approach for                                                         
  systemic reform.                                                     
  First, it is                                                         
  recognized that the                                                  
  vision held by                                                       
  stakeholders must be                                                 
  changed to                                                           
  accomplish systemic                                                  
  reform. Through the                                                  
  stages of                                                            
  implementation, the                                                  
  various groups must                                                  
  be increased to                                                      
  shape the purpose                                                    
  and goals of the new                                                 
  system. LBHC will                                                    
  invite all                                                           
  stakeholders to                                                      
  participate in this                                                  
  process. As the                                                      
  vision develops and                                                  
  is translated into                                                   
  practice, the                                                        
  support of the                                                       
  public and of the                                                    
  political leadership                                                 
  at all levels of the                                                 
  system must expand.                                                  
  Several isssues will                                                 
  be addressed during                                                  
  Phase II to ensure                                                   
  that the                                                             
  stakeholders are in                                                  
  careful                                                              
  collaboration. The                                                   
  following will guide                                                 
  this effort: A                                                       
  common language and                                                  
  purpose will be                                                      
  develop and will                                                     
  resonate for the RSI                                                 
  to all stakeholders.                                                 
  Training and                                                         
  orientation will                                                     
  help all sites to                                                    
  envision the total                                                   
  picture and each                                                     
  will be better                                                       
  positioned to take                                                   
  action and support                                                   
  the reform effort. A                                                 
  strategy will be                                                     
  implemented to move                                                  
  reform forward with                                                  
  a clear plan and                                                     
  related objectives.                                                  
  An evaluation                                                        
  process will be                                                      
  implemented to                                                       
  measure the progress                                                 
  and guide the                                                        
  project. For                                                         
  systemic change to                                                   
  occur, key                                                           
  participants will be                                                 
  included in all                                                      
  activities                                                           
  throughout the                                                       
  reform process. The                                                  
  proposed systemic                                                    
  reform effort will                                                   
  impact the required                                                  
  fundamental,                                                         
  comprehensive and                                                    
  coordinated changes                                                  
  for MST systemic                                                     
  change. The changes                                                  
  will reflect policy,                                                 
  financing,                                                           
  governance,                                                          
  management, content                                                  
  and conduct. All                                                     
  essential features                                                   
  of the school                                                        
  systems and LBHC                                                     
  will be engaged and                                                  
  operating as a                                                       
  seamless entity in                                                   
  promoting a                                                          
  comprehensive,                                                       
  standards-based                                                      
  curriculum and                                                       
  instructional                                                        
  materials for all                                                    
  students. Special                                                    
  emphasis will be                                                     
  placed on assessment                                                 
  of effort and on                                                     
  assessment                                                           
  practices.                                                           
  Activities will be                                                   
  aligned with the NSF                                                 
  drivers.                                                             
  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---

**Award Information**

  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---
  **Awd Id :**         0086171                                         

