Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 160 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › Chapter 160-1 › Subject 160-1-4 - GRANT PROGRAMS › Rule 160-1-4-.266 - Title II, Part B Mathematics and Science Partnerships (MSP) Program

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(1)
Purpose
				of Program
. The purpose of the Mathematics and Science Partnership grant
				program is to improve the content knowledge and pedagogical acumen of cohort
				groups of mathematics and science teachers of grades K-12 in order to increase
				the achievement of their students. These improvement efforts are designed,
				implemented, and evaluated by strong partnerships between college and
				university faculty, high-need school systems, and other qualifying
				partners.
(2)
Terms and
				Conditions
. Funds are available from the Georgia Department of Education
				for competitive Mathematics and Science Partnerships grants. The focus of the
				proposals is providing professional learning for mathematics and science
				teachers in grades Kindergarten through 12. All partnerships must establish and
				operate programs to bring grades K-12 mathematics and/or science teachers into
				contact with working science, technology, engineering, or mathematics faculty
				to expand teachers' content knowledge and instructional practice in mathematics
				and science classrooms. Such goals may be met by (a) providing opportunities
				for enhanced and ongoing professional learning of mathematics and science
				teachers that improves their content knowledge; (b) using scientifically-based
				researched teaching methods to promote strong teaching skills for mathematics
				and science teachers; and (c) establishing and operating intensive mathematics
				and science institutes for teachers with follow-up training and support. The
				funds received must be used to supplement, and not supplant, funds that would
				otherwise be used to support such activities.
The partnership must consist of (a) a Georgia high-need
				  school district or consortium, and (b) a science, technology, engineering, or
				  mathematics (STEM) department of an accredited two-or four-year college or
				  university. Partnerships may also include (a) one or more school systems that
				  may or may not qualify as high-need; (b) the STEM department or teacher
				  training department of another accredited two-or four-year college or
				  university; (c) faculty from the unit responsible for the preparation of
				  teachers (typically the college of education); (d) public charter and magnet
				  schools, private elementary or secondary schools, or a consortium of such
				  schools; or (e) non-profit and for-profit organizations with proven
				  effectiveness in providing professional development to teachers of mathematics
				  and science. Either the lead school district applicant, the Regional Education
				  Service Agency(RESA), or the lead higher education applicant may serve as the
				  fiscal agent.
(3)
Eligible Recipients.
Proposals may be submitted by either a Georgia
				high-need school district/consortium(RESA) or a partnering institute of higher
				education.
(4)
Criteria for
				Award
. The criteria for awarding grants will be as follows:
(a) Absolute priority will be given to those
				partnerships which demonstrate that at least 40 percent of the lead partner's
				students qualify for the free and reduced meal program and those that show
				evidence of teachers with limited content knowledge with a history of low
				student test scores or achievement gaps in mathematics and/or
				science.
(b) Efforts will be made
				to ensure Georgia's Mathematics & Science Partnership Program grants are
				distributed equitably across the state to the extent that qualified, submitted
				proposals allow.
(c) The following
				criteria will be used to evaluate all applications for funding:
(1) commitment and capacity of partnership;
(2) demonstration of need and
				research base;
(3) alignment of
				project goals and objectives with professional learning needs;
(4) efficacy of plan;
(5) evaluation and accountability plan; and
(6) budget and cost effectiveness.
				In addition any applicant that is currently receiving funds, but plans to
				submit another proposal for continued work, must also
(7) show evidence of prior project work.
				Bonus points for innovation and high-need are also possible.