Schools participating in a nonprofit-funded math and science training program saw student scores on advanced placement tests soar 39 percent, according to Mass Insight,  a nonprofit education institute that administers the program. Backed by $13.5 million from a national math and science coalition that includes ExxonMobil, the Gates Foundation and the Dell Foundation, Massachusetts Math and Science Initiative (MMSI) schools saw AP score growth 11 times greater than non-participants and saw an even greater improvement for minority and low-income students. Narrowing the so-called achievement gap for minority and low-income students has been a persistent challenge for state education officials, and Mass Insight leaders pointed to the results as an example of success. MMSI schools include high schools in Chelsea, Malden, Marlborough, Milton, Northampton, Roxbury, Revere, Springfield and Worcester. Worcester North High School saw the number of passing AP scores jump 112 percent this year, while Chelsea posted an 81 percent increase and Malden High School increased 59 percent. Twelve more high schools will offer MMSI courses in the upcoming school year. Those schools include Attleboro High School, BMC Durfee High School in Fall River, Dedham High School, Easthampton High School, MATCH Charter Public High School in Boston, Methuen High School, Lawrence Math, Science and Technology High School, Peabody High School, Randolph High School, Springfield Science & Technology High School, Worcester South High School and Winthrop High School. Mass Insight says the program is expected to eventually reach 90 high schools and support 1,200 teachers and 37,000 students by 2013.

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