  **Award Title text   Turtle Mountain Rural Systemic Initiative       
  :**                                                                  

  **NSF Org :**        ehr                                             

  **Award Instr. :**   Continuing Grant                                

  **Program Manager.   Lura Jo Chase                                   
  :**                                                                  

  **Division :**       11020000                                        

  **Start Date :**     09-01-2000                                      

  **Expiration Date    08-31-2005                                      
  :**                                                                  

  **Est Total Amt :**  \$1,281,036.00                                  

  **Investigator:**    Gerald Monette                                  

  **Sponsor:**         Turtle Mountain Community College               

                       Box 340 Belcourt ,North Dakota 583160340        

  **Program Element    7366                                            
  code:**                                                              

  **Abstract :**                                                       

  The Turtle Mountain                                                  
  Rural Systemic                                                       
  Initiative proposal                                                  
  for Phase II                                                         
  proposes that the                                                    
  Turtle Mountain                                                      
  Community College                                                    
  coordinate continues                                                 
  systemic reform of                                                   
  the K-12 schools in                                                  
  the reservation                                                      
  area. These schools                                                  
  include: Dunseith                                                    
  Day School, Dunseith                                                 
  Public Elementary                                                    
  School, Dunseith                                                     
  High School, Ojibwa                                                  
  Elementary School,                                                   
  Turtle Mountain                                                      
  Elementary School,                                                   
  Turtle Mountain                                                      
  Middle School and                                                    
  Turtle Mountain High                                                 
  School.                                                              
  Objectives 1.                                                        
  Sustain professional                                                 
  development of                                                       
  staffs of Turtle                                                     
  Mountain schools as                                                  
  a year-round                                                         
  endeavor. 2.                                                         
  Institutionalize the                                                 
  process for                                                          
  continually                                                          
  reviewing, revising                                                  
  and implementing                                                     
  standards-based                                                      
  curriculum in all                                                    
  classrooms in each                                                   
  school engaging the                                                  
  teachers in                                                          
  alternative                                                          
  assessments. 3.                                                      
  Establishing teacher                                                 
  learning communities                                                 
  headed by lead                                                       
  teacher to continue                                                  
  to improve                                                           
  instruction in SMET                                                  
  areas. 4. Put in                                                     
  place policy                                                         
  mandates supporting                                                  
  high quality SMET at                                                 
  all levels of each                                                   
  system. 5. Sustain a                                                 
  resource network for                                                 
  continuing                                                           
  organizational                                                       
  improvement in SMET                                                  
  areas. 6.                                                            
  Disseminate success                                                  
  via a conference                                                     
  involving                                                            
  stakeholders in SMET                                                 
  to demonstrate gains                                                 
  in student                                                           
  achievement for                                                      
  traditionally                                                        
  underserved                                                          
  populations. Methods                                                 
  The TMRSI will                                                       
  institutionalize the                                                 
  ongoing annual                                                       
  Teacher Enhancement                                                  
  Institute pre-school                                                 
  year training                                                        
  session providing                                                    
  graduate credits for                                                 
  area teachers.                                                       
  TMCC\'s newly                                                        
  constructed main                                                     
  campus will become                                                   
  its permanent site.                                                  
  To support continued                                                 
  staff renewal, a                                                     
  teacher learning                                                     
  community program                                                    
  will be implemented                                                  
  in which lead                                                        
  teachers will                                                        
  identified and                                                       
  trained to conduct                                                   
  staff improvement                                                    
  clinics for their                                                    
  fellow teachers in                                                   
  SMET areas. TMRSI                                                    
  will assist area                                                     
  schools in obtaining                                                 
  consultants to help                                                  
  systematically                                                       
  acquaint them with                                                   
  varied alternative                                                   
  assessment methods                                                   
  and to conduct one                                                   
  pilot project in                                                     
  alternative                                                          
  assessment in area                                                   
  schools. TMRSI will                                                  
  work with policy                                                     
  makers to shape                                                      
  mandates including                                                   
  reserved inservice                                                   
  days for improved                                                    
  SMET education.                                                      
  Rational budget                                                      
  forecasting,                                                         
  leveraging funds                                                     
  from external                                                        
  resource providers,                                                  
  and implementing and                                                 
  annual SMET                                                          
  conference will also                                                 
  sustain the momentum                                                 
  of system reform                                                     
  from Phase I.                                                        
  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---

**Award Information**

  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---
  **Awd Id :**         0086177                                         

  **Award Title text   United Tribes- Rural Systemic Initiative        
  :**                                                                  

  **NSF Org :**        ehr                                             

  **Award Instr. :**   Continuing Grant                                

  **Program Manager.   Lura Jo Chase                                   
  :**                                                                  

  **Division :**       11020000                                        

  **Start Date :**     09-01-2000                                      

  **Expiration Date    08-31-2005                                      
  :**                                                                  

  **Est Total Amt :**  \$1,245,592.00                                  

  **Investigator:**    David Gipp                                      

  **Sponsor:**         United Tribes Technical College                 

                       3315 University Drive Bismarck ,North Dakota    
                       58504                                           

  **Program Element    7366                                            
  code:**                                                              

  **Abstract :**                                                       

  The proposed work                                                    
  would build upon the                                                 
  pilot activities                                                     
  undertaken through                                                   
  the TCRSI, which                                                     
  centered around                                                      
  schools in two. The                                                  
  focus of the                                                         
  proposed work is                                                     
  curricular alignment                                                 
  with technology                                                      
  integration. UTTC is                                                 
  a leader in distance                                                 
  instruction and                                                      
  instructional                                                        
  technology for the                                                   
  tribal colleges in                                                   
  the state. The                                                       
  conduct of the                                                       
  project will be                                                      
  under the guidance                                                   
  of an Advisory                                                       
  Council, composed of                                                 
  parents, teachers,                                                   
  administrators,                                                      
  students and                                                         
  corporate partners.                                                  
  The works will be                                                    
  accomplished through                                                 
  avenues such as                                                      
  improved pedagogy,                                                   
  improved content,                                                    
  standards-based                                                      
  materials,                                                           
  integration of                                                       
  technology into                                                      
  instruction,                                                         
  professional                                                         
  development                                                          
  workshops and                                                        
  training, and the                                                    
  use of technology                                                    
  resource teachers.                                                   
  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---

**Award Information**

  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---
  **Awd Id :**         0086180                                         

