SDE Invites Proposals for Service Learning Program

(Santa Fe, NM)—The New Mexico State Department of Education (SDE) today issued a request for proposals (RFP) to coordinate, develop, administer, monitor and evaluate the New Mexico Service Learning Program for the state’s school districts, grades 6-12. The total proposal funding of $100,000 is available from September 2, 2003 to June 30, 2004. Proposals are due to the SDE by August 1 at 4:00 p.m.

Under the General Appropriations Act of 2003, service learning was included in related appropriations. “We thank the Legislature and the Governor for their vision in helping to bring lasting relevance to learning. Our vision is for a New Mexico service learning program that translates academic learning into meaningful experiences that extend beyond the physical limits of the classroom,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Michael J. Davis.

Offerors should address community needs in designing and building programs, integrating service learning into classroom curriculum, implementing and expanding service learning programs in 10 school districts with the possibility of coordination and collaboration between districts and/or schools, relevant professional development/technical assistance in order to build capacity and program monitoring and evaluation.

For a copy of the RFP or more information, please contact Iona Regala, education administrator, at the SDE at (505) 827-6656 or iregala@ped.state.nm.us.

The successful offeror/s will be notified on August 25. The service learning contract will begin on September 8.