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SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced the selection of 11 educational agencies that will receive $5.9 million in California Mathematics and Science Partnership (CaMSP) grants to help educators improve their skills in teaching mathematics and science to high-need students. For the list of a new fifth cohort of grantees, please visit Funding Results: California Mathematics and Science Partnership.

"California's severe shortage of qualified teachers in mathematics and science is certainly a contributing factor to California's achievement gap," said O'Connell. "This program will help provide the proper teacher support and training needed to prepare students for more rigorous coursework to meet the state's graduation requirements that prepare them for college or careers."

The call for more professional development was an initiative O'Connell announced during his 2008 State of Education Address. He will bring together experts from around the country to help develop world-class professional development on what it means to be culturally responsive in schools to help educators provide a school climate in which students from all cultures and races feel equally supported in learning to high expectations. For more information, please visit State of Education Address - January 22, 2008.

The federal No Child Left Behind Act, Title II, Part B is the funding source for the CaMSP grants. This round of funding is for Cohort 5, which is a specific group of educational agencies targeted to receive assistance to improve the academic achievement of high-need students. CaMSP is an in-depth professional development program for classroom teachers to enhance their knowledge and teaching skills of mathematics and science through professional learning activities. Ultimately, the program is designed to increase the academic achievement of students in math (grade three through Algebra I) and science (grades three through eight). Federal law also requires all teachers of core academic subjects hired to work in Title I programs to meet the definition of "highly qualified teacher."  

Cohort 5 lead educational agencies that were eligible to apply for the grants must have a student population where at least 40 percent of students qualify for the National School Lunch Program. These high-need districts must also partner with an institution of higher learning involved in mathematics and science education. 

A total of 30 educational agencies in Cohort 5 applied for the grant. Following a rigorous review of the grantees' applications on a number of criteria including the applicants' rationale, work plan, evaluation and research plan, and partnership management plan, the 11 grantees were awarded the CaMSP funding.

For more information about the CaMSP program, please visit Past Funding Profile (ID 1052): California Mathematics and Science Partnership.