MSUNER TEACHER STUDY GROUPS - REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

 INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS

2013-2014

The Montclair State University Network for Educational Renewal (MSUNER) of the Montclair State University Center of Pedagogy welcomes you to apply for a Teacher Study Group Grant (TSG) for the 2013-2014 academic year.  A TSG is meant to provide an opportunity for teachers to take responsibility for their own professional development and renewal by engaging in collaborative learning and inquiry that will advance the goal of simultaneous renewal of the schools and the education of educators.  In other words, it gives a group of educators a chance to work and learn together about a topic of mutual interest.

Administrators and faculty from partner schools, faculty from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, and faculty from the College of Education and Human Services, are eligible to apply for this type of grant.  We encourage any and all combinations of educators to work together on a topic of mutual interest.  Since the possibilities are endless for the design and mission of the grant, let your imagination, interests, and needs guide your thinking when writing a proposal.  The study group context provides a wonderful vehicle for collegial professional development to assist in and redesign teaching and learning. 

Some sample topics from the past are:

• Common Core Standards and 21^st Century Learners
• Peer Professional Development
• No More Bullying!
• Be Keen, Go Green!
• Everything Tech But the Kitchen Sink
• Conflict Resolution and Peer Mediation in the Elementary School
• Environmental Challenges: What We Can Do
• Building Critical Thinking Strategies to Strengthen the Link Between Reading and Writing
• Culturally Responsive Teaching

These examples are not meant to be exhaustive, but rather illustrative of the possibilities.  Summaries of previous study groups are available on this webpage if you would like more information.

Topics must relate to at least one of the following strands: Pedagogy, Content, Diverse Learners, Mentoring/Induction, Technology, or 21^st Century Skills

This request for proposals (RFP) outlines the requirements for MSUNER funding of a teacher study group. 

Each member district is entitled to $1,000 in funding for the 2013-2014 academic year, as is the University.  For each district, funds will be divided among the number of study groups that are accepted and by the nature of the project.  The maximum funding for any one study group grant is $500.  Special funding arrangements will be made should a study group include teachers from multiple school districts. 

If you have any questions after reading this, please call your district coordinator or Dr. Connie Donvito, the MSUNER Director, at 973-655-7641.

PROPOSALS ARE DUE BY OCTOBER 15, 2013

(Proposals will not be accepted after this due date)

DECISIONS ON AWARDS WILL BE MADE BY NOVEMBER 1, 2013

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS: Submit online below

1. Each study group must include a minimum of four people.  At least one of the members must be a Clinical Faculty member and all group members are encouraged to apply for Clinical Faculty status.  At the University, at least one member must have participated in some Montclair State University Network for Educational Renewal, Center of Pedagogy, or Agenda for Education in a Democracy program during the past two years.  The group should designate one teacher as the coordinator who will be the contact person and in charge of the funds granted.  If the coordinator is not the Clinical Faculty member, he/she needs to apply if the proposal is funded.  Administrators and supervisors are encouraged to work on teacher study groups, but may not be the coordinator.
2. Study group members must meet together for at least 16 hours during the school year.  These meetings may be after-school, during breakfast, lunch or dinner, during common planning time or release time, if available, or any time the group chooses to schedule its meetings.  Study groups which do not complete their 16 hours of meeting time during 2013-2014 will be asked to return the full amount of the grant.
3. An attendance roster for each meeting must be submitted to the MSUNER by the end of the year with your final report (form to be provided upon awarding of grant)
4. Original receipts for all expenditures will be needed for your final report (form to be provided upon awarding of grant)   

 The funds granted may be used for:

• Books
• Materials
• Refreshments (not to exceed $150)
• Guest speakers

 The funds granted may not be used for:

• Release time
• Substitute coverage
• Travel reimbursement
• Anything not directly related to your area of study

5.   Study groups must document their work in a narrative report to the MSUNER at the end of the year.  Generally, the report will need to include goals, accomplishments, future plans, a log of meeting dates and times, and receipts for all expenditures.  The exact guidelines and format for this report will be provided at a later date.  ALL Members of each of the study groups are expected to present a session showing their work at the MSUNER Summer Conference on Friday, June 27, 2014.  In addition, each group will make a tri-fold poster or electronic presentation featuring their work that will be displayed throughout the conference. *PLEASE NOTE: TSGs that do not submit a final report will not be eligible for future funding.

Thank you for your interest in applying for a Teacher Study Group Grant.  Your idea is important, and the work you will do will benefit the students you teach.  Don't delay!  Gather colleagues and start writing your proposal today!

SUBMIT PROPOSAL ONLINE at:  Teacher Study Group Proposal

Important Dates/Timeline: email reminders to be sent a week prior

April 1–April 15, 2014: Submit presentation information for Summer Conference on survey monkey

May 1– June 15, 2014: Register for Summer Conference and afternoon sessions

June 15, 2014: FINAL DEADLINE for submission of TSG Reports

Friday, June 27, 2014: SUMMER CONFERENCE

The MSUNER Teacher Study Group grants are also aligned with the New Jersey Professional Teaching Standards. The graphic illustrates the connections:

Click here to view the organizational chart and reports for the 2008-09 Teacher Study Groups.

Click here to view the organizational chart and reports for the 2009-10 Teacher Study Groups.

Click here to view the organizational chart and reports for the 2010-11 Teacher Study Groups.

Click here to view the organizational chart and reports for the 2011-2012 Teacher Study Groups.

Click here to view the organizational chart and reports for the 2012-2013 Teacher Study Groups.