WHY

The Call For Action
America faces a challenge of crisis proportions in mathematics and science education that will impact business and industry for decades and affect the nation domestically and internationally. A growing array of reports and findings suggest an urgent need to address these problems with viable solutions through collaborative efforts of business, education, and public policy leaders. This task will require the active engagement, commitment and mobilization of all sectors of our society to bring about substantive changes to the current educational system.

Background Information
In 2003 and 2004, the U.S. Secretary of Education convened national summits to bring urgently needed attention to the state of mathematics and science education. The Secretary launched a Mathematics and Science Initiative (MSI) in February 2003 to: [1] engage the public in recognizing the need for better mathematics and science education for all children, [2] initiate strategies to recruit, prepare, train and retrain teachers with strong backgrounds in mathematics and science; and [3] develop a research base to improve our knowledge of what boosts student learning in mathematics and science.

Charting a Course for Action
In direct response to the national summits, a call was issued for the implementation of state-level summits focusing on state-specific STEM education concerns and addressing necessary actions to develop improved systems for delivering mathematics, science and technology education to all students from pre-kindergarten through college.

Summits to date. Click image to enlarge map.

Strategic Planning
The National Alliance of State Science and Mathematics Coalitions (NASSMC)—a nonprofit, nonpartisan, independent organization—is working in collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and other agencies and organizations to encourage the development of state STEM education summits.

The NASSMC State Summits Implementation Program (NSSIP) provides assistance to state based organizations with planning, developing, administering, implementing, following-up and sustaining state mathematics and science education summits that:

• address the critical need to improve science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education for all students
• promote active participation of state business, education and public policy leaders
• engage underserved and underrepresented communities in state and national efforts to improve STEM education
• have an agenda focusing energy on the state's critical STEM education issues as perceived by business, education and government leaders in the states they represent
• capitalize on NASA's commitment to assist and motivate educators and students at all levels to pursue STEM-related fields and to improve our nation's scientific literacy
• address national issues raised by the U.S. Department of Education's National Mathematics and Science Summits
• address the needs of the 21st Century workforce
• include a comprehensive public awareness and engagement plan
• initiate the development of a state action plan

NASSMC's Commitment to NSSIP
NASSMC is committed to assisting states with the who, what, why, where, when and how of STEM Summits. NSSIP establishes a cooperative relationship between NASSMC and Program participants.

By participating in NSSIP, STEM Summit organizers enter into a unique working relationship with NASSMC. From the confirmation of acceptance into the NSSIP through Summit planning, implementation and follow-up activities, NASSMC will provide—at no cost to the states—comprehensive technical assistance and support services, practical resources, and access to an exceptional network of partners.

Eligibility
The NSSIP is open to state-based organizations that comprise a coalition of business, education and public policy leaders or other state organizations representing all three constituencies and united by a vision for improving STEM education. The proposing coalition must represent all three constituencies and must be state-wide in scope.

State-wide business leadership necessarily includes the states' largest employers and should represent the workforce needs and concerns of those businesses. Education leadership from the K-12 sector, as well as from informal and higher education sectors, should be represented. State public policy officials such as the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Chief State School Officer, and education leadership in the state legislature should be represented.

How to Apply for the NSSIP Grant
State-based coalitions may apply for a 2-year grant to support the development, implementation and sustainability of STEM Summits. These one-time grants are available for a maximum amount of $20,000 per award. NASSMC expects to make approximately ten (10) awards annually. A cash or in-kind match of 10% or greater (based on the total requested amount) is strongly encouraged.

The Logistics Support Option is provided to assist with approved Summit meeting and travel related costs (i.e. participant travel and lodging, per diem, facilities rental). NASSMC will enter into contracts with vendors directly on behalf of the coalitions, up to a total of $7,000. No direct funding will be awarded to the coalition under the Logistics Support Option.