  **Award Title text   Sitting Bull College Rural Systemic Initiative  
  :**                                                                  

  **NSF Org :**        ehr                                             

  **Award Instr. :**   Continuing Grant                                

  **Program Manager.   Lura Jo Chase                                   
  :**                                                                  

  **Division :**       11020000                                        

  **Start Date :**     02-01-2001                                      

  **Expiration Date    01-31-2006                                      
  :**                                                                  

  **Est Total Amt :**  \$1,250,000.00                                  

  **Investigator:**    Laurel Vermillion                               

  **Sponsor:**         Sitting Bull College                            

                       1341 92nd Street Fort Yates ,North Dakota 58538 

  **Program Element    7366                                            
  code:**                                                              

  **Abstract :**                                                       

  The project would                                                    
  build upon the                                                       
  on-going activities                                                  
  undertaken through                                                   
  the TCRSI, which                                                     
  centered around                                                      
  schools on the                                                       
  Standing Rock Sioux                                                  
  Reservation that                                                     
  straddles North and                                                  
  South Dakota. The                                                    
  work will be                                                         
  accomplished through                                                 
  avenues such as                                                      
  professional                                                         
  development                                                          
  workshops and                                                        
  guidance,                                                            
  collaboration with                                                   
  the school systems                                                   
  involved in the                                                      
  project, and active                                                  
  participation and                                                    
  leadership by                                                        
  Sitting Bull College                                                 
  to facilitate                                                        
  change, direct                                                       
  delivery of                                                          
  services, and                                                        
  restructuring its                                                    
  own math and science                                                 
  programs.                                                            
  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---

**Award Information**

  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---
  **Awd Id :**         0086181                                         

  **Award Title text   Sisseton Wahpeton Rural Systemic Initiative     
  :**                                                                  

  **NSF Org :**        ehr                                             

  **Award Instr. :**   Continuing Grant                                

  **Program Manager.   Anselm Davis                                    
  :**                                                                  

  **Division :**       11020000                                        

  **Start Date :**     09-01-2000                                      

  **Expiration Date    08-31-2005                                      
  :**                                                                  

  **Est Total Amt :**  \$1,250,000.00                                  

  **Investigator:**    Scott Morgan                                    

  **Sponsor:**         Sisseton Wahpeton Community College             

                       Old Agency Box 689 Sisseton ,South Dakota       
                       572620689                                       

  **Program Element    7366                                            
  code:**                                                              

  **Abstract :**                                                       

  The Sisseton                                                         
  Wahpeton Rural                                                       
  Systemic Initiative,                                                 
  based at the                                                         
  Sisseton Wahpeton                                                    
  Community College,                                                   
  is in many aspects a                                                 
  continuation of the                                                  
  Tribal Colleges                                                      
  Rural Systemic                                                       
  Initiative. However,                                                 
  since it is a                                                        
  locally based                                                        
  project, instead of                                                  
  a six-state effort,                                                  
  we will be able to                                                   
  concentrate on the                                                   
  educational needs of                                                 
  the Lake Traverse                                                    
  Reservation                                                          
  population to a far                                                  
  greater extent. The                                                  
  ultimate goal of the                                                 
  SWRSI project is                                                     
  improve the                                                          
  education,                                                           
  particularly in the                                                  
  areas of math and                                                    
  science, of our                                                      
  children through                                                     
  systemic reform.                                                     
  This is a process                                                    
  that requires the                                                    
  support and                                                          
  dedication of all                                                    
  the stakeholders in                                                  
  the community. This                                                  
  reform began three                                                   
  years ago with the                                                   
  introduction of the                                                  
  TCRSI program, with                                                  
  the development and                                                  
  adoption of                                                          
  standards and                                                        
  increased                                                            
  professional                                                         
  development in                                                       
  research-based                                                       
  curricula. The                                                       
  formation of a                                                       
  coalition of the                                                     
  local school                                                         
  districts and the                                                    
  establishment of                                                     
  \"focal schools\"                                                    
  also occurred.                                                       
  Activities during                                                    
  the TCRSI project                                                    
  are referred to as                                                   
  Phase I. Phase II                                                    
  will be a more                                                       
  intensive program of                                                 
  systemic reform,                                                     
  with our major                                                       
  objectives being the                                                 
  increased                                                            
  implementation of                                                    
  research-based                                                       
  curricula and the                                                    
  development of                                                       
  culturally relevant                                                  
  alternative                                                          
  assessments. These                                                   
  assessments will be                                                  
  tied to benchmarks                                                   
  established by local                                                 
  and state standards,                                                 
  and correlated to                                                    
  traditional                                                          
  standardized tests.                                                  
  By this method our                                                   
  schools will be able                                                 
  to develop better                                                    
  teaching methods                                                     
  based on our                                                         
  students learning                                                    
  styles. The                                                          
  implementation of                                                    
  research-based                                                       
  curricula is a                                                       
  potential hazard if                                                  
  not supported by                                                     
  up-to-date and                                                       
  intensive                                                            
  professional                                                         
  development for                                                      
  teachers. When these                                                 
  programs are                                                         
  introduced without                                                   
  understanding their                                                  
  underlying                                                           
  philosophies, the                                                    
  curriculum becomes                                                   
  part of the problem.                                                 
  Our second objective                                                 
  is to create a                                                       
  system of                                                            
  professional                                                         
  development that is                                                  
  curriculum specific,                                                 
  intensive, ongoing,                                                  
  and relevant to                                                      
  teacher needs. At                                                    
  the same it must be                                                  
  able to overcome the                                                 
  problems of a rural                                                  
  setting, limited                                                     
  budgets, and high                                                    
  teacher turnover                                                     
  rates. Our strategy                                                  
  to overcome these                                                    
  issues is to use                                                     
  distant learning                                                     
  technologies,                                                        
  web-based support,                                                   
  and the development                                                  
  of local experts at                                                  
  SWCC and                                                             
  lead-teachers in the                                                 
  focal schools.                                                       
  Information given at                                                 
  \"traditional\"                                                      
  workshops and via                                                    
  video conferencing                                                   
  sessions will be                                                     
  placed on curricula                                                  
  support web pages                                                    
  available 24 hours a                                                 
  day to our                                                           
  participants.                                                        
  Questions related to                                                 
  the use of the                                                       
  curricula could be                                                   
  posted with answers                                                  
  being provided by                                                    
  expert consultants                                                   
  or other classroom                                                   
  teachers. To combat                                                  
  the high teacher                                                     
  turnover rate                                                        
  Internet courses for                                                 
  training purposes                                                    
  will be developed                                                    
  and maintain by                                                      
  SWRSI and                                                            
  collaborating                                                        
  institutions. These                                                  
  efforts will                                                         
  directly address the                                                 
  issue of                                                             
  sustainability. The                                                  
  third objective of                                                   
  the SWRSI project is                                                 
  to increase the                                                      
  level of cooperation                                                 
  between the                                                          
  individual focal                                                     
  schools and the                                                      
  tribal college. An                                                   
  Administrators                                                       
  Committee and a                                                      
  Steering Committee                                                   
  (composed of focal                                                   
  schoolteachers, SWCC                                                 
  staff, and community                                                 
  members) has been                                                    
  formed as one                                                        
  component of this                                                    
  effort. The                                                          
  professional                                                         
  development                                                          
  activities of SWRSI                                                  
  will attribute to                                                    
  this effort, as each                                                 
  school will help                                                     
  plan and participate                                                 
  in these                                                             
  joint-training                                                       
  sessions.                                                            
  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---

