The Department is pleased to cooperate with the National Science Foundation (NSF) in conducting the nomination and selection process for the 2001 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching. This program purpose is to identify outstanding elementary, middle/junior high and senior high teachers of science and mathematics who can serve as models for their colleagues. They represent a premier group of science and mathematics teachers who bring national and state standards to life in their classrooms. They provide the state with an impressive array of expertise to help improve teaching and learning while becoming more deeply involved in activities such as curriculum materials selection, research and school improvement planning.
To be eligible, secondary teachers must have a minimum of five years teaching experience in mathematics or science and must be assigned at least half time as a science or math teacher in a public or private middle/junior high or senior high school. Eligible elementary teachers are those K-6 teachers with a minimum of five years experience who have at least half-time classroom teaching assignments, which include science and/or mathematics. Both self-contained classroom teachers and specialist teachers are eligible; however, applicants must select the area (mathematics or science) in which they wish to apply.
The path to the Presidential Awards begins with an application and its review by a committee at the state level. These committees determine the 648 State Finalists, three per state in each of the four teaching-award categories. Next, a national selection committee, composed of prominent scientists, mathematicians, educators, administrators, and past awardees, reviews the applications of the State Finalists. Recommendations are then made to the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the White House, and the awardees are selected. Once approved, Presidential Awardees are notified of their selection. Awardees receive a Presidential citation, $7,500 NSF grant for their school, and acknowledgment that they have enhanced science and mathematics teaching.
To allow adequate time for applications to be prepared and returned to the Department by February 12, 2001, requests for an application packet should be made by Friday, January 12, 2001. Application packet requests and questions about the program should be directed to:
For Mathematics Packets
Roy L. Barnes, K-12 Mathematics
Arkansas Department of Education
#4 State Capitol Mall, Room 107-A
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
E-mail: rbarnes@arkedu.k12.ar.us
501-682-5296
or
For Science Packets
Bill Fulton, K-12 Science
Arkansas Department of Education
#4 State Capitol Mall, Room 107-A
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
E-mail: bfulton@arkedu.k12.ar.us
501-682-4471