Summer 2004

Program Description:

The Martin Luther King, Jr., Scholars Program is a unique summer internship experience at the U.S. Department of Education, established in commemoration of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his contributions to civil and human rights in America.

Up to ten outstanding undergraduate or graduate students with an interest in education policy or public policy and administration will be selected to participate in the program this summer.

Selected students will be designated as Martin Luther King, Jr., Scholars and will receive temporary Federal appointments in the excepted service for an eight-week period,
June 14-August 6, 2004. This time period may be extended for up to an additional four weeks on a case-by-case basis. Scholars will be hired at grades GS-4, 5, 7, or 9, depending on qualifications and education level completed (corresponding pay range: $11.32 to $19.19 per hour). Scholars will be responsible for their own transportation to and from Washington, DC, and for their housing during their internships.

Scholars will be assigned to the Office of the Secretary and the immediate offices of the Assistant Secretaries of Education at the Department's headquarters in Washington, DC.

Scholars will assist with a variety of projects related to critical education programs and initiatives, analysis, policy development, legal, or other work designed to provide developmental experiences and exposure to government and public policy in a Cabinet-level Department.

Eligibility Requirements:

The program is open to continuing college juniors, seniors, and graduate students. Students must be enrolled on a full-time basis in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program and have plans to register for the Fall semester. Students can be from any field of study.

Students must be in good academic standing, with a minimum GPA of 3.3 (academic transcripts required). Two academic references will also be a required part of the student's application.

Note: Graduating baccalaureate, master's, or doctoral students who are not enrolled and continuing their education in the academic semester following the summer internship are not "continuing students" and are not eligible for this program. In addition, students who have participated in the Department's Martin Luther King, Jr., Scholars Program in previous years are not eligible.

Recruitment Procedures:

The U. S. Department of Education, Office of Management, Human Resources Services, will post a special announcement for the Martin Luther King, Jr., Scholars Program. The recruiting announcement will briefly describe the program and specify eligibility requirements, application procedures, citizenship requirements, contact information, and other required announcement information.

The announcement will be posted on the U.S. Department of Education's Web site (www.ed.gov), the U. S. Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) USAJobs Web site (www.usajobs.opm.gov), and Studentjobs.gov (www.studentjobs.gov).

The announcement will be open on December 8, 2003, and close on January 26, 2004. Scholars will be notified of their acceptance to the program by March 31, 2004.

Applications:

Students desiring to be Martin Luther King, Jr., Scholars will be required to submit:
· A resume or OF-612 application form (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of612.pdf)
· Proof of continuing enrollment (transcript or letter from the registrar)
· Proof of academic good standing (transcript)
· Two academic references (name, title, contact information)
· Brief essay (500 words) on the link between education policy and the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., evident in the following quotation: "We are prone to judge success by the index of our salaries or the size of our automobiles, rather than by the quality of our service and relationship to humanity." (Stride Toward Freedom, p. 94)
· A one-page cover letter on why the student wishes to be a Martin Luther King, Jr., Scholar and what he or she has accomplished or plans to accomplish that embraces Dr. King's philosophy.

The U. S. Department of Education's Human Resources Services will review the application packages for legal, regulatory, and program requirements. Applications from eligible students will be referred to a panel for review. Applications will be evaluated based on academic achievement, the quality of thought exemplified in the letter and essay, and the strength of the candidate's interest in education policy or public policy and administration.

Expectations:

Scholars will be expected to:
· Commit to an eight-week period beginning June 14, 2004 and ending on
August 6, 2004, with the possibility of up to a four-week extension;
· Work closely with a Senior Official on a specific issue/project;
· Participate in periodic briefings and other activities held for Scholars;
· Deliver a final presentation to Senior Staff detailing their experience as a Martin Luther King, Jr., Scholar.

Please note: Students selected as Martin Luther King, Jr., Scholars will be required to secure their own housing while in Washington. A list of possible housing and contact information for scholars who might be looking for roommates will be made available.