**Award Information**

  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---
  **Awd Id :**         0087557                                         

  **Award Title text   Continuation and Expansion of Collaboration     
  :**                  between South African National Research         
                       Foundation and the US National Science          
                       Foundation                                      

  **NSF Org :**        ehr                                             

  **Award Instr. :**   Continuing Grant                                

  **Program Manager.   Lura Jo Chase                                   
  :**                                                                  

  **Division :**       11020000                                        

  **Start Date :**     09-15-2000                                      

  **Expiration Date    08-31-2005                                      
  :**                                                                  

  **Est Total Amt :**  \$1,024,225.00                                  

  **Investigator:**    Peter Hewson                                    

  **Sponsor:**         University of Wisconsin-Madison                 

                       750 University Ave Madison ,Wisconsin 537061490 

  **Program Element    7366                                            
  code:**                                                              

  **Abstract :**                                                       

  This award will                                                      
  conduct an                                                           
  educational research                                                 
  project in                                                           
  conjunction with                                                     
  some universities                                                    
  and faculty in both                                                  
  the United States                                                    
  and South Africa.                                                    
  The focus of the                                                     
  project will be                                                      
  standards-based                                                      
  education reform.                                                    
  The project will                                                     
  support exchange of                                                  
  faculty and graduate                                                 
  students, as well as                                                 
  some research costs.                                                 
  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---

**Award Information**

  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---
  **Awd Id :**         0099650                                         

