The following information describes the Mathematics and Science Partnerships Program (MSP) and the purpose of the Annual Performance Report.

The Mathematics and Science Partnerships program (MSP) is intended to increase the academic achievement of students in mathematics and science by enhancing the content knowledge and teaching skills of classroom teachers. Partnerships between high-need school districts and the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) faculty in institutions of higher education are at the core of these improvement efforts. The MSP program is a formula grant program to the states, with the size of individual state awards based on counts of students living in poverty. With these funds, each State administers a grant competition, in which awards are made to partnerships to improve teacher knowledge and skills in mathematics and science.

The legislation that authorizes the MSP program, Title II, Part B, Section 2202 (f) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-110), requires each of the projects funded by the States to submit an annual report to the U.S. Department of Education (ED), documenting the partnership's progress in meeting its MSP goals and objectives. This Annual Performance Report reporting system is the tool designated by the Department for this reporting.