SED Home
Disclaimers and Notices
|
|
Back to EMSC Home SED Home Disclaimers and Notices |
Question #1
In reviewing the application materials, there is no mention of whether stipends for teachers attending a summer institute is an allowable cost. Can such an expense be paid with grant funds?
Answer #1
No. The grant may not cover stipends for teachers.
Question #2
Where on the SED web site is the list of schools which are
(a) in need of improvement, corrective action of restructuring, or
(b) under registration review or
(c) requiring academic progress
Answer #2
The lists of SCHOOLS that are in need of improvement, corrective action of restructuring, under registration review or requiring academic progress can be found on the Information and Reporting Services website at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/irts/ in the Accountability section as follows:
(a) in need of improvement, corrective action of restructuring, at http://emsc32.nysed.gov/irts/press-release/20071219/Nov2007Release_elem-middle-status_nyc.pdf for
New York City and http://emsc32.nysed.gov/irts/press-release/20071219/Nov2007Release-elem-middle-status-ros.pdf for
rest of state.
(b) under registration review at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/irts/accountability/SURR-list-schools-Sept_07-1.htm we are expecting the SURR list to be updated soon. Please check the updated list at this site as you are applying for your grant Any school on the SURR list the day the grant was posted will remain eligible should an updated list be posted and the building be removed from the list. If an updated list is posted new schools on the list will be eligible to count as a SURR school for this grant.
(c) requiring academic progress at
http://emsc32.nysed.gov/irts/press-release/20071219/Nov2007Release_elem-middle-status_nyc.pdf for
New York City and http://emsc32.nysed.gov/irts/press-release/20071219/Nov2007Release-elem-middle-status-ros.pdf for
rest of state.
Please note that the legislation does NOT include DISTRICTS in need of improvement.
Question #3
Under the budget items, I am confused as to where professional staff salaries go. Code 15 is the normal place for this, but it is indicated there that this is not to exceed 5% of the budget. In effect, this is going to be the major part of this budget since our professional staff (scientists, engineering and technical staff of the Center for Initiatives in Pre-College Education) will be the ones that will both develop and implement the activities. However, under code 40, Purchased Services, you talk about "tuition", which seems to include just these type of expenses, and so I am confused as to exactly where these items fit. For example, if a faculty member spends two weeks developing materials, and one week implementing a summer institute, at a total salary of say $7,500 for three weeks work, where does this item go in the budget.
Answer #3
As stated under code 15, only salaries for professional staff that are involved in the direct administration, i.e., staff putting together the whole summer program, or evaluation of the proposal belong here. Costs of instructors and consultants hired as part of the institute would be part of the tuition cost.
Question #4
Regarding the 2% and 5% limits on evaluation and administration. Are these 2% and 5% of DIRECT COSTS, as is usually the case, or 2% and 5% of the TOTAL BUDGET, after evaluation and administration are included in the total budget?
Answer #4
These limits are the percentage of the total budget.
Question #5
Some secretarial help will be needed to track participants and their involvement in our activities. This is usually included as a separate item called "non-professional". Where is this now to be included, and does it come under the 5% limit.
Answer #5
This would be included under Salaries for Support Staff: Code 16 and does come under the 5% limit for program administration.
Question #6
With regard to the 2008 Summer Institute in Mathematics & Science program, may non-public school teachers (Parochial, Yeshiva, etc.) participate?
Answer #6
Yes.
Question #7
I am wondering if there is any money for this RFP allocated to Northern New
York? I noticed it wasn't listed and just wondered if that was an oversight
or if it is combined with another area. I am the grants coordinator at
SUNY
Canton and our schools in St. Lawrence County could use this type of a
program.
Answer #7
Yes. The regions are broken down by county in the RFP under the section “Regional Distribution of Funds”. St. Lawrence County is part of the Central Region.
Question #8
Regarding the 2008 Summer Institute for Teachers of math and science, and
the focus on schools that are either SURR or SINI. In reviewing the previous
and new 2007-08 SURR and SINI lists, by an order of magnitude the schools on
this list are identified under ELA needs and not mathematics (indeed, I did
not even see one with a science need). So my question, whose answer I
probably know, pertains to whether it is a requirement that we work with any
school on these SURR and SINI lists, or ONLY those that are under review for
mathematics and/or science deficiencies.
Answer #8
A college or university having a teacher education program may work with any school. Where practicable teachers from schools that have been identified as a school in need of improvement, corrective action or restructuring status, , schools under registration review or requiring academic progress shall be given priority when accepting candidates for the program. Note that teacher selection for participation is up to the principals of these schools.
