PREP Workshop Proposal Guidelines

Guidelines for Proposing a PREP Workshop for 2009

Overview of the Program

The Mathematical Association of America PRofessional Enhancement Program (PREP) seeks proposals for 2009 PREP workshops. While funding for 2009 is not yet secure, we anticipate supporting roughly 10 workshops next year. Proposals will be reviewed beginning in August with notification anticipated in mid-September 2008.

A new focus of PREP beginning in 2009 is the integration of technology as a mechanism for both content delivery and communication among organizers and participants. The growth of tools that facilitate both real-time and asynchronous discussions are changing the way our students live and learn, and changing the face of the workplace for all of us. It is incumbent on us, as educators, to use these tools and learn both their strengths and limitations. Thus we seek proposals that will use such tools to deliver on-line workshops or to enhance more traditional workshops. We anticipate that the length of on-site components of workshops may be shortened by effective use of technology. Nevertheless, proposals should be clear that the technology is not the focus of the workshop, but a tool to enhance the mathematical and pedagogical impact of the program.

Each PREP workshop is an extended professional development program that includes active involvement by all participants and a commitment by all faculty participants to make use of what they learn in their professional life. Each PREP workshop has three components. The preparatory component begins with the application process through which the participants indicate the ways that the PREP workshop will impact their professional activities, includes preparatory reading and other assignments, and establishes electronic communication among the participants and experts. The intensive component takes place over a number of days and provides an opportunity for participants to actively interact with the expert workshop leaders and the other participants. The intensive component may be either on-site or on-line. The on-going component occurs after the intensive component. During this component, participants make use of the expertise they acquired in earlier intensive components of the workshop. Communication continues among the participants and leaders throughout this period, and the participants share the outcomes of their work. The typical PREP workshop will have 20-25 participants and be funded at $20-25,000.

PREP is designed to offer a full range of enrichment experiences. The primary audience is mathematical sciences faculty from all types of institutions, including two-year colleges, liberal arts colleges, minority-serving institutions, comprehensive universities and research universities. PREP programs are equally open to all faculty, independent of whether or not they are members of the MAA or any other professional organization. Specifically, PREP targets individuals from underrepresented groups and faculty who teach large numbers of students from these groups, and individuals who have not previously participated in professional development activities. Although most of the programs in PREP are for faculty in the mathematical sciences, those from other disciplines are welcome, and some programs may specifically encourage communication among mathematics faculty and those from other disciplines.

Programs for all aspects of career enhancement are encouraged. PREP workshops that present modern mathematical ideas or current interest in research and interdisciplinary applications are especially welcome. Programs that present new developments in teaching and learning, innovative approaches to leadership and career enhancement, or focus on innovative curricula and pedagogical strategies are also welcome. All programs must appeal to a general audience of mathematical professionals.

We anticipate funding to support approximately seven core workshops each year. In addition, we invite other NSF project directors who have funds to offer a workshop to apply for inclusion under the PREP umbrella. Through this process, a workshop will gain access to the wide audience, logistical support and (if needed) evaluation services developed for the PREP program. Programs considered for inclusion in this way must meet the same guidelines as core PREP workshops. Additional information for this track appears below.

Although programs can differ in format, it is expected that:

The preparatory component of a PREP workshop consists of activities that are completed by participants in advance of the intensive component and that are delivered, at least in part, using a form of distance learning.
The intensive component of a PREP workshop actively involves the participants by featuring activities such as participant projects, small group discussions, computer or calculator experiences and distance learning activities.
A PREP workshop has an on-going component including electronic communication/networking and special sessions at local and/or national meetings as a way to keep participants involved and supports the overall goal of providing a sustained professional development experience. Participants are encouraged to make effective use of their experience and report on their activities as part of this on-going component.

Responsibilities of a Program Director

The authority and responsibility for designing and conducting a professional enhancement program rests with the program director. In general, the program director will:

Provide detailed information, such as program description, requirements and expectations for participants, dates, locations and agendas, names and short resumes of program leaders to the MAA, for recruitment and selection of participants.
Communicate with participants and develop an active preparatory component for the PREP workshop.
Work with the MAA Director of Programs and Services to identify an appropriate coordinator for local arrangements.
Oversee and participate in the on-going component of the PREP workshop.
Manage the budget and promptly submit bills and receipts to the MAA for reimbursement.
Consult with MAA to identify any possible sources of supplemental funding for the workshop.
Participate in program evaluation activities.
Submit a final report to the MAA.

The Role of the MAA

The MAA headquarters is responsible for overall management of the PREP project. The MAA will advertise the programs, solicit and process applications for each program, collect registration fees, provide website support and listserv maintenance, oversee the budgets, coordinate the program evaluation activities, and provide technical support and advice as needed. The PREP steering committee reviews all proposals and provides advice to the PREP management team, which makes final program determination.