  **Award Title text   South Texas Rural Systemic Initiative           
  :**                                                                  

  **NSF Org :**        ehr                                             

  **Award Instr. :**   Cooperative Agreement                           

  **Program Manager.   Lura Jo Chase                                   
  :**                                                                  

  **Division :**       11020000                                        

  **Start Date :**     07-01-2001                                      

  **Expiration Date    06-30-2006                                      
  :**                                                                  

  **Est Total Amt :**  \$5,999,997.00                                  

  **Investigator:**    Diana Marinez                                   

  **Sponsor:**         Texas Engineering Experiment Station            

                       332 Wisenbaker Engr. Res. Ctr. 3000 TAMU        
                       College Station ,Texas 778433000                

  **Program Element    7366                                            
  code:**                                                              

  **Abstract :**                                                       

  This proposal from                                                   
  Texas A&M                                                            
  University - Corpus                                                  
  Christi (TAMU-CC)                                                    
  targets a large area                                                 
  and a significant                                                    
  number of school                                                     
  districts in South                                                   
  Texas, known as the                                                  
  Valley region. The                                                   
  proposed work is                                                     
  organized around                                                     
  four partnership                                                     
  activities: District                                                 
  and Community Forum                                                  
  to allow STRSI staff                                                 
  to explain the                                                       
  reform activities                                                    
  and gain the                                                         
  acceptance and                                                       
  cooperation of the                                                   
  school and community                                                 
  (especially                                                          
  parental)                                                            
  stakeholders.                                                        
  Systemic Leadership                                                  
  Institute to                                                         
  annually gather the                                                  
  district Leadership                                                  
  Teams for improving                                                  
  team capacity and                                                    
  for team networking.                                                 
  Teacher Partner                                                      
  Academy for                                                          
  leadership, content,                                                 
  and pedagogy                                                         
  training for the                                                     
  master teacher who                                                   
  provide the                                                          
  principal                                                            
  intervention in the                                                  
  schools.                                                             
  Administrative                                                       
  Partner Academy to                                                   
  ensure                                                               
  administrative                                                       
  support and                                                          
  leadrship for the                                                    
  reform.                                                              
  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---

**Award Information**

  --------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---
  **Awd Id :**          0107150                                         

  **Award Title text    Turtle Mountain Technical Assistance Center     
  :**                   (TMTAC)                                         

  **NSF Org :**         ehr                                             

  **Award Instr. :**    Continuing Grant                                

  **Program Manager.    Lura Jo Chase                                   
  :**                                                                   

  **Division :**        11020000                                        

  **Start Date :**      08-01-2001                                      

  **Expiration Date :** 07-31-2005                                      

  **Est Total Amt :**   \$801,573.00                                    

  **Investigator:**     Gerald Monette                                  

  **Sponsor:**          Turtle Mountain Community College               

                        Box 340 Belcourt ,North Dakota 583160340        

  **Program Element     7366                                            
  code:**                                                               

  **Abstract :**                                                        

  The Turtle Mountain                                                   
  Technical Assistance                                                  
  Center project will                                                   
  conduct leadership                                                    
  development and                                                       
  capacity building                                                     
  activities for a                                                      
  group of                                                              
  tribally-controlled                                                   
  colleges in the Upper                                                 
  Great Plains. The                                                     
  activities will be                                                    
  determined by the                                                     
  goals of the                                                          
  individual colleges                                                   
  in conjunction wit                                                    
  judgements made by                                                    
  the expert staff of                                                   
  the reently expired                                                   
  Tribal College Rural                                                  
  Systemic Initiative.                                                  
  Findings will be                                                      
  disseminated through                                                  
  the professional                                                      
  outreach avenues of                                                   
  the key leadership.                                                   
  --------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---

**Award Information**

  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---
  **Awd Id :**         0122948                                         

  **Award Title text   Rural Systemic Initiatives in Science,          
  :**                  Mathematics,and Technology Education - RSI:     
                       Leadership Development for Master Teachers      

  **NSF Org :**        ehr                                             

  **Award Instr. :**   Standard Grant                                  

  **Program Manager.   Lura Jo Chase                                   
  :**                                                                  

  **Division :**       11020000                                        

  **Start Date :**     09-01-2001                                      

  **Expiration Date    08-31-2005                                      
  :**                                                                  

  **Est Total Amt :**  \$749,107.00                                    

  **Investigator:**    Gerald Monette                                  

  **Sponsor:**         Turtle Mountain Community College               

                       Box 340 Belcourt ,North Dakota 583160340        

  **Program Element    7366                                            
  code:**                                                              

  **Abstract :**                                                       

  ABSTRACT\--TMCC LDMT                                                 
  The project would                                                    
  work with teachers                                                   
  who are involved in                                                  
  the RSI reform. It                                                   
  would provide                                                        
  professional                                                         
  development                                                          
  opportunities to the                                                 
  teachers in the RSI                                                  
  schools, and would                                                   
  develop and                                                          
  institutionalize                                                     
  standards-based                                                      
  curriculum for                                                       
  reservation schools.                                                 
  These activities are                                                 
  strongly aligned                                                     
  with the goals of                                                    
  the RSI project. The                                                 
  professional                                                         
  development offered                                                  
  to teachers would be                                                 
  heavily                                                              
  content-oriented,                                                    
  with some                                                            
  pedagogical                                                          
  training.                                                            
  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---

**Award Information**

  ---------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---
  **Awd Id :**           0122974                                         

  **Award Title text :** Rural Systemic Initiatives in Science,          
                         Mathematics, and Technology Education - RSI:    
                         SKC Leadership Development for Master Teachers  

