FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Request for Proposal (RFP) for Competitive Projects
Bureau / Office
K-12 Public Schools / Bureau of Instruction and Innovation
Program Name
Mathematics and Science Partnerships “Digital Math: Developing standards for content”
Specific Funding Authority (ies)
P.L. 107-110, No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Title II, Part B, Sections 2201, 2202, 2203, CFDA #84.366B
Funding Purpose / Priorities
The Digital Math program is part of the Mathematics and Science Partnership (MSP), which is a formula grant program that supports improved academic achievement of students in the areas of mathematics and science through enhanced training of teachers. The grant is awarded to partnerships consisting of high-need school districts and science, mathematics, and engineering departments within universities and colleges, giving districts and arts and science faculty joint responsibility for improving mathematics and science instruction.
The four priorities for this program are:
- Development of a taxonomy for digital content in mathematics.
- Videos of best practices for math teaching in the classroom to be disseminated through innovative delivery systems that can be used on both laptop computers and portable devices.
- The development of digital content for reading in the content area of mathematics and science to be utilized by students.
- Employ a scientifically based research pilot on the use of digital devices for mathematics education.
Target Population(s)
K-12 Florida Public School Students and Teachers
Eligible Applicant(s)
High-need Local Education Agencies (LEA). Please see the following definition of a high-need LEA.
A high-need LEA is any district in which:
· The percent of district mathematics scores identified as not meeting proficiency for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP defined as level 3 or higher) for 3 out of 5 of grades 5 – 9 are below the state average for either 2005 or 2006 FCAT data reports
OR
· No less than 40% of the children served are eligible for free or reduced lunch
AND
· There are secondary mathematics teachers in need of content and/or pedagogical
professional development
Application Due Date
Proposals are due in Grants Management by the close of business November 3, 2006. The due date refers to the date of receipt in Grants Management. Facsimile and email submissions are not acceptable.
Total Funding Amount / Approximate Number of Awards
$800,000. There will be one (1) award for this project.
Budget / Performance Period
November 1, 2006 – June 30, 2007
Contact Persons
Katrice Green, Bureau of Instruction and Innovation, (850) 245-0830, Suncom 205-0830
Kynder Crossner, Office of Grants Management, (850) 245-0722, Suncom 205-0722
Assurances
The Florida Department of Education has developed and implemented a document entitled, General Terms, Assurances and Conditions for Participation in Federal and State Programs, to comply with:
§ 34 CFR 76.301 of the Education Department General Administration Regulations (EDGAR) which requires local educational agencies to submit a common assurance for participation in federal programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE);
§ Applicable regulations of other Federal agencies; and
§ State regulations and laws pertaining to the expenditure of state funds.
In order to receive funding, applicants must have on file with the Florida Department of Education, Office of the Comptroller, a signed statement by the agency head certifying applicant adherence to these General Assurances for Participation in State or Federal Programs. The complete text may be found at: https://www.firn.edu/doe/comptroller/gbook.htm.
* * *
School Districts, Community Colleges, Universities, and State Agencies
The certification of adherence filed with the Department of Education Comptroller’s Office shall remain in effect indefinitely unless a change occurs in federal or state law, or there are other changes in circumstances affecting a term, assurance, or condition; and does not need to be resubmitted with this application.
Narrative Components / Scoring Criteria
The standard scoring criteria are based on a 100 point scale, with a minimum score of 70 points necessary for an application to be considered for funding.
The instructions follow each narrative component. The bulleted statements are the criteria that will be used by proposal reviewers to score each component.
1.
Project
Abstract or Summary
_N/A points
Provide a brief
summary of the project by describing the proposed project and how it addresses
all four priorities.
· The project and all four priorities are addressed in a brief summary.
2. Project Need _10_points
Describe the need for the project and provide supporting data as evidence. Identify specific gaps or weaknesses in teacher and student mathematic knowledge and achievement addressed by the proposal.
· The need is evident, compelling, and clearly linked to the outcome(s) of the project.
· The need for the project is strongly justified through supportive data.
· The gaps and/or weaknesses in teacher and student mathematic knowledge and achievement addressed are clearly explained and supported with data.
3. Project Design and Implementation _50__points
Describe the measurable objectives, activities, and timeline for the project. Clearly identify the designer’s experience in the development and implementation of digital content for professional development of teachers. Explain the LEAs characteristics and attributes for highly qualified mathematics teachers. Describe the innovative method for disseminating digital content for professional development in the area of mathematics. Provide a detailed description of the partnership that will design and implement the MSP. The partnership may include K-12 public schools, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) faculty, post-secondary institutes, and/or businesses.
· The objectives are measurable, qualitative, challenging, yet achievable, and address all outcomes of the project.
· It is evident that activities/methods are comprehensive and likely to result in achievement of objectives.
· The timelines are specific, realistic, and consistent with measurable objectives and outcomes.
· The partnership includes K-12 public schools, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) faculty, post-secondary institutes, and/or businesses.
4. Evaluation _10_points
Describe the instruments and method(s) for evaluating the project.
· The evaluation instruments are appropriate to effectively measure program success.
· The evaluation methods are comprehensive, likely to result in a successful project, and include an effective approach for using evaluation results to guide necessary adjustments to the project.
- Support for Strategic Imperatives _10_points
Describe how the proposed project will address the reading
initiative. Incorporate one or more of the Florida State Board of Education
(SBE) Strategic Imperatives.
URL: https://www.fldoe.org/meetings/2005_01_18/StratPlanDetails.pdf
· The project utilizes a comprehensive plan for integrating pertinent aspects of the Just Read, Florida! initiative.
