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DID YOU KNOW?
+ Graduates of Chinese universities now have now taken the lead in earning American PhDs. According to the National Science Foundation, Tsinghua and Peking Universities have moved ahead of the University of California Berkeley as the top sources of students who go on to earn doctorates at American universities. Seoul National University in South Korea is third. Cornell University now is fourth and Berkeley has dropped to fifth.
+ Over the next 10 years, the need for people with technological skills in this country is going to grow not by 30 percent, but 50 percent. That's according to a report recently released by the U.S. Department of Labor.
+ More than three-quarters of our middle school children in this country are taught math and science by teachers who have never graduated with a math degree or have never been certified in math teaching.
+ Studies also have shown that over the next 10 years, we will need two million more K-12 teachers in this country; and in addition, we will need a quarter of a million math and science teachers in the next two years.
+ Nearly 80 million baby boomers are going to leave the workplace in the next few years at a time when more than 40 percent of the American teacher corps are 50 years or older. This underscores the importance of creating a new generation of teachers who have a background in math and science. (Patricia Sullivan, Education Solutions Executive, IBM)
+ The high-profile push by American business groups to double the number of U.S. bachelor's degrees awarded in science, math and engineering by 2015 is falling behind its target. According to a report by the Business Roundtable this summer, 15 prominent American business groups had warned in 2005 that a lack of expert workers and teachers posed a threat to U.S. competitiveness and said the country would need 400,000 new graduates in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields by 2015. In an update published July 15, the group reported the number of degrees in those fields rose slightly during the early part of the decade, citing figures from the years after 2001 that have become available since the first report was published. But the number of degrees has since flattened out to around 225,000 a year, short of the goal.
+ Elementary school teachers are poorly prepared by education schools to teach math -- according to study released June 25 by the National Council on Teacher Quality. The study by the non-partisan research and advocacy group came a few months after a federal math panel reported that U.S. students have widespread difficulty with fractions, a problem that arises in elementary school and prevents kids from mastering more complicated subjects like algebra later on. The NCTQ study looked at 77 elementary education programs at colleges and universities around the country and found the programs spend too little time on elementary math topics.
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 Dear Friends:
By any measure, this has been a phenomenally successful first year for the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI). We have rolled out our first round of grants and now have Advanced Placement* Training and Incentive programs operating in six states and replications of the UTeach program for math and science teachers in 13 universities. Our programs now reach American students coast to coast.
The year ahead promises to be even more exciting:
*67 schools will have AP Incentive Programs this fall. When compared to other schools in their respective states, 59 of those 67 schools have a higher percentage of students that are either minorities or economically disadvantaged. The needs in these schools are significant - the historical average passing rates for AP math, science, and English tests are significantly lower than the national average - 85 passing exams per 1000 students vs. 99 passing exams per 1000 students nationally.
*We are projecting dramatic improvements in these schools. We anticipate that AP enrollment in the 67 schools will increase at least 60% in the first year alone. We also expect that the number of students passing math, science, and English AP Exams will increase 85.5%, which is approximately 6 times the national historical average.
*And looking further ahead, we project adding another 491 schools over the next 4 years.
*At the same time, we anticipate that the UTeach program will be replicated in as many as 50 universities, boosting dramatically the number of highly qualified math and science teachers in our country. This fall, some 500 students will be enrolled in UTeach programs, which could provide a significant new infusion of teachers who have content knowledge and certification.
Moderator Bob Schieffer with panelists Sally Ride, Craig Barrett and Wayne Clough
In April we partnered with the National Academies in hosting the "Rising Above the Gathering Storm - Two Years Later" convocation in Washington, D.C. to assess what has been accomplished since the landmark "Rising Above the Gathering Storm" report warned that our country is falling behind in math and science achievement. The strong lineup of speakers included three cabinet secretaries, two senators and five members of Congress as well as Intel chair Craig Barrett, former astronaut Sally Ride, and Georgia Tech President Wayne Clough, soon to be the Secretary of the Smithsonian. The clear consensus was that Congress is beginning to recognize the hurdles we face to keep America competitive - but there is much work to do and more funding needed.
We expected 350 people might attend the convocation - more than 550 showed up and even more wanted to register. It is clear that there is a growing interest in math and science education.
