1. Title II, Part B Mathematics and Science Partnerships Equitable Services to Private Schools: Program Specifics

2. Title II, Part B Mathematics and Science Partnerships Purpose of Program : (Section 2201) The purpose of the Mathematics and Science Partnership (MSP) program is to improve the academic achievement of students in the areas of mathematics and science. The program, administered jointly with the National Science Foundation, encourages state departments of education, institutions of higher education (IHEs), school divisions, elementary schools, and secondary schools to participate in programs that: improve and upgrade the status and stature of mathematics and science teaching by encouraging IHEs to assume greater responsibility for improving mathematics and science teacher education through the establishment of a comprehensive, integrated system of recruiting, training, and advising mathematics and science teachers;

3. Title II, Part B Mathematics and Science Partnerships Purpose of Program: (continued) focus on the education of mathematics and science teachers as a career-long process that continuously stimulates teachers' intellectual growth and upgrades teachers' knowledge and skills; bring mathematics and science teachers in elementary and secondary schools together with scientists, mathematicians, and engineers to: increase the subject matter knowledge of mathematics and science teachers, and improve teaching skills through the use of sophisticated laboratory equipment and work space, computing facilities, libraries, and other resources that IHEs are better able to provide than the elementary and secondary schools;

4. Title II, Part B Mathematics and Science Partnerships Purpose of Program: (Section 2201) develop more rigorous mathematics and science curricula that are aligned with challenging state and local academic content standards and with the standards expected for postsecondary study in engineering, mathematics, and science; and improve and expand training of mathematics and science teachers, including training such teachers in the effective integration of technology into curricula and instruction. Each state has the flexibility to determine the priorities for each grant cycle. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis in response to a request for proposals issued by the Virginia Department of Education.

5. Title II, Part B Mathematics and Science Partnerships Provision of Services to Private Schools: All partnering institutions, including private schools, must be identified in the grant proposal and include evidence of partnerships. The program requires the equitable participation of teachers who teach in private schools located in school divisions where grants are awarded. The term “eligible partnership” means a partnership that shall include: an engineering, mathematics, or science department of an institution of higher education; and a high-need school division.

6. Title II, Part B Mathematics and Science Partnerships Provision of Services to Private Schools: (continued) The eligible partnership may include: another engineering, mathematics, science, or teacher training department of an institution of higher education; additional school divisions, public charter schools, public or private elementary or secondary schools, or a consortium of such schools; a business; or a nonprofit or for-profit organization of demonstrated effectiveness in improving the quality of mathematics and science teachers.

7. Title II, Part B Mathematics and Science Partnerships Receipt of Services in Private Schools: Private schools that have chosen to participate as partners in the grant should receive access to services in the same manner as public school participants. Activities include: professional development; providing stipends and scholarships for advanced coursework in mathematics, science, or engineering; and programs to bring mathematics and science teachers into contact with working scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.

8. Title II, Part B Mathematics and Science Partnerships The private school must be indicated as a partner in the grant. School divisions must apprise private schools of the opportunity and requirements of the grant as they are writing the proposal. Private schools cannot join the grant unless indicated as a partner from the beginning. The grant proposal should outline specific activities and timelines and all partners should be an integral part of designing the program.

9. Title II, Part B Mathematics and Science Partnerships Location of Services: How and where services are provided is determined though consultation with all of the partners in the MSP grant.

10. Contact Information Title II, Part B Mathematics and Science Partnerships Michael Bolling @doe.virginia.gov (804) 786-6418