Mathematics Graduate Course Work Scholarships for Grades 6-8 Teachers

Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All (NCTM 2014) suggests that creating effective classrooms and learning environments in every school and district will take leaders committed to support sustained professional development that engages teachers in continual growth of their mathematical knowledge for teaching, pedagogical content knowledge, and knowledge of students as learners of mathematics (p. 114).

The purpose of this grant is to provide financial support for improving teachers' understanding of mathematics by completing graduate course work in mathematics. For 2020-21, scholarships with a maximum of $3,200 each will be awarded to persons currently teaching at the grades 6-8 level. Primary emphasis is placed on appropriate mathematics content courses . Mathematics education courses may also qualify if a suitable rationale is provided by the applicant. Proposals must address the following: rationale for the coursework, anticipated instructional improvements and expected impact on student learning outcomes.

The applicant must (1) be a current (on or before October 12, 2019) Essential or Premium member of NCTM or teach at a school with a current (on or before October 12, 2019) NCTM Pre-K-8 school membership ; (2) have taught school mathematics at least three years; and (3) intend to remain in teaching. No person(s) may receive more than one award administered by the Mathematics Education Trust in the same academic year. Past recipients of this scholarship are not eligible to reapply. Courses are to be completed between June 1, 2020, and May 31, 2021.

Interested teachers are invited to submit a proposal. The Proposal Cover Form must be completed and serve as the top page of each copy of the proposal. The proposal must be typewritten, double-spaced and single-sided (please organize as outlined below), with margins of at least one inch on 8.5" x 11" paper. Font size must be no smaller than 10-point (Times Roman suggested), and width between characters should be normal (100%). The proposal (as one PDF document) is to be submitted electronically to metgrants@nctm.org by the deadline date. No mailed or faxed copies will be accepted. Duplicate or revised applications will not be considered. Lack of an applicant's signature will automatically disqualify the proposal. No indirect costs.

Note:  This scholarship is awarded to an individual teacher. The Internal Revenue Service classifies scholarship payments in two ways: a non-taxable scholarship and a taxable scholarship. Awardees are responsible for reporting taxable scholarships and remitting any tax due with their personal income tax return. Additional information is available in IRS Publication 970, "Tax Benefits for Education" or from your tax professional.

View the scoring rubric. This rubric is used by reviewers to rate proposals and determine which proposals will be selected for funding.

Proposal Requirements

I. Proposal Cover Form (Microsoft Word)
❏ Complete all requested information.
❏ Must include NCTM member number or, for PreK-8, school's membership number.
❏ Must be signed.

II. Proposal (Three pages maximum)

Plan
❏ Provide a two-page, double-spaced essay.
❏ Describe your need for further course work in mathematics.
❏ Describe the courses you plan to take to address that need.  Include full course title and catalog description and number of credits for each course.

Outcome
❏ Describe how completing the proposed courses will help you improve your teaching and affect your students' learning.

III. Budget (Two pages maximum; table format)
❏ No Indirect Costs.
❏ Include itemized budget, presented in line-item table format.
    ❏ If the total budget for a proposed project is greater than the grant maximum, indicate clearly what the grant funds will cover and what additional funding sources might be available to complete the total budget.
❏ Be specific and indicate how you would allocate $3,200 from this award for tuition, books supplies, transportation, and other expenses related to achieving the goals of the proposal.

IV. Background and Experience
❏ Provide a one-page outline format listing:
❏ Formal education including the institution, type of degree, major, minor, and date each degree was granted.
❏ Teaching experience related to this scholarship proposal indicating the school(s), teaching assignments, and other pertinent information, including continuing education and professional activities.

V. Principal's Letter of Recommendation
❏ One-page maximum.
❏ Signed on school stationery, confirming the teaching status of the applicant, and indicating strong support for the proposal.

Final Report Requirements
❏ Recipients will be required to submit a two or three-page report outlining the insights and knowledge gained through the course work experience(s).
❏ Half of the approved budget, not to exceed $1,600, will be paid at the beginning of the project.  The remainder will be paid on receipt of a final report and verified expenses (with receipts) related to the proposal.

The Mathematics Education Trust was established by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.