The Smaller Learning Communities Program plans to announce a new SLC grant competition sometime in 2010. Please continue to check back for updates.

The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) in the U.S. Department of Education is seeking qualified individuals to serve as peer reviewers or peer review panel facilitators for the Smaller Learning Communities (SLC) program. The SLC program office anticipates issuing a notice inviting applications in 2010.

Qualified individuals interested in serving as peer reviewers or peer review panel facilitators may submit their resume or curriculum vitae (CV) electronically to smallerlearningcommunities@ed.gov. Please type “SLC Peer Review” in the subject heading. You will receive an email confirmation of receipt.

Please note that the Department will begin selecting and contacting prospective reviewers in spring 2010.

The following is a brief overview of expected roles and time commitments. Additional details will follow in spring 2010.

After completing required training sessions (up to 1.5 days), each peer review panel, comprised of one facilitator and three reviewers will evaluate and score up to seven proposals using the selection criteria that DOE has established for this competition. The entire review process will take approximately 5 full days.

Please be aware that the peer review may be conducted either off-site (via the Internet) or on-site (in Washington DC). By agreeing to serve, selected participants must be available and flexible for the entire process.

Reviewers and facilitators should have experience implementing, documenting, or evaluating policies, programs, or practices at the national, state, district, or school level to improve the academic achievement of public high school students. OESE is particularly seeking individuals who have experience and expertise in:

• Implementing academic advising, college counseling, and other programs and strategies to increase the participation of low-income and first-generation college students in postsecondary education;
• Improving the successful participation of low-income students in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or dual credit courses;
• Implementing smaller learning communities or other personalization strategies to strengthen academic support for students in large high schools.
• Increasing the academic achievement of low-income and minority adolescents in reading, mathematics, or science;
• Dropout prevention and recovery; or
• Implementing comprehensive, district-wide strategies to reform high schools and prepare all students for postsecondary education and careers without need for remediation.

The resume or curriculum vitae also must include:

• Education: A list of all postsecondary degrees earned by the individual, including the year each degree was awarded, the institution that awarded the degree, and major area of study.
• Current position: The title of the individual's current position, the name of the individual's employer, and a summary of the individual's duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments. Individuals who are consultants should identify their most recent clients and describe the services they provided to them.
• Previous positions: A list and description of each of the professional positions the individual has held over the last 15 years, including the title of each position, the employer, dates of employment, and a summary of the individual’s duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments.
• Publications: If applicable, a list of relevant articles or books the individual authored or co-authored, including the title, publisher, and date of publication.
• Contact information: The individual's preferred postal and email addresses and works, home, and fax telephone numbers.

Peer reviewers and panel facilitators must be proficient PC and Internet users.

Some individuals may have a conflict of interest that disqualifies them from participating as reviewers. An individual may not serve as a reviewer, and will not be considered, if a local educational agency submits a grant application for the SLC competition that-

• The individual helped to develop; or
• If funded, would benefit the individual or his/her spouse financially.

You may also direct any peer review or grant competition questions to smallerlearningcommunities@ed.gov.