Question #9
We are planning to submit an application to conduct summer institutes for intermediate level science teachers during the summer of 2008. We have recently instituted a Learning and Teaching Resource Center that actively incorporates mathematics, science, and technology into activity-based instruction that has been used with pre-service teacher candidates, and that has provided us with opportunities for teacher professional development. Since we intend to use the resource center as the centerpiece of our efforts to provide institute participants with inquiry-based curriculum development opportunities, we would like to know if the criterion for budgeting course materials can include software and hardware necessary for these teachers to implement such activities in their own school settings.
It is essential for the success of the use of
emerging technologies by teachers in their classrooms, that they be able to
carry out tasks similar to those they have been exposed to, and that have been
used to develop hands-on activities that admirably incorporate the MST
standards. We want to provide the teachers with the tools they need to
successfully translate their laboratory experiences into meaningful learning
opportunities for their students.
Thank you for your consideration and we look
forward to clarification on this element of the budget that is central to our
aim in providing teachers with solid and ongoing professional
development.
Answer #9
When software and hardware are integral to the program they may be purchased as part of materials. These materials must be used to develop lesson plans that teachers can share and use in their classroom. Materials purchased for the institute should be given to teachers for use in their classroom.
Question #10
Although the content of any institute offered under this initiative is critically
important, success will ultimately depend upon the extent to which teachers
actually participate in the institutes that are offered and what they learn
in those institutes. When will notification of successful applicants
take place? And will this be in time to allow for an effective recruitment
effort for the teachers intended to be served by the institutes?
(We participated in last year's cycle of the program and notification
came late in the year and that seemed to have a negative impact on recruitment
efforts as teachers were uncertain as to whether the institute we had proposed
would go forward and a number of teachers ultimately made other commitments
for their time).
Answer #10
Proposals are due February 20, 2008 with reviews, scoring and awards made as soon after as practical.
Question #11
The notice indicates that an applicant can submit more than one proposal. Would
an applicant actually end up competing against itself by submitting two proposals
rather than consolidating those plans into one proposal?
Answer#11
You would be competing against your self if you submitted a proposal in the
same region. If a proposal was submitted for a different region you would not
be competing against yourself.
Question #12
When will we be notified about funding decisions?
Answer #12
Proposals are due February 20, 2008 with reviews, scoring and awards made as soon after as practical.
Question #13
Can the program be offered by a content area department at a
university with a teacher education program?
Answer #13
Yes, as long as the college or university is one that offers a teacher education program.
Question #14
Can an institute target just middle school science teachers with
science only content?
Answer #14
Yes.
Question #15
Do the salaries for professional and support staff, and indirect and evaluation costs all need to total no more than 7% of the total cost?
Answer #15
Up to 2% of the grant may be used to evaluate the extent to which the summer institutes improve the content knowledge and pedagogy of the participating teachers. Up to 5% of the grant may be spent on program administration including indirect costs.
Question #16
Can stipends be covered in lieu of tuition for credit?
Answer #16
No. The grant may not cover stipends for teachers.
Question #17
Can costs for instructors be included in lieu of tuition for non-
credit institutes?
Answer #17
No. The purpose of the program is to pay the costs of teachers attending the institute. Costs may include tuition, course materials, and room and board if applicable.
Question #18
Please define "technologies" in "enhance competencies in the
use of
technologies."
Answer #18
The term technologies refers to a myriad of man made items that can be used to apply mathematical or science concepts, improve delivery and pedagogy of Math or Science content, or facilitate professional communications appropriate at the intermediate level.
Technologies could include, but are not limited to:
The enhanced competencies in technologies are for improved student achievement.
Question # 19
To what extent do institutes need to be customized to meet the needs of participating teachers?
Answer #19
Teachers shall be selected for participation in such summer institutes by principals. They must give priority to those responsible for providing instruction of the intermediate portion of the New York State Learning Standards in Mathematics (revised 2005) and Science, grades five through eight, and who meet the following criteria:
When planning your institute these factors should be taken into consideration.
Question #20
Can conceptual content areas be pre- determined, based on standards?
Answer #20
Colleges and Universities must work with the population they will serve to structure programs that meet the needs of the participants.
Question #21
The RFP notes that funding will be based on the number of teachers participating and their costs. Is there a pre-set cost per teacher allowed, or a ceiling on the amount allowed? Please advise.
Answer #21
The tuition charged to the grant must not exceed the standard tuition rate of the college or university.