Math and Science Partnership: Research, Evaluation, and Technical Assistance (MSP RETA)

The Math and Science Partnership (MSP) program builds on the nation's dedication to improve mathematics and science education through support of partnerships that unite the efforts of local school districts with faculties of colleges and universities -- especially disciplinary faculties in mathematics, science and engineering  --  and with other stakeholders.  The MSP program seeks to improve student outcomes in mathematics and science for all students, at all K-12 levels.

This solicitation addresses the research, evaluation, and technical assistance (MSP RETA) component of the MSP program.

The MSP RETA projects are intended to enhance the capacity of the MSP Comprehensive and Targeted (MSP C&T) projects to achieve their goals and to contribute to the development and dissemination of the knowledge base necessary to achieve sustained educational reform.  MSP RETA accomplishes its purpose through:

• Theoretically informed, methodologically rigorous projects that contribute to the understanding of the processes that support continuous improvement of K-12 mathematics and science teaching and learning by using the MSP C&T projects as research sites;  
  
• Rigorous, innovative evaluation projects that develop new models and tools for documenting, assessing and assisting MSP C&T projects' progress toward their goals; and
  
• Technical assistance projects that build on a strong research base and that develop, implement and evaluate both (a) models of support and (b) tools for the MSP projects, particularly in the use of research and data.