· The applicant has included effective methods for incorporating one or more of the SBE Strategic Imperatives.
- Dissemination Plan __15_points
Describe the methods /strategies to disseminate and market information about the project to appropriate populations. Identify the products that will be produced and how they will be shared with other districts. This may include professional development, digital content for students, technical assistance, etc. in the form of websites, documents, videos, podcasts, etc. Describe how parents will be informed about the opportunities available to them through this project. Describe how information about your project will be shared with any additional stakeholders in your project. Each project must maintain a project website that includes a copy of the proposal. A section of the website must be devoted to ongoing progress in meeting the proposal goals. The website shall be updated at least once a month during the project period and the date of the latest update shall be displayed on the site. Include the URL at which the project website will be available. The website must be posted within one month of notification of award. Describe your plan to create and maintain this site.
· The applicant’s dissemination plan uses effective and realistic means to reach the appropriate target populations.
· The methods/strategies used to share services provided by the project are innovative and will clearly benefit the target population.
· The proposal identifies the products that will be produced and how they will be shared with other districts. This may include professional development, digital content for students, technical assistance, etc. in the form of websites, documents, videos, podcasts, etc.
· The proposal describes how parents will be informed about the opportunities available to them through this project.
· The proposal describes how information about your project will be shared with any additional stakeholders in your project.
· The proposal maintains a project website that includes a copy of the proposal. A section of the website must be devoted to ongoing progress in meeting the proposal goals. The website shall be updated at least once a month during the project period and the date of the latest update shall be displayed on the site. Include the URL at which the project website will be available. The website must be posted within one month of notification of award. Describe your plan to create and maintain this site.
- Budget __5__points
Present a budget that reflects
objectives and proposed costs of the project.
· The project budget presents expenses that are realistic, accurate, clearly relate to and reflect project activities, objectives, and outcomes.
· The justifications for expenditures are reasonable and clearly explained.
· The required personnel, professional and technical services, and/or travel for the project are clearly and adequately explained.
Funding Method
Federal Cash Advance
On-line reporting required monthly to record expenditures. Federal cash advances will be made by state warrant or electronic funds transfer (EFT) to a recipient for disbursements. For federally funded projects, requests for federal cash advance must be made on the Electronic Federal Cash Advance Request System. If at times it is determined that disbursements are going to exceed the amount of cash on hand plus cash in transit, an on-line amendment can be made prior to the due date of the next Federal Cash Advance distribution on the Electronic Federal Cash Advance Request System.
Fiscal Requirements
Supporting documentation for expenditures is required for all funding methods. Examples of such documentation include: invoices with check numbers verifying payment, and/or bank statements; all or any of which must be available upon request.
Fiscal Management Training
All award recipients are required to attend annual Grant Fiscal Management training provided by the Florida Department of Education.
Project Performance Accountability and Reporting Requirements
The Department’s program managers will track each project’s performance based on the information provided in the Performance Expectation section, pages 8-19.
Notice of Intent-to-Apply
The due date to notify the Program contact person Katrice Green of Intent-to-Apply is October 13, 2006.
This notification can be sent as an e-mail or fax message and should include a return e-mail address. Providing the Intent-to-Apply is not required for an application to be considered, but assists the applicant by assuring receipt of answers to frequently asked questions and competition updates. Conversely, eligible organizations which file Intent-to-Apply are not required to apply.
Method of Answering Frequently Asked Questions or Providing Changes
Frequently Asked Questions related to this proposal will be answered via list-serve. Notify the contact person, Katrice Green, to be placed on the list-serve. The last date that questions will be answered is October 27, 2006.
Method of Review
A peer review process will be used to evaluate the “Digital Math: Developing standards for content” competitive proposals submitted for review. Proposal evaluations will be conducted by professional educators who have considerable experience in the following areas: curriculum development, research, mathematics, science, technology, project management and evaluation.
Conditions for Acceptance
The requirements listed below must be met for applications to be considered for review:
· Application is received within the FDOE by the close of business on the due date;
· Application includes required forms:
o DOE 100A or 100B Application Form bearing the original signature of the Superintendent for the school district or the agency head for other agencies.
o DOE 101-Budget Narrative.
NOTE: Applications signed by officials other than the appropriate agency head must have a letter signed by the agency head or documentation citing action of the governing body delegating authority to the person to sign on behalf of said official.
· Signed certification signifying compliance with the “General Assurances for Participation in Federal and State Programs,” (if not already on file in the FDOE Comptroller’s Office).
Other Requirements - For Federal Programs
· General Education Provisions Act (GEPA)
A current fiscal year General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) plan is required; applicant must submit a copy of their plan with this application. In accordance with the requirements of Section 427 of the GEPA Public Law 103-382, a one-page description of the steps proposed by the District or other entity to ensure equitable access to, and participation of students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries with special needs must be submitted.
See: https://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/gepa427.pdf
· For Private School Participation
In accordance with P.L. 107-110, No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Title IX, Part E Uniform Provisions, Subpart 1, Section 9501, the applicant must provide a detailed plan of action for providing consultation for equitable services to private school children and teachers with the local education agency(ies) service area. For details, refer to URL: https://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg111.html.
· Technical/Format
Proposals may not exceed 25 pages and must be unbound, printed with a font size of at least 12, and include top and bottom margins of at least 1-inch and side margins of at least ½-inch. Three complete copies of the proposals should be submitted.
Application must be submitted to:
Office of Grants Management
Florida Department of Education
325 W. Gaines Street, Room 332
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400