High Quality Supplemental Educational Services And After-school Partnerships Demonstration Program, Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII) is seeking peer reviewers for this recently announced discretionary grant competition.

WHO IS SELECTED TO REVIEW APPLICATIONS?

We are seeking reviewers with expertise in the design, implementation, and/or administration of one or more of the following areas:

• Title 1 Schools
• 21st Century Schools Program
• Supplemental Educational Services
• Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Education
• Evaluation of Educational Programs

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME IF I AM SELECTED TO REVIEW APPLICATIONS?

The reviewer role is a crucial part of the grant making process. ED relies on the recommendations and scores of reviewers in deciding which applications to fund. Additionally, ED relies on reviewers to provide constructive feedback and comments to aid unsuccessful applicants in identifying how their applications could be strengthened in the future.

Each reviewer will serve as a member of a review panel that will evaluate assigned HQ/SES And After-school Partnerships Demonstration applications based on the selection criteria for these grants that were published in the July 7, 2008 Federal Register notice announcing this grant competition. Reviewers will be expected to read each assigned application, participate in a facilitated teleconference discussion concerning the strengths and weaknesses of each assigned application, and complete a review form for each assigned application that documents strengths, weaknesses and scores. (Each reviewer will also be expected to participate in a reviewer orientation teleconference prior to beginning application review work). The review process will be conducted electronically. Travel to Washington, DC, will not be necessary. Reviewers will be remunerated for their work. The number of reviewers needed will depend upon the number of applications actually received. We will notify potential reviewers of their status when we have a better estimate of the number of applications that will be reviewed. If selected as a reviewer, you will receive written notification and other information about the review process. ED solicits reviewers without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age or disability.

All reviewers must have access to adequate computer technology and possess the skills needed to participate in the Department's on-line review system, E-reader. You can find additional information about E-reader at the Department's E-Grants website: http://www.grants.gov

WHEN IS THE APPLICATION REVIEW SCHEDULE?

The due date for the submission of applications is August 12, 2008. Panel reviews will begin August 25th and should be completed by September 08, 2008. Please note that the Labor Day weekend (Saturday, August 30 to Monday, September 1) falls in the middle of the panel review period. Reviewers will be expected to be available both the week before the holiday weekend and the week following the holiday weekend.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM INTERESTED?

If you are interested in serving as a reviewer, please e-mail a copy of your current resume using the subject heading "Reviewer Request" to us by August 1st to:

High Quality Supplemental Educational Services and After-school Partnerships Demonstration Program, E-mail: HQSESafterschool@ed.gov

We hope you will consider serving as a reviewer for the High Quality Supplemental Educational Services And After-school Partnerships Demonstration Program. Also, if you know of any other qualified and interested individuals, please feel free to pass along this information. If you have any questions please contact Michelle Johnson Armstrong at HQSESafterschool@ed.gov or (202) 205-1729.