<p> Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Governor</p><p>Michael S. Steele Lt. Governor</p><p>John J. Oliver, Jr. Chairman</p><p>M E M O R A N D U M</p><p>DATE: November 19, 2003</p><p>TO: Presidents, Public and Independent Colleges and Universities Deans, Schools of Arts and Sciences Deans and Directors of Teacher Education Directors of Sponsored Research K-12 Superintendents Directors, Nonprofit Organizations Past Applicants of Title II Programs Other Interested Parties</p><p>FROM: Paula Fitzwater Director, Office of Grants</p><p>SUBJECT: Request for Proposals (RFP) Improving Teacher Quality State Grants: Teacher and Principal Training and Recruiting Fund Partnership Grant Program</p><p>The Maryland Higher Education Commission is pleased to announce the availability of grant funds allocated under the higher education portion of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Title II: Improving Teacher Quality State Grants. These funds will be awarded on a competitive basis to K-16 partnerships that aim to improve teacher quality; increase the number of highly qualified teachers, and principals; and increase the academic achievement of Maryland students. For this grant period, this competition will award $1,066,248.89 to eligible partnerships to address the requirement that all teachers and principals be “highly qualified” by providing professional development in the core academic subject areas. </p><p>The RFP for the ITQ Teacher and Principal Training and Recruiting Fund Partnership Grant Program is available on the Commission’s website at http://www.mhec.state.md.us/Grants/ITQ/ITQ.asp. A technical assistance meeting will be held on December 5, 2003, at the Howard Community College, Instructional Lab Building, Multipurpose Room in Columbia Maryland. If you plan to attend the technical assistance meeting, please RSVP to Candace Caraco at [email protected] or 410-260-4578 by December 2, 2003. Proposals are due on March 1, 2004. Notification of grant awards will be made on or about April 1, 2004.</p><p>Thank you for your interest in providing quality professional development for Maryland’s K-12 educators. Please contact me at 410-260-4504 or [email protected] if you have questions regarding this RFP. </p><p>Maryland Higher Education Commission</p><p>839 Bestgate Rd.  Suite 400  Annapolis, MD 21401-3013</p><p>T 410.260.4500  800.974.0203  F 410.260.3200  TTY for the Deaf 800.735.2258  www.mhec.state.md.us </p>