MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

STEM Network Schools

between

The Education Alliance

and

[County Name] Board of Education: [School Name]

This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishes a collaborative partnership between the above entities from June 1, 2015 through August 30, 2018. This agreement outlines [County Name] County School’s partnership with The Education Alliance to establish [School Name] as a model STEM Network School.

STEM Network Schools, a program of The Education Alliance, have a focus in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). STEM Network Schools receive resources to become demonstration sites for innovative STEM practices that boost student achievement. The Network consists of six (6) secondary schools (middle and/or high schools) that develop and implement a school-based STEM Plan. The plans enhance the schools’ current STEM efforts by enriching STEM curriculum and instruction, strengthening STEM business partnerships and identifying resources to build capacity over the course of the three year project. The scope of work for each school will be developed according to the following timeline:

Year 1:Each school will identify a leadership team and STEM Coordinator VISTA(s) to participate in training and a site visit of a neighboring state’s successful STEM School.School teams will develop a STEM School Plan that outlines actions required for planning (2015-2016) and activities for two years of implementation with Network resources (2016-2017 and 2017-2018), and at least one year of sustainability (2018-2019).

Years 2-3:Network schools will work collaboratively with school and county leadership to implement their STEM Network Plan, develop STEM-based resources and create community awareness about the program. These long term changes include: revisions to the school curriculum and instruction that enhance STEM learning opportunities; project-based learning plans for students that integrate STEM-based technology; and the development and enhancement of STEM-related business partnerships.

The County Board of Education:

  1. Agrees to establish [School Name] as a STEM Network School according to the terms and conditions of this document.
  1. Will support the development and implementation of the school’s STEM Plan that will incorporate innovative STEM practices that boost student achievement.
  1. Will ensure the school meets all evaluation reporting requirements set by The Education Alliance to calculate its performance measures within time frame assigned.

The School:

  1. Agrees to participate as a STEM Network School according to the terms and conditions of this document.
  1. Use the $30,000 grant, distributed over a three year period, to enhance school-wide STEM learningopportunities that boost student achievement.
  1. Sponsor one to two (1-2) AmeriCorps VISTAs for a three year period who will serve as STEM Coordinators. See VISTA Guidelines.
  1. Develop a comprehensive STEM Plan that outlines how the school will enhance their current STEM initiatives and implement new best practices over a 3 year period.
  1. Actively participate in professional development and technical assistance provided through the Network.
  1. Collaborate with other STEM Network Schools to identity and share successful strategies and strengthen the individual/collective school’s ability to affect change.
  1. Participate in a third-party evaluation that analyzes the positive outcomes of program participation.
  1. Showcase STEM School successes to other schools interested in STEM education (years 3 and beyond).

The Education Alliance:

  1. Serve as the Fiscal Agent and overall administrator of the grant.
  1. Distribute a $30,000 grant, over a three year period, to each school to enhance school-wide STEM learning opportunities that boost student achievement.
  1. Provide a Program Director who will supervise the overall program, complete the grant application, meet grant requirements, complete required reports, and assist in the development of STEM Network Schools.
  1. Comply with the provisions of the Memorandum of Agreement with the Corporation for National and Community Service.
  1. Assist with recruitment, screening, interviewing, and selection of STEM Coordinator candidates when requested by the STEM Network School.
  1. Assist the Site Supervisor with the development of VISTA assignment descriptions. Provide final approval of all VISTA assignment descriptions prior to STEM Coordinators attending Pre-Service Orientation and beginning their term of service.
  1. Provide ongoing professional development for STEM schools and STEM Coordinators.
  1. Coordinate a third-party evaluation that analyzes the positive outcomes of program participation.

VISTA Guidelines

STEM Coordinators are AmeriCorps VISTAs who support the development and implementation of STEM School Plans. Coordinators’ serve under the guidance of their school supervisor and focus their efforts on building the organizational, administrative, and financial capacity of the Network Schools to enhance student STEM education opportunities.To support effective STEM Coordinators, Schools will:

  1. Identify a Site Supervisor to recruit qualified VISTA candidates,provide day-to-day supervision and evaluate performance.Site Supervisors will participate in STEM Network School professional development including the Supervisor’s Training webinar sponsored by the CNCS.
  1. Develop a Volunteer Assignment Description (VAD) work plan that meets Corporation for National Service (CNCS) guidelines, ensures compliance with VISTA prohibited activates, and outlines VISTA’s capacity building activities.
  1. Identify and recruit effective STEM Coordinators by providingadditional incentives that attract quality candidates (e.g. housing assistance, free or subsidized rent; meal assistance, free school meals or grocery subsidy; and/or transportation assistance, mileage reimbursement).Candidates may not be related by blood or marriage to the Site Supervisor and responsible program staff.
  1. Train STEM Coordinators on school specific policies and procedures as well as any requirements the county plans to place on the member. STEM Coordinators are required to participate in, in-person and web-based trainings offered by The Education Alliance and CNCS. The Site Supervisor will ensure all STEM Coordinators attend required trainings.
  1. Establish appropriate service hours (allowing for participation in Days of Service activities and disaster relief/emergency response), provide materials, and adequate working spaceto permit STEM Coordinators to perform their assigned duties.
  1. Make every reasonable effort to ensure the health and safety of STEM Coordinators by supervising activities and by: keeping accurate records of time worked, personal/sick leave taken, and addressing disciplinary problems. (*Notify the Program Director immediately when a problem arises regarding service performance, attitude, service hours, absences/tardiness, or any other concerns. The Education Alliance and the school do not have the authority to dismiss a VISTA from service, only CNCS may make that determination.)
  1. Reimburse STEM Coordinators for approved site related travel. STEM Coordinators should be reimbursed at the state rate (currently 47 cents per mile) and follow the site’s reimbursement policy. (The Education Alliance will provide travel reimbursement for Network training and required activities).
  1. Ensure that STEM Coordinators are not assigned to perform an employee’s duties or otherwise displace an employee or fill the position of an employee that has recently resigned or been discharged. If a site is found to be using an STEM Coordinator in this capacity, The Education Alliance reserves the right to re-assign that member to another site.
  1. No person with responsibilities in the operation of the project shall discriminate with respect to any aspect of the project because of race, creed, belief, color, national origin, sex, age, handicap, or political affiliation.STEM Coordinators should be provided with reasonable accommodations to members with disabilities.

The obligations of the parties hereto are subject to and governed by the terms and conditionsof the Memorandum of Understanding between the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and The Education Alliance which is incorporated herein by reference, and federal laws and regulations and CNCS policies applicable to the project, or which may become applicable to it subsequent to the execution of this Memorandum of Understanding.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

STEM Network Schools

Signature Page

County Level Authorization

Signature, The Sponsor - County Superintendent / Printed Name / Date
Signature, County Liaison (optional) / Printed Name / Date

STEM Network School: [School Name]

Signature, The Site – School Principal / Printed Name / Date
Signature, Site Supervisor / Printed Name / Date

The Education Alliance

Signature, President/CEO / Printed Name / Date
Signature, Program Director / Printed Name / Date

This Agreement shall become effective on June 1, 2015 and shall terminate on August 30, 2018. This Memorandum of Understanding may be amended at any time by an Agreement in writing executed by authorized representatives of The Education Alliance and the STEM Network School.

Send the originalsigned copy of this agreement to: The Education Alliance, Attn: STEM Network Schools, 803 Quarrier Street, Suite 500, Charleston, West Virginia 25301. Retain the copy for your records.