A Microsoft Word version of this letter is available for download and PRINTING.

Competitive  Grant Funding Available

TO THE ELIGIBLE APPLICANT ADDRESSED:

SUBJECT:      Request for Application (RFA) # 701-10-109
Texas Statewide Math Science Partnership (TxMSP) Professional Development Network

Eligible Applicants

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is requesting applications under RFA #701-10-109 from Texas public institutions of higher education (IHEs) for the Texas Statewide Math Science Partnership (TxMSP) Professional Development Network grant. Eligible applicants must have in place a statewide professional development network or demonstrate the ability to establish a statewide network within the transition timeframe. The network will be focused on providing professional development in math and science to teachers across the state. Applicants must also demonstrate the existence of a partnership between the applicant IHE and the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) department of a public IHE (whether the STEM department belongs to an IHE that is the same as or different from the applicant IHE) and one or more high-need local educational agencies (LEAs). (“High need” signifies an LEA in which at least 40% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.) The applicant must describe in the application the roles and activities of its partners. Additional eligibility requirements apply, as described in the RFA.

Description of Program

The purpose of the TxMSP Professional Development Network grant program is to improve the academic achievement of students in the areas of mathematics and science by encouraging IHEs, LEAs, elementary schools, and secondary schools to participate in programs that do the following:

• 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.
• 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 schools and secondary schools together with scientists, mathematicians, and engineers to increase the subject matter knowledge of mathematics and science teachers and improve such teachers’ 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 schools and secondary schools.
•  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.
• Improve and expand training of mathematics and science teachers, including training such teachers in the effective integration of technology into curricula and instruction.

The TxMSP Professional Development Network grant program is intended to improve teachers’ content knowledge through scientifically researched, sustained, and high-intensity professional development and mentoring.  All professional development activities must align to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and to priorities established by the Texas Legislature and TEA, as well as to requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), Title II, Part B.

Project Funding

The TxMSP Professional Development Network grant will be implemented during the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years.  Applicants should plan for a starting date of no earlier than July 1, 2010, and an ending date of no later than August 31, 2012. Funding will be provided for one statewide project. The project will receive a maximum of $15,000,000 for the July 1, 2010, to August 31, 2012, project period. This project is funded 100% from federal funds.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be selected based on the independent reviewers’ assessment of each applicant's ability to carry out all requirements contained in the RFA. Reviewers will evaluate applications based on the overall quality and validity of the proposed grant programs and the extent to which the applications address the primary objectives and intent of the project. Applications must address each requirement as specified in the RFA to be considered for funding. Special consideration will be given to applicants that meet the following criteria:

• Have a track record of delivering high-intensity, sustained professional development that is TEKS aligned
• Have systems in place to collect and analyze teacher and student data
• Document existing partnerships with eligible partners as required by NCLB, Title II, Part B
• Are engaged with public and private organizations to support and improve student performance in STEM-related subjects
• Have established management systems in place to allow for immediate implementation of TxMSP network activities
• Have documented capacity to serve the largest number of teachers statewide.

TEA reserves the right to select from the highest-ranking applications those that address all requirements in the RFA and that are most advantageous to the project.

TEA is not obligated to approve an application, provide funds, or endorse any application submitted in response to this RFA. This RFA does not commit TEA to pay any costs before an application is approved. The issuance of this RFA does not obligate TEA to award a grant or pay any costs incurred in preparing a response.

Requesting the Application

RFAs are no longer available in print.  The announcement letter and complete RFA will be posted on the TEA Web site at http://burleson.tea.state.tx.us/GrantOpportunities/forms for viewing and downloading.  In the “Select Search Options” box, select the name of the RFA from the drop-down list. Scroll down to the “Application and Support Information” to view all documents that pertain to this RFA.

Applicants’ Conference

An applicants’ conference will be held by webinar on Wednesday, March 24, 2010, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. To reserve a webinar seat, go to https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/121632795. The system requirements for PC-based attendees are Windows 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, or Vista. The requirements for Macintosh-based attendees are Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or later. Each person attending will be required to sign a register setting out the representative's name and the name, address, and telephone number of the applicant organization.

Questions relevant to the RFA may be sent to Anne Vexler at Anne.Vexler@tea.state.tx.us or faxed to (512) 463-4246 prior to Friday, March 19, 2010. These questions along with other information will be addressed in the presentation. The conference will be open to all potential applicants and will provide prospective applicants an opportunity to receive general and clarifying information about the program and RFA.

For Further Information

For clarifying information about the RFA, contact Carlos Garza, Division of Discretionary Grants, TEA, by e-mail at Carlos.Garza@tea.state.tx.us or by telephone at (512) 463-9269.

In order to assure that no prospective applicant may obtain a competitive advantage because of acquisition of information unknown to other prospective applicants, any and all questions pertaining to the RFA must be submitted in writing to the TEA contact person.

Copies of the questions and the written answers thereto will be posted on the TEA website in the format of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at http://burleson.tea.state.tx.us/GrantOpportunities/forms. In the “Select Search Options” box, select the name of the program/RFA from the drop-down list. Scroll down to the “Application and Support Information” to view all documents that pertain to this RFA. 

Deadline for Receipt of Applications

Applications must be received in the Document Control Center of TEA by 5:00 PM (Central Time), Thursday, April 22, 2010, to be eligible to be considered for funding.

Sincerely,
Nora Ibáñez Hancock, Ed.D.
Associate Commissioner
Office for Planning, Grants and Evaluation