When UTeach held its conference May 20 on the UT Austin campus, the response was equally enthusiastic. An additional 25 universities that are interested in replicating the program to train math and science teachers sent representatives to learn more about the program and compare notes with the current 13 replication universities.
In the months ahead, NMSI will be moving forward with all possible speed to expand our programs and create new partnerships that will multiply that success.
Thank you for your interest and support - we will keep you advised as we go forward with this vitally important effort to improve our nation's math and science achievement. By working together, we can ensure that America remains a world leader in innovation and that future generations can succeed in the challenging jobs of tomorrow.
Tom Luce
CEO
NMSI
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JULY 22, 2008
"Stronger Math & Science Education Key to Boosting U.S. Competitiveness"Congress Should Build on Its Commitment to Math & Science by Fully Funding America COMPETES Act
"This truly is a "Paul Revere Moment" for our country - we must spread the alarm that our country is falling behind in math and science achievement and we must get moving with all possible speed to shore up our system...Math and science are the new foundational literacy for everyone."
-NMSI CEO Tom Luce
On Tuesday, July 22, NMSI CEO Tom Luce and ExxonMobil  Teachers Academy Founder Phil Mickelson met with U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings to support the work of the Mickelson Teachers' Academy in providing enhanced training for math and science teachers. They also testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor in order to re-emphasize the need for a Congressional commitment to math and science education. U.S. Rep. George Miller, the Education and Labor Committee Chairman, presided over the hearing on "Innovation in Education through Business and Stem Partnerships."
Appearing before the committee with Messrs. Luce and Mickelson were the following distinguished panelists: * Melendy Lovett - Senior Vice President & President of Education Technology, Texas Instruments * Brian H. Wells - Chief Systems Engineer of Raytheon * Dr. Ramona Chang - Director of Curriculum for the Torrance Unified School District in California * Dr. Sally Ride - former NASA astronaut and 1st American woman in space *Dr. Carlo Parravano - Merck Institute for Science Education
*Patty Sullivan - IBM Education Solutions Executive, IBM Corporation Mr. Luce told the committee members, "We're here to say that if the federal government will increase its investment in math and science, the private sector is ready to match you." A former Assistant Secretary of Education, Mr. Luce warned the committee, "This truly is a 'Paul Revere Moment' for our country - we must spread the alarm that our country is falling behind in math and science achievement and we must shore up our system. Just this week, two universities in China moved ahead of American universities in graduating students who earn PhDs in the United States, moving past Berkeley." The answer to the growing math and science crisis is not to create more pilot programs, Mr. Luce told the committee. "We have already lighted a million pilot programs in this country, but we have not ignited the central heating system," he said. He pointed out to the committee that  Advanced Placement Training and Incentive programs have proven highly successful in increasing the number of students taking rigorous math and science classes and are already being implemented in six states by NMSI. He said the UTeach program is drawing more math and science majors into teaching and is being replicated at 13 universities. The answer, he said, is a "simple but proven concept - we must take programs like these to a national scale and get the job done." In a time of scarce resources, he emphasized, Congress could leverage its support of such programs, because the private sector "is prepared to step up and match that support." The consensus of the panel was that improving the teaching and learning of math and science in U.S. schools is vital to maintaining America's global leadership. Mr. Mickelson pointed out that during the last three years, only 15 percent of the college graduates in the U.S. were focused on math and science, compared to 67 percent in Singapore and 50 percent in China. He explained how he uses math and science every day to maximize his practice efforts and improve his performance, explaining, "The dimples on the ball are like the wings on an airplane. Science helps you understand the aerodynamics of the ball." He said the academy he and his wife Amy launched helps teachers find creative ways to teach math and science with "hands-on demonstrations and exercises." Dr. Chang, who is one of 600 teachers selected from across the country for the Mickelson teaching academy, said, "If our students are to become our future engineers, computer scientists, mathematicians, and environmentalists, we need to change the way we approach the teaching of math and science. Academy teachers have been taught how to plan creatively, teach constructively, and reflect objectively. These skills rank in the proverbial 'priceless' category for educators." Ms. Lovett also championed improved training for teachers in order to make math and science classes as "popular as recess." And she underscored that other countries are putting math and science at the top of their priorities to "fuel their economies." In 2007, she pointed out, one-half of the advanced degrees and 70 percent of the electrical engineering degrees in the U.S. were awarded to foreign nationals. Testimony photos by John Harrington
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TOP TEACHERS COME TO DALLAS TO TRAIN FOR AP CLASSES
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Top teachers from 67 schools gathered in Dallas Aug. 6-8 for special training that will help them oversee the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program (APTIP) in math, science and English during the coming school year. The APTIP is a program of the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), which is sponsored by ExxonMobil. The 133 "lead teachers" went to school themselves before the fall semester begins in order to master techniques that will help them prep Advanced Placement teachers in their schools and conduct vertical team meetings.
