As chairperson for the Roanoke River Valley Consortium, I pledge our support in the implementation and institutionalization of the project entitled Dr. C. D. Turnage PACE/MSET Program. We shall provide the following:
~ Facilities to implement the PACE/MSET Clubs, Saturday Academy, and Summer Enrichment. ~ A director of instruction in each system to coordinate this project. ~ Services of the counselors to provide individual and group career planning in grades 9 - 12 for the "Alumni," of this program. ~Manpower to open the schools for the Saturday seminars (e.g., high schools and the computer labs). ~ Funds for refreshments for the participants while attending the Saturday Academy and the Summer Enrichment Institute. ~Arrange for staff members to attend a one day materials exhibit. ~ Release time for select staff representatives to meet with Elizabeth City State University representatives for project implementation and evaluation. ~ Assist in providing transportation for the Summer Enrichment Institute. ~ Release time for staff to attend professional development activities. ~ Internal technical assistance and liaison between RRVC and ECSU by assigning Dr. Shirley Turnage to this project at 20%. ~ Project administration and supervision on a day to day basis in addition to Dr. Joseph Nelson giving 10% to serve as Spokesperson. ~ Continuing Education Units (CEU's = 1 for each 10 hours) for staff who complete the staff training activities.
As you are aware these school systems have not been prior recipients of funding in the area of NASA's Pre-College Awards for Excellence in Mathematics, Science, Engineering, and Technology Program. With the implementation of this project in partnership with Elizabeth City State University, we will be better able to implement institutional changes with long-term impact on our instructional delivery system and within the systems' academic climate as it relates to increasing the number and enhancing the skills, knowledge, and interest of socially and economically disadvantaged and learning disabled students in college preparatory mathematics, science, and technology.
In addition, I have been appointed to serve on the North Carolina School Improvement Panel for Goals 2000. With this appointment I will make sure that this project will be extremely visible by keeping it at the forefront with the above panel. Therefore, the potential for replication shall be increased.
Hopefully, we shall receive funding and assist NASA in its efforts of implementing pre-college outreach efforts that target economically and socially disadvantaged students and students with learning disabilities.
Joseph Nelson, Ed.D.