REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
5632 Mt. Vernon Memorial Highway
Alexandria, VA 22309
(703) 360-8832
FAX (703) 360-5524

Title: Writing Team Leader to develop 12 "How To" aquaculture teaching manuals and to organize and coordinate revisions of previously developed aquaculture manuals designed for secondary teachers "infusing" aquaculture into the agricultural education curriculum.

Contract: June through December 1997.

Subcontract Description: Development and revisions of aquaculture instructional manuals will initiate June 1997 and conclude December 1997. A subcontractual agreement will be signed between the Writing Team Leader and the National Council for Agricultural Education (The Council). Funding is provided under a USDA grant to "infuse aquaculture into the agricultural education curriculum." The Writing Team Leader will report directly to the Special Projects Director/Aquaculture at The Council. The Writing Team Leader is expected to head a team of technical writers and curriculum developers. The team's goals are to:
    (1) develop and produce a set of camera ready, and complete instructional manuals covering 12 pre-determined topics          pertaining to aquaculture education,
    (2) coordinate review and revise several previously developed aquaculture manuals, and
    (3) present several fully prepared "hands on" exercises from at least 6 of the 12 "How To" topics at a national                         "train-the-trainer" inservice workshop to be held August 1-5.                

To achieve these goals the team will:
(1) determine what relevant instructional materials in aquaculture exist,
(2) determine what support materials and references exist and prepare an updatable electronic inventory,
(3) find out what lab exercises are available and adapt to aquaculture topics,
(4) use national skill standards that are applicable to aquaculture, and
5) address the integration of new material into existing agricultural education efforts.

Instructional materials will include:
(1) identification of specific skills in accordance with national skills standards
(2) hands-on laboratory exercises covering major areas applicable to aquaculture in the classroom, and
(3) integration with "school to work initiative," "tech-prep" program, other subject areas, and career passport/portfolio preparation for higher education. Additionally, the Writing Team Leader will initiate a "peer-review" of 17 previously developed aquaculture teaching manuals and organize and coordinate recommended revisions.

All instructional materials developed under this subcontract will complement aquaculture education materials previously developed by The Council and incorporate interactive, "hands-on" activities employing safe, environmentally responsible, appropriate, state-of -the-art teaching and laboratory equipment and technology.

Contract/funding: Writing Team Leader will be an independent contractor. Total funding available for this subcontract is $48,000.00. Funding to meet the goal of this subcontract, including the Writing Team Leader's compensation, is limited to this amount. (Travel to planning meeting and to the National Inservice will be provided by The Council.) The Writing Team Leader is expected to engage additional technical writers including, at least, one writer with extensive aquaculture experience, curriculum developers, and/or support staff as needed. No indirect costs may be applied under any agreement with the Writing Team Leader or subcontracts. Subcontracts and any amendments must be approved by The Council in advance.

Writing Team Leaders responsibilities: Work independently under authority of the National Council for Agricultural Education in all matters related to the objectives of this agreement. Writing Team Leader will be responsible for keeping the Special Projects Director/Aquaculture informed of progress; maintain clerical, technical, and professional services, and financial accountability; prepare interim and final progress reports. Writing Team Leader and team will attend a project planning meeting on June 13-14, 1997 at a site to be determined. Writing Team Leader will assure quality control and serve as primary representative for this effort to The Council.

Qualifications: Highly motivated individual with successful experience in curriculum development. Outstanding writing skills with knowledge of aquaculture. Evidence of capacity/support to complete project. Demonstrated communications skills and evidence of successful experience in agricultural education, science education, environmental education, curriculum development, and /or other successful agriscience or aquaculture experience is very desirable.

Additional selection criteria may be obtained from The Council (tel: 760-360-8832, e-mail: gordon_mengel@ffa.org).

The Council: The National Council for Agricultural Education is a not-for-profit organization established to provide creative and innovative leadership and to carry out high quality programs for agricultural education as a part of public education. The Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Application: Send letter of application, complete curriculum vitae, sample of at least one educational product completed within the past five years and a minimum of three professional references to:
Gordon J. Mengel,
Special Projects Director/Aquaculture c/o National Council for Agricultural Education.

Critical Dates: Applications must be postmarked to the above address by June 6, 1997. Contract available June 1997.