The Administration recommends that the Board of Education ratify the acceptance of a grant by The School District of Philadelphia, through the Superintendent or his designee, as follows:

From: The National Institute of Standards and Technology

Purpose: To provide funding for middle school teachers to attend the National Institute of Standards and Technology Summer Institute

Grant Start Date: 7/8/2019

Grant End Date: 7/19/2019

Amount up to: $32,000

Locations:

All Middle Schools

Description:
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provided funding for middle school teachers to attend the NIST Summer Institute for Middle School Science Teachers program from July 8, 2019, through July 19, 2019, at the NIST campus in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

The program provides an excellent enhancement of the District's Middle School Science Scope and Sequence, focusing on Earth, Life, and Physical Science, as well as the Nature of Science, all of which are related to the Pennsylvania Core Academic Standards. This program also offers an opportunity for Philadelphia science teachers to receive in-depth professional development grounded in research science. Scientist mentors continue to be available to teachers even beyond the duration of the program, offering our students a unique connection to science careers.

Ratification is requested because of a delay in the District accepting the grant, which went beyond the deadline for the June 2019 Board meeting and teachers have already participated in the program.  Additional delays due to transition of District staff who manage this program caused this action item to be scheduled for the October 2019 Board meeting.

Anchor Goal(s) Supported: Anchor Goal 1 - 100% of students will graduate ready for college or career