  **NSF Org :**          ehr                                             

  **Award Instr. :**     Standard Grant                                  

  **Program Manager. :** Lura Jo Chase                                   

  **Division :**         11020000                                        

  **Start Date :**       09-01-2001                                      

  **Expiration Date :**  08-31-2005                                      

  **Est Total Amt :**    \$750,000.00                                    

  **Investigator:**      Roger McClure                                   

  **Sponsor:**           Salish Kootenai College                         

                         P O BOX 117 Pablo ,Montana 598550117            

  **Program Element      7366                                            
  code:**                                                                

  **Abstract :**                                                         

  ABSTRACT The project                                                   
  would work with                                                        
  teachers who are                                                       
  involved in the RSI                                                    
  reform. It would                                                       
  provide professional                                                   
  development                                                            
  opportunities to the                                                   
  teachers in the RSI                                                    
  schools, and would                                                     
  develop a                                                              
  culturally-relevant,                                                   
  standards-based                                                        
  curriculum for                                                         
  reservation schools.                                                   
  These activities are                                                   
  strongly aligned with                                                  
  the goals of the RSI                                                   
  project. The                                                           
  professional                                                           
  development offered to                                                 
  teachers would be                                                      
  heavily                                                                
  content-oriented, with                                                 
  some pedagogical                                                       
  training.                                                              
  ---------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---

**Award Information**

  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---
  **Awd Id :**         0123072                                         

  **Award Title text   Rural Systemic Initiatives in Science,          
  :**                  Mathematics,and Technology Education - RSI:     
                       Leadership Fellows for the Texas Rural Systemic 
                       Initiative                                      

  **NSF Org :**        ehr                                             

  **Award Instr. :**   Standard Grant                                  

  **Program Manager.   Lura Jo Chase                                   
  :**                                                                  

  **Division :**       11020000                                        

  **Start Date :**     09-01-2001                                      

  **Expiration Date    08-31-2005                                      
  :**                                                                  

  **Est Total Amt :**  \$750,000.00                                    

  **Investigator:**    Angela Spaulding                                

  **Sponsor:**         Texas Engineering Experiment Station            

                       332 Wisenbaker Engr. Res. Ctr. 3000 TAMU        
                       College Station ,Texas 778433000                

  **Program Element    7366                                            
  code:**                                                              

  **Abstract :**                                                       

  Abstract The Texas                                                   
  Rural Systemic                                                       
  Initiative (TRSI)                                                    
  currently has 450                                                    
  Teacher Partners                                                     
  roughly divided into                                                 
  5 regions. The                                                       
  Leadership                                                           
  Development Project                                                  
  intends to select 15                                                 
  members of this                                                      
  group to give them                                                   
  three years of                                                       
  training to become                                                   
  Leadership Fellows.                                                  
  The group will be                                                    
  diverse in geography                                                 
  (around the state,                                                   
  distributed among                                                    
  the regions), area                                                   
  of expertise                                                         
  (science or                                                          
  mathematics) and                                                     
  grade level                                                          
  (elementary or                                                       
  secondary). The                                                      
  members will commit                                                  
  to the three-years                                                   
  of training                                                          
  up-front. Given the                                                  
  dire need for                                                        
  science and                                                          
  mathematics                                                          
  teachers, especially                                                 
  in rural areas, the                                                  
  Leadership Project                                                   
  opted not to seek                                                    
  the release of                                                       
  teachers from the                                                    
  classroom any more                                                   
  than necessary. The                                                  
  potential Leadership                                                 
  Fellows would                                                        
  participate in the                                                   
  TRSI Leadership                                                      
  Academy for the 3                                                    
  years. They would be                                                 
  required to                                                          
  participate each                                                     
  year in three                                                        
  four-day intensive                                                   
  sessions, and in                                                     
  addition a one-week                                                  
  summer session at                                                    
  the Texas A & M                                                      
  campus in Corpus                                                     
  Christie. These                                                      
  leadership sessions                                                  
  would emphasize                                                      
  leadership strands                                                   
  as well as major                                                     
  topics associated                                                    
  with systemic                                                        
  reform. The Fellows                                                  
  will form regional                                                   
  groups mentored by                                                   
  regional science and                                                 
  mathematics                                                          
  specialists. The                                                     
  Fellows will be                                                      
  under a learn,                                                       
  implement, share                                                     
  dictum, and thus                                                     
  will be encouraged                                                   
  to communicate with                                                  
  and support each                                                     
  other, especially                                                    
  within regional                                                      
  groups. Electronic                                                   
  communication on a                                                   
  regular basis will                                                   
  be encouraged. There                                                 
  will be a TRSI                                                       
  Leadership Fellows                                                   
  Advisory Board and                                                   
  each of the Fellows                                                  
  will select an                                                       
  advisor from this                                                    
  board. Under the                                                     
  guide of this                                                        
  advisor, the Leader                                                  
  will work on a                                                       
  Fellowship Project                                                   
  with the intent of                                                   
  impacting their                                                      
  school or district.                                                  
  The first year each                                                  
  Fellow will develop                                                  
  their project, which                                                 
  will be implemented                                                  
  in each of the                                                       
  following two years                                                  
  of the project. The                                                  
  evaluator for the                                                    
  Texas RSI will act                                                   
  in the same function                                                 
  for the Leadership                                                   
  Academy. The main                                                    
  source of                                                            
  dissemination is                                                     
  intended to be the                                                   
  Fellows                                                              
  themselves-both                                                      
  through their                                                        
  pronouncement of                                                     
  learn, implement,                                                    
  share, and their                                                     
  expected return to                                                   
  the Leadership                                                       
  Academy to help                                                      
  train future                                                         
  leaders.                                                             
  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---