Alternative Opportunity: STEM Summit Catalyst Program
NASSMC offers technical assistance and guidance for emerging coalitions interested in hosting a STEM Summit in the future, but may not yet be ready to apply for an NSSIP grant. NASSMC will support five (5) Catalyst Program participants for a 1-year period through this incubator program, and will help in the development of coalitions, summits, and proposals for the next NSSIP grant cycle. This program makes no cash awards, however a significant level of technical assistance, consultant services and meeting support is provided at no cost to program participants. States interested in applying for this program should submit a Letter of Commitment (on letterhead) and a completed STEM Summit Catalyst Program Application.

WHEN - Mark Your Calendars

The next solicitation will be available here in 2006.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Coalition Foundations

• Assistance in identifying potential coalition members
• Link coalitions with NASA and ED resources in their states

  Catalyst Program

  • Assist in identifying state leaders from the business, education and public policy sectors who are actively engaged in addressing education, economy, and workforce challenges in the state

  • Assist in identifying participants from state-based organizations that represent the interests of underserved and underrepresented communities

  • Brief state leaders on the goals of the STEM Summits effort

  • Convene (and facilitate) initial meeting of the identified state leaders to examine key issues and challenges in STEM education in the state

  • Prepare state leadership for coalition formation

  • Link Catalyst Program participants with NASA and ED resources in their states

  • Assist in the development of a comprehensive Summit program (see "Summit Planning and Support" and "Long-term Planning")

  • Link Catalyst Program participants to coalition leadership in other states by funding travel and attendance at national meetings

  • Link Catalyst Program participants to coalition leadership in other states by funding travel and attendance at national meetings

• Provide guidance and assistance at all planning stages on participant lists, potential partners, consultants, and content experts
• Work one-on-one with the state coalition to: (1) convene the planning team; (2) develop the agenda to focus on state needs; (3) ensure that the agenda addresses issues raised by the national agenda
• Assist in soliciting the participation of national business, education and public policy associations and organization
• Assist in securing the participation of state-based and national organizations that represent the interests of underrepresented and underserved communities
• Provide comprehensive on-site technical support services at all stages of Summit development, implementation, and follow-up by NASSMC staff and consultants
• Pay reasonable and approved Summit planning meeting expenditures on a case-by-case basis
• Serve as a central hub for communications and information-sharing between states that are holding summits

Long-term Planning

• Link state coalitions with public awareness tools and resources
• Assist in the development of Summit evaluation and consult on dissemination
• Assist in developing long-term strategic plan for sustaining STEM Summit mission
• Coordinate with summit organizers to identify and secure additional funding and resources for Summits

FUNDED PROGRAMS

March 2005
NASSMC State Summits Implementation Program grants have been awarded to the following states through funding provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Additional monetary support is provided through a separate grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

• Alabama Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Coalition
• Colorado Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education Coalition
• Connecticut Mathematics, Science & Technology Leadership Council, supported and administered by the CT Academy for Education in Mathematics, Science & Technology, Inc.
• Iowa Mathematics and Science Coalition
• New Mexico Partnership for Mathematics & Science Education
• South Carolina's Coalition for Mathematics and Science
• Tennessee Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education Center

Read the NASA press release.

GRANTEE NARRATIVE PROGRESS REPORT AND FINANCIAL REPORT FORM

Click here to download the Narrative Progress Report and Financial Report form.

Coalitions awarded NSSIP grants are required to complete and submit Narrative Progress Report and Financial Report every six months and a final report at the end of the 24-month grant period. The form, a Microsoft Word file, is available for download here or you can email Jane George (jgeorge@nassmc.org) and request that a copy be emailed to you. The Program Update form is offered as a guide; grantees are welcome to submit any information that would be valuable for this purpose.

The Financial Report should indicate the itemized amounts approved as indicated in the award letter, all expenditures incurred to date, and the balance of the grant funds not expended. The Financial Report must be signed by the Program Director and the Fiscal Officer. Submit one (1) original and two (2) copies of the signed Narrative Progress Report and Financial Report.

The progresst report schedule, for NSSIP grants awarded in April 2005, is as follows:

For your convenience, Program Updates may be emailed to jgeorge@nassmc.org or faxed to 703-516-5979.