PAS Educational Scholars Program (ESP)
Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who selects the scholars and how many will be selected? The Academic Pediatric Association’s Faculty Development Program Executive Committee selected 30 scholars for the first offering of the program (Cohort I), and 10 additional scholars for Cohort II: Community Pediatrics, in January 2007. A new cohort of 20, including 10 pediatric hospitalists and 10 other pediatric educators will be selected in 2008.

  2. What are the criteria for acceptance? We are looking for a sound and innovative project proposal that is likely to have a positive impact on education, plus good supporting documentation from the Scholar’s institution and mentor. Project proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:
    • Relevance to ESP goals (important educational topic, scholarly approach)
    • Innovation in topic or approach
    • Feasibility of accomplishing project objectives (e.g., time, resources, technical capability)
    • Quality of methods (e.g., sound design, timeline reasonable, methods appropriate to purpose, methods described with nuanced understanding, tools well constructed)
    • Quality of project evaluation (e.g., both process and outcome measures, appropriate respondents, sound tools)
    • Potential for dissemination (e.g., clarity of written proposal, experience with dissemination methods, sound plan, past peer review successes)

  3. Will the program accept fellows as well as faculty? ? Faculty applicants are preferred, but fellows who plan an academic career in pediatrics may apply, if they have decided to sustain a significant focus on education in their careers.

    The three year duration of the ESP program can create complexity for fellows who will move on to a faculty position before completing the program. In this case, the scholar’s new supervisor in a faculty position must agree to support continuation of the project and potentially share payment of the tuition fee. Shortening tenure in program to 2 years will not be an option.

  4. Is this program designed only for new faculty members, or can mid-career faculty also apply? We plan to include a mix of new faculty and those with more experience who want to develop new skills to enhance their academic repertoire.

  5. Can sub-specialists apply? Yes, sub-specialists are welcome and encouraged to participate. The focus of the program is education, not any particular specialty.In 2008, pediatric hospitalists are especially encouraged to apply.

  6. Must the Scholar be an MD to apply? No, the program will accept anyone who has a pediatric faculty appointment, or a pediatrician with a faculty appointment in another department (e.g., Emergency Medicine), or a community faculty member who teaches pediatrics to students or residents.

  7. What does the Educational Scholar’s Program cost? All applicants must pay a $50 application fee. For accepted scholars, a tuition of $5000 is payable on March 1, 2008.Operating costs are also partially subsidized by the Academic Pediatric Association.

  8. Does the ESP provide financial or travel support to Scholars? No, we have no funds for this purpose. Your supervisor’s support for the tuition fee, time protection, project costs, and travel to the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting will be required for you to participate. Some Scholars may have access to grant support, e.g. through institutional faculty development grants, to supplement local resources.

  9. What exactly does the 10% time commitment mean? Does it mean a salary commitment? The ESP will not subsidize the scholar’s 10% time commitment. Negotiation of the supervisor’s agreement to protect the scholar’s time is the responsibility of the scholar. Our expectation is that Scholars will be doing projects that are a direct contribution to their department or institution and that fit into their current job commitments, or can be negotiated to become a part of the Scholar’s job commitments. Program participation should also benefit the department by making the Scholar more effective as a serious educator, and more promotable.

  10. What is meant by a project in educational scholarship? Projects should be focused on the development, implementation, evaluation and/or dissemination of educational interventions or evaluation methods by a creative, planned and rigorous process that is consistent with best practices in the field and reviewed by peers for excellence. Scholarly projects are described, with examples, at http://www.academicpeds.org/site/education/PASProject.htm

  11. How should I choose a mentor? Your mentor does not need to be a pediatrician or a member of your department, but should have expertise in a key area related to your project.An educator may be a better choice than a clinical content expert. A good mentor is approachable and available, and personally committed to the mentee's success. Mentors should also be experienced and widely respected, so they can help their mentee network with senior colleagues and gain visibility in their field. Ideally, a Scholar's mentor is local, but that is not a requirement. Scholars must make their own arrangements with mentors, but the ESP faculty can help identify a potential mentor upon request. The mentor's letter and qualifications will be reviewed as part of the application process.

  12. What is a project monitor? All Scholars will have a self-selected mentor, and in addition will be assigned an ESP faculty advisor. The advisor will track progress on the Scholar's project, providing project assistance if problems are encountered, as well as review educator portfolios and offer career guidance.

  13. What are the requirements for successful completion of the program?
    • Enlist the support of your Department for the program: Scholars must commit 10% FTE to the program in order to complete the full curriculum, including projects, over 3 years, and pay the $5000 enrollment tuition fee.
    • Attend 3 PAS teaching sessions over 3 years: The didactic component of the program will include a core curriculum taught in three full-day sessions, offered each year at PAS for three consecutive years.
    • Review 6 workshops or other structured educational activities: Over the three years of the program, Scholars must participate in and thoughtfully evaluate 6 workshops, symposia, or other organized educational activity at the PAS, APPD or equivalent meetings.
    • Participate in discussions and learning activities assigned on the ESP Virtual Learning Platform, and develop an Educator Portfolio.
    • Conduct a mentored project in educational scholarship and provide evidence of a successfully peer reviewed presentation or publication related to the project. The self-directed, experiential component of the program will be a mentored project related to education, in most cases conducted at the Scholar’s home institution.

  14. What will I get out of the program? Being in the ESP will give you: a certificate of participation with a letter to your supervisor, help with implementation of a substantial educational project, a peer-reviewed publication or presentation to add to your curriculum vitae, a systematic learning experience to enhance your skills as an educational scholar, , expert career guidance, and networking with a national group of like-minded academic peers.
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