**Award Information**

  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---
  **Awd Id :**         0123112                                         

  **Award Title text   Rural Systemic Initiatives in Science,          
  :**                  Mathematics,and Technology Education - RSI:     
                       Leadership for Science and Mathematics Program  
                       Improvement Through Master Teachers             

  **NSF Org :**        ehr                                             

  **Award Instr. :**   Standard Grant                                  

  **Program Manager.   Lura Jo Chase                                   
  :**                                                                  

  **Division :**       11020000                                        

  **Start Date :**     09-01-2001                                      

  **Expiration Date    08-31-2005                                      
  :**                                                                  

  **Est Total Amt :**  \$745,242.00                                    

  **Investigator:**    Kimberly Zeidler                                

  **Sponsor:**         University of Kentucky Research Foundation      

                       109 Kinkead Hall Lexington ,Kentucky 405060057  

  **Program Element    7366                                            
  code:**                                                              

  **Abstract :**                                                       

  ABSTRACT The project                                                 
  would work with                                                      
  teachers who are                                                     
  involved in the RSI                                                  
  reform. It would                                                     
  provide professional                                                 
  development                                                          
  opportunities to the                                                 
  teachers in the RSI                                                  
  schools, and would                                                   
  develop a                                                            
  sustainable                                                          
  leadership component                                                 
  for the central                                                      
  Appalachian region.                                                  
  These activities are                                                 
  strongly aligned                                                     
  with the goals of                                                    
  the RSI project. The                                                 
  professional                                                         
  development offered                                                  
  to teachers would be                                                 
  heavily                                                              
  content-oriented,                                                    
  with some                                                            
  pedagogical                                                          
  training.                                                            
  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---

**Award Information**

  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---
  **Awd Id :**         0343712                                         

  **Award Title text   Accomplishment Based Renewal Funding Proposal   
  :**                  To Mathematics and Science Education in Rural   
                       America: An Evaluative Study of NSF\'s Rural    
                       Systemic Initiative \[REC-0129898\]             

  **NSF Org :**        ehr                                             

  **Award Instr. :**   Standard Grant                                  

  **Program Manager.   Anselm Davis                                    
  :**                                                                  

  **Division :**       11020000                                        

  **Start Date :**     10-01-2003                                      

  **Expiration Date    09-30-2004                                      
  :**                                                                  

  **Est Total Amt :**  \$298,976.00                                    

  **Investigator:**    Jason Kim                                       

  **Sponsor:**         Systemic Research, Inc.                         

                       150 Kerry Place, 2nd FL Norwood ,Massachusetts  
                       020624766                                       

  **Program Element    7366                                            
  code:**                                                              

  **Abstract :**                                                       

  Proposal No. 0343712                                                 
  is a continuation of                                                 
  an existing                                                          
  evaluation study                                                     
  designed to review                                                   
  the impact of the                                                    
  Rural Systemic                                                       
  Initiative (RSI)                                                     
  Program. Since                                                       
  October 1, 2001,                                                     
  Systemic Research,                                                   
  Inc. has been                                                        
  working on this                                                      
  two-year NSF grant                                                   
  titled \"Mathematics                                                 
  and Science                                                          
  Education in Rural                                                   
  America: An                                                          
  Evaluative Study of                                                  
  NSF\'s Rural                                                         
  Systemic                                                             
  Initiative.\" Hence,                                                 
  the proposal                                                         
  requests support to                                                  
  continue collecting                                                  
  data through the                                                     
  2002-03 school year.                                                 
  The collection and                                                   
  analysis of the                                                      
  2002-2003 data will                                                  
  complete a decade of                                                 
  ongoing research and                                                 
  evaluation of the                                                    
  RSI. The current                                                     
  activities of the                                                    
  grant to be expanded                                                 
  as a result of a                                                     
  one-year extension                                                   
  are: Development,                                                    
  collection, and                                                      
  compilation of                                                       
  RKID-2004 Rural Math                                                 
  and Science                                                          
  Indicator                                                            
  Report:2004                                                          
  Publication of                                                       
  updated RSI Case                                                     
  Stories with                                                         
  additional indicator                                                 
  data RSI/RKID web                                                    
  site upgrade for                                                     
  enhanced                                                             
  communication, RKID                                                  
  management, and                                                      
  dissemination                                                        
  RSI/RKID Annual                                                      
  Workshop RSI                                                         
  Advisory Panel                                                       
  Meeting                                                              
  Dissemination of                                                     
  study results                                                        
  through printed                                                      
  copy, CD-ROM, and                                                    
  web.                                                                 
  -------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---

