The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Innovation and Improvement is seeking application reviewers for its upcoming Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) grant competition. This application review plays a significant role in determining the recipients of three-year projects to develop and implement magnet schools.

MSAP grants assist in the desegregation of public schools by supporting the use of magnet schools designed to help eliminate, reduce, and prevent of minority group isolation in elementary and secondary schools with substantial numbers of minority group students. In order to meet the statutory purposes of the program, the magnet schools included in grant applications must also assist in the achievement of systemic reforms and provide all students with the opportunity to meet challenging academic content and student academic achievement standards. Additional information about the MSAP is available elsewhere on our website:

• Program Purpose
• Applicant Information
• FY 2007 Federal Register Notice PDF (146K)

Reviewers should have educational background and experience in one or preferably more of the following areas: magnet school planning and implementation; elementary education; secondary education; educational administration; evaluation of educational programs; curriculum development; staff development; school desegregation; public school choice; and/or minority education. MSAP reviewers will also receive an honorarium for their participation in the MSAP review process.

Each reviewer will be responsible for participating in the review of approximately 8 applications using ED's e-Reader system for on-line peer reviews of grant applications that allows grant application reviewers to complete and submit all necessary forms via the Internet. MSAP reviewers are expected to read each assigned applications carefully and thoroughly, make a preliminary assessment of each application's strengths and weaknesses based on the MSAP's selection criteria and priorities, and record them using e-Reader software. For each application, panelists must participate in panel conference call discussions of the strengths and weaknesses of each application and to finalize application scores and written comments in e-Reader based on the selection criteria and priorities that justify their scores. You can find additional information about e-Reader at http://e-grants.ed.gov/e-read/reHome.asp. In particular, please be sure to review the section addressing computer requirements in order to insure that your computer meets the necessary criteria to support your participation in the e-Reader process.

The schedule for the MSAP application review has not yet been finalized, however, MSAP panel reviews will most likely take place beginning in early to mid-June with all MSAP review related work to be completed within approximately two weeks from the time that the review process begins. Reviewers will also be expected to participate in an orientation teleconference that lasts about two hours and takes place a few days prior to the beginning of the application review.

Prospective application reviewers should send a copy of their resume to the MSAP by e-mail to Joan.Scott-Ambrosio@ed.gov. In the subject line, indicate "MSAP REVIEWER RESUME". Be sure to include an address, phone number(s) and e-mail address at which we can reach you. If selected, prospective application reviewers will receive written notification and other information about the review process.