More detailed information can be found in the PREP Director's Handbook.

Special Information for Workshops Funded through Other Sources

We invite the directors of workshops funded through other projects to apply to become part of the PREP program. Being a part of the PREP program can add a level of visibility to your workshop that you can not provide independently. For programs accepted as part of PREP, we will:

Advertise them along with all PREP workshops, without distinction from workshops we wholly support, though we will (as we already do) acknowledge other sources of support in all literature or web advertising. The PREP brochure is mailed to all MAA members and distributed at the Joint Meetings and through section meetings. At least one article and two-three ads for PREP appear in FOCUS during the winter and spring. We maintain the project website, with descriptions of all workshops and links to individual workshop websites, according to instructions of workshop director. The program is advertised through the MAA liaison network and other networks as appropriate. (Of course, we encourage individual directors to identify other appropriate venues to advertise the program and to promote their workshops as well.)

Provide registration services for the workshop. Our on-line registration system allows us to provide regular and complete reports of application status. In addition to name and contact information, we collect a range of professional and demographic information to assist workshop leaders in the selection of appropriate participants. We also manage the collection of all registration fees.

Provide some base-line evaluation services. Both pre- and post-workshop questionnaires, developed by Barbara Edwards of Oregon State University, will be administered to all workshop participants. After the results are compiled, we will return a report to the workshop director.

The registration fee structure for workshops in 2008 will be $300 by "early bird" date, $400 after. In general, the early date will be 8-10 weeks prior to workshop, with late registration open while space permits. Of this fee, PREP will retain the first $3600 (12 participants) and $50 per participant thereafter. Remaining registration funds will be returned to the workshop director to further support the program.

Preparation of Proposals

A proposal should contain the following information.

1. Background data

Name(s) of presenter(s) and their affiliations

Name, phone number, FAX number, e-mail and snail-mail address(es) of program director

Dates for intensive component of proposed program as well as tentative schedule for preparatory and on-going components.

Location of proposed program

2. Title

The title should succinctly and clearly define the content and purpose of the program.

Items #3-6 below refer to full proposals only. See item #7 for preproposals.

3. Abstract

The abstract should be at most 250 words in length. It should clearly state objectives and expected outcomes of the program including products. It should describe the format of the program, state any prerequisites and indicate the materials to be distributed to and utilized by participants. The abstract for your program, should it be accepted, will serve as the basis for future promotional material, bo

4. Narrative

The narrative should be at most eight double-spaced pages. It should contain the following components:

a. Overview of the program. Briefly describe the program, clearly stating the goals and objectives, planned activities including preparatory and on-going activities, general organizational structure, general schedule of activities and expected outcomes.

b. Description of the program. Describe the preparatory component. List readings and describe on-line activities to be completed by participants prior to attending the program. Describe the intensive component. Give a schedule of activities including topics to be covered with approximate times, speakers, discussions sessions and so on. Describe the product participants are expected to produce. Describe the on-going component. Describe how the three components of the program are integrated to provide a sustained professional development experience.

c. Facilities and resources. For on-site PREP workshops, describe the facilities where the program will be held and resources and equipment available to participants. Specify the room and board arrangements for participants.

d. Experience and capability of organizers. Describe the experience and capability of each primary contributor (organizers and principal presenters) with respect to the proposed program. Describe the responsibilities of each organizer.

5. Budget

The budget should include provisions to cover participants’ room and board, stipends for program leaders, local organizers and student assistants, materials and supplies, and operational and technical assistance. Budgets should not include funds for advertising, processing applications, travel support for participants from resource poor institutions or evaluation activities. These components will be managed through the MAA.

6. Letter of Support

The proposal should include a letter of support from the college or university (local site) representative who is authorized to approve use of facilities and personnel time.

7. Preproposals only (not required)

Submit a narrative of up to three pages double-spaced describing the proposed activity. Members of the PREP management team will review the preliminary proposal to determine if the activity meets the scope of the PREP program.

Submission of Proposals

Proposals are due by August 8, 2008, for programs to be conducted in 2009. However, early proposals are welcome to allow project directors to meet and begin the review process at MathFest (July 31-August 2). Applicants will be notified in mid-September if their program is selected.

An electronic version of either a preliminary or a final proposal should be submitted to:

Jurgita Schwan, MAA Sponsored Programs Coordinator
Department of Programs and Services
1529 Eighteenth Street NW
Washington, DC 20036

proposals@maa.org
phone 202-319-8468
fax 202-483-5450

For questions concerning the preparation of a proposal or the PREP program, please contact a member of the PREP management team:

jon.scott@montgomerycollege.edu

You may also download a complete PREP Program Director Handbook.

Budget Guidelines for a PREP workshop.

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