**Award Information**

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  **Awd Id :**                9813616                                         

  **Award Title text :**      Navajo Nation Rural Systemic Initiative         

  **NSF Org :**               ehr                                             

  **Award Instr. :**          Cooperative Agreement                           

  **Program Manager. :**      Lura Jo Chase                                   

  **Division :**              11020000                                        

  **Start Date :**            10-01-1998                                      

  **Expiration Date :**       03-31-2005                                      

  **Est Total Amt :**         \$8,500,000.00                                  

  **Investigator:**           Kalvin White                                    

  **Sponsor:**                Navajo Nation                                   

                              P.O. Box 670 Window Rock ,Arizona 86515         

  **Program Element code:**   7366                                            

  **Abstract :**                                                              

  The Navajo Nation                                                           
  encompasses land                                                            
  approximately the size of                                                   
  the state of West Virginia                                                  
  (25,000 square miles),                                                      
  located in the states of                                                    
  Arizona, New Mexico and                                                     
  Utah and has six school                                                     
  systems with over 160                                                       
  schools on the Navajo                                                       
  Reservation. The Navajo                                                     
  Nation is seeking to create                                                 
  a systemic reform effort                                                    
  for science, mathematics                                                    
  and technology by building                                                  
  upon one component of the                                                   
  currently funded                                                            
  Utah-Colorado-Arizona-New                                                   
  Mexico Rural Systemic                                                       
  Initiative (UCAN-RSI). The                                                  
  UCAN experience indicates                                                   
  that there is a need for a                                                  
  new and expanded endeavor                                                   
  for the Navajo Nation                                                       
  schools. The major factors                                                  
  leading to this conclusion                                                  
  include: the need for                                                       
  Navajo Nation leadership;                                                   
  the large geographical area                                                 
  and number of schools to be                                                 
  served on the Navajo                                                        
  Reservation; the                                                            
  complexities among the six                                                  
  different school systems in                                                 
  three states; and the                                                       
  limited resources available                                                 
  through the UCAN RSI. To                                                    
  build a successful                                                          
  sustainable program, the                                                    
  need for strong Navajo                                                      
  leadership to direct and                                                    
  control of the reform                                                       
  effort on a wider scale is                                                  
  paramount. This proposal                                                    
  will greatly expand the                                                     
  commitment and number of                                                    
  schools participating in                                                    
  the mathematics, science                                                    
  and technology systemic                                                     
  reform programs. The NN-RSI                                                 
  is a collaborative endeavor                                                 
  of the Navajo Nation\'s                                                     
  Division of Dine Education,                                                 
  the six school systems                                                      
  operating on the                                                            
  reservation, the Dine                                                       
  College, (formerly the                                                      
  Navajo Community College),                                                  
  the local business                                                          
  community and other                                                         
  universities in proximity                                                   
  to the Navajo Nation. The                                                   
  Navajo Nation Rural                                                         
  Systemic Initiative                                                         
  (NN-RSI) will function as                                                   
  an entity under the Navajo                                                  
  Nation government, which                                                    
  has access to other                                                         
  educational resources for                                                   
  collaborative efforts. The                                                  
  NN-RSI will be administered                                                 
  under the recently expanded                                                 
  Office of Dine Science,                                                     
  Mathematics, and Technology                                                 
  (DSMT). Five Regional                                                       
  Centers located at K-12                                                     
  schools will be established                                                 
  to promote curriculum                                                       
  dissemination and                                                           
  professional development                                                    
  and assist schools in the                                                   
  systemic reform process                                                     
  across four geographical                                                    
  regions. A fifth Center                                                     
  will serve the Window Rock                                                  
  School District. The                                                        
  mission of the NN-RSI is to                                                 
  create a standards-based                                                    
  student centered teaching                                                   
  and learning environment in                                                 
  science, mathematics,                                                       
  technology (SMT) for                                                        
  approximately 70,000 K-12                                                   
  students on or near the                                                     
  Navajo Reservation, most of                                                 
  whom come from families                                                     
  living below the Federal                                                    
  poverty level. The NN-RSI                                                   
  will assist schools in                                                      
  implementing a                                                              
  standards-based science and                                                 
  mathematics program by                                                      
  promoting a variety of                                                      
  instructional strategies                                                    
  and by assisting teachers                                                   
  to teach within the context                                                 
  of the cultural environment                                                 
  of Navajo students toward                                                   
  identified goals and                                                        
  objectives. The proposal                                                    
  requests \$10,000,000 over                                                  
  a period of five-years to                                                   
  implement the program.                                                      
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