 The selected lead teachers not only instruct AP classes themselves, but also direct the AP teachers in schools that have received grants from the NMSI. Six states have been selected for NMSI grants so far - Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Kentucky, Massachusetts and Virginia.
"These are the coaches for the AP teaching teams and they are among the best in the country," said Gregg Fleisher, the Director of AP Training and Incentive Programs for NMSI. "All these lead teachers have been recognized as outstanding. They are absolutely essential to sparking the kind of excellence and helping the schools reach the ambitious goals that make the APTIP so successful."
The special training sessions were held at the Doubletree Hotel and the offices of AP Strategies, which originally developed the concept of providing special training and incentives to reinforce and multiply the success of the rigorous coursework.
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UTEACH CAMPUSES AROUND THE COUNTRY GEARING UP FOR FALL SEMESTER
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 Teams from all 13 universities implementing UTeach were among the more than 200 attendees at this summer's NMSI - UTeach Institute Annual Conference held May 19 - 23 at the University of Texas at Austin campus. University faculty, administrators, advisors, and staff gathered to learn about UTeach program operations and courses in preparation for this fall's implementation of UTeach programs across the country. Just six months after receiving NMSI funding, these universities have achieved impressive early successes in garnering support at multiple levels for their new UTeach programs. RECRUITMENT:
Recruitment has exceeded expectations at a number of institutions:
Louisiana State University has extensive recruiting materials beyond the usual brochures and flyers- including the ever popular 'Geaux Teach Mood Pencils.' The Geaux Teach program is on target for one section of Step 1 (the first course) this fall.
Florida State University is on target to possibly exceed their enrollment goal of 26-58 students. They have enrolled 48 already and are expecting up to 60.
The University of Colorado at Boulder will meet or exceed their upper end of enrollment targets. They are on track to have at least 50 students and will likely add another section.
Temple University has 30 students enrolled in the first course, along with a waitlist of 10 and growing, the University of Houston has opened a third section of the first course, the University of Florida has opened a second section of the first course, and The University of Kansas already has 58 students enrolled in the first course.
The University of California at Irvine has hired two dedicated recruiting and advising staff to attract, support, and retain new students in UCI Cal Teach.
The University of California at Berkeley has hired a dedicated student advisor who is active in recruiting and supporting students in Cal Teach Berkeley. One of Berkeley's two sections of the first course for Fall 2008 is already full and has a waitlist, so they are considering opening a third. GROWING ROOM:
University leadership has expressed commitment to the program through dedicated space:
The University of North Texas' new program will be housed permanently in a highly visible atrium suite just off the new Life Science Complex, which is currently under construction. Plans for the suite include a reception area, six offices, lab prep areas, teaching labs, study areas, and an undergraduate research area.
STEERING COMMITTEE:
Steering committees have convened to direct UTeach program development:
The University of Kansas Steering Committee is extensive and organized. They have several subcommittees that meet regularly, along with the entire committee. They've invited the UTeach Institute to call in via conference call.
The University of North Texas Steering Committee meets biweekly and uses status reports that are generally 10-15 pages long and color-coded for action, along the lines of the Homeland Security Administration threat levels.
Western Kentucky University has a large and active steering committee, which is organized by five subcommittees (recruitment, curriculum, assessment, school relations, and student welfare). Almost all members of the steering committee have K-12 experience. Louisiana State University also has a well established and extensive steering committee that meets regularly and spans all aspects of the Geaux Teach program.
