A symbol (*) marks deadlines that have not appeared in a previous issue of Education Week.
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
June 15--Rural education: Proposals are due for presentations at the 1999 National Rural Education Association’s annual convention, sponsored by the NREA and Junior Achievement. The theme of the convention is “Youth/Adult Partnerships in Rural America,” and proposals may be made on several topics within rural education. Contact: Joseph Newlin, NREA, 246 Educational Building, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523; (970) 491-7022; e-mail: jnewlin@lamar.colostate.edu; Web site: www.colostate.edu/Orgs/NREA.
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
*June 1--Arts education: Applications are due for the Arts Recognition and Talent Search program, sponsored by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. High school seniors ages 17 and 18 are eligible to apply in eight categories: dance, music/jazz, music/instrumental, music/voice, photography, theater, visual arts, and writing. More than 100 artists will have the opportunity to earn cash awards of up to $3,000. There is a $25 application-processing fee. Contact: NFAA, 800 Brickell Ave., Miami, FL 33131; (800) 970-ARTS; Web site: www.nfaa.org.
June 15--Drug-abuse prevention: Submissions are due for the “Say No to Drugs” essay contest, sponsored by the Piano Princess, a musical group that performs a show called “Get High on Music Not Drugs.” Students ages 8 to 17 are asked to write a 500-word essay about why they chose to stay drug- and alcohol-free. The first-place winner will receive $500, the second-place winner will get $300, and the third-place winner will receive $200. Contact: PP, 88 Petersburg Road, Petersburg, NJ 08270; Web site: www.pianoprincess.com.
Gifted children: Applications are being accepted for the Distinguished Student Awards, sponsored by the National Association of Gifted Children and the Nicholas Green Foundation; deadlines vary by state between April and June. Awards will be given to one student in each state to recognize achievement in academics, creative arts, or leadership. Students in the 3rd to 6th grades are eligible. Awardees will receive a certificate and a $500 U.S. Savings Bond. Contact: NAGC, 1707 L St. N.W., Suite 550, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 785-4268; Web site: www.nagc.org.
TEACHER FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS
May 21--Classroom software: Submissions are due for the 1999 Knowledge Adventure Success in Schools contest, sponsored by Knowledge Adventure, a multimedia educational software developer. K-12 educators and parents who home-school their children should submit an entry form along with a 200-word essay describing how the company’s software has positively affected student learning. Five winners will each receive software worth approximately $500. Contact: KA, Customer Service, 19840 Pioneer Ave., Torrance, CA 90503; (800) 545-7677; Web site: www.educast.com.
*June 1--Early childhood: Applications are due for the Scholastic Early Childhood Professional Awards, sponsored by Scholastic Inc. The national award recognizes the the role of early-childhood educators and celebrates their achievement in the profession. Six national winners and 25 honorable mentions will be named. Each national award winner will receive $2,000 in Scholastic products, an editorial profile in Scholastic Parent & Child, a feature story in Early Childhood Today, and complimentary subscriptions to both publications. Contact: SI, 555 Broadway, New York, NY 10012-3999; (212) 343-4559; e-mail: scholawards@scholastic.com; Web site: www.scholastic.com/parentandchild.
*Sept. 15--Parent involvement: Nominations are due for the Dorothy Rich Awards, sponsored by the Home and School Institute’s MegaSkills Education Center. The award recognizes educators who work with parents to help children learn. Nominees must have a record of demonstrated experience of working in family-school efforts. Two recommendations should accompany the nominations. Contact: HSI, 1500 Massachusetts Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20005; (202) 466-3633; fax: (202) 833-1400; e-mail: HSIDRA@erols.com; Web site: www.MegaSkillsHSI.org.
OTHER DEADLINES
April 30--College preparation: Applications are due for Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for Undergraduate Programs--GEAR UP, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. The program is designed to give low-income students the skills, motivation, and preparation needed to pursue a postsecondary education. Applicants must be from a state agency or from a partnership, which should include at least one instituion of higher education, a local educational agency, and two additional public or private organizations. Contact: Karen Johnson, USDE; (202) 260-3209; fax: (202) 260-4269; e-mail: karen_johnson@ed.gov; Web site: www.ed.gov/gearup.