DEVELOPMENT:
University development offices have risen to the challenge to provide sustained funding for UTeach:
Northern Arizona University, the University of Florida and Florida State University have already raised $1 million each (and therefore will qualify for the entire NMSI match) from the Helios Foundation.
The University of North Texas, The University of Texas at Dallas, Western Kentucky University and Temple University have all gotten off to a quick start, with commitments to endowment funds already secured.
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 Barbara Jo Goergen - more popularly known as "BJ" - is the new Chief of Staff at NMSI, supervising day-to-day activities of the organization. She comes to NMSI after seven years in the federal government, where she most recently served as Director of Private Sector Outreach for Public Diplomacy in the U.S. Department of State. In that role, she served as a senior advisor to the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and supervised all partnerships with corporations, foundations, NGOs and private citizens. Those efforts included managing the South Asia Earthquake Relief Effort and the creation of the FORTUNE/State Department International Women Leaders Mentoring Program. Ms. Goergen previously served in the White House as Associate Director of Public Liaison and Executive Assistant to the Senior Advisor to the President. Before that, she was Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and a Special Assistant in the Office of Homeland Security at the White House. She is a graduate of Baylor University, where she majored in journalism and public relations.  Veteran educator Carol Leibl has joined NMSI as Director of Science Programs. Carol has 27 years of teaching experience, most of it spent at James Madison High School in San Antonio, Texas. Her educational career has included many awards, including the Christa McAuliffe Fellowship Award, Texas Biology Teacher of the Year, Siemens Award for Excellence in Teaching, and NABT Teacher of the Year for Texas.
She has been a College Board consultant since 1985 and has been a reader for the AP Biology Exam. In this capacity, Carol has led numerous summer institutes as well as one and two-day workshops. In addition, Carol founded and directed the James Madison Technology Institute and the UTSA Advanced Placement Institute.
Pat Sherbert brings a wide range of teaching experience to her new role as the Director of English Programs at NMSI. Most recently she served as a curriculum specialist for Tulsa Public Schools, where she was responsible for the content, review and training of all secondary required courses. She previously served as Advanced Placement Coordinator for Broken Arrow Public Schools and has been a consultant for The College Board Advanced Placement program since 1990. She also served as an Educational Testing Services consultant for Advanced Placement from 1991-2007 and has helped Advanced Placement Strategies with its "Laying the Foundations" training since 1997. She has helped review and write numerous publications on reading and writing and collaborated with the "Teaching Shakespeare Institutes" presented by the Folger Shakespeare Library and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Her numerous awards include Leadership Recognition for the College Board's Southwest Region, the Golden Apple Award and the Broken Arrow Teacher of the Year.
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Aug. 21 - Sep. 5, 2008 - Back-to-School APTIP Events:
-Aug. 21 - Montgomery County, Alabama
-Aug. 28 - Jefferson County, Alabama
-Sep. 3 - New London, Connecticut
-Sep. 3 - Waterbury, Connecticut
-Sep. 4/5 - Massachusetts
Sep. 16 - Kickoff of New Orleans pre-APTIP
Oct. 8, 2008 - National Youth Science Day - launch of NMSI "You Tube" FILMS Competition and Parents' Guide to Math and Science
May 27-29, 2009 - UTeach Conference, Austin, Texas (www.meetattexas.com)
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AP TRAINING AND INCENTIVE PROGRAM GRANTEES
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Alabama
A+ College Ready
Arkansas
Arkansas Advanced Initiative for Math and Science
Connecticut
Project Opening Doors
Kentucky
Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation
Massachusetts
Mass Insight Education
Virginia
Virginia Advanced Studies Strategies
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Arizona
Northern Arizona University
California
University of California at Berkeley
University of California at Irvine
Colorado
University of Colorado at Boulder
Florida
Florida State University
University of Florida
Kansas
University of Kansas
Kentucky
Western Kentucky University
Louisiana
Louisiana State University
Pennsylvania
Temple University
Texas
University of Houston
University of North Texas
University of Texas at Dallas
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To advance math and science education in the United States by expanding programs with proven results on a national scale in order to have a positive impact on America's 50 million student public school system.
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*AP and Advanced Placement Program are registered trademarks of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.
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