DALLAS, TEXAS – May 2, 2008 –The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) is phasing out the $13.2 million grant that was previously awarded to Vancouver-based Mentoring Advanced Programs for Students (MAPS) after Washington State schools were unable to agree to contract terms for the grant.

Washington was among 28 states that applied last year for the NMSI grants, which have been shown to quadruple the number of students passing AP math exams and quintuple the number passing AP science exams. Seven states were awarded the grants to implement rigorous math/science programs.

The funds in the Washington grant were to have supported intensive teacher training and coaching, tutoring and preparation sessions for students, materials and equipment, and incentives for teachers and students. About 22% of the $13.2 million would have been spent on additional pay for teachers based on both participation and performance in the program.

The grant would have provided funding for up to five years for selected high schools across the state. Schools selected in the initial round of applications included: Evergreen and Union High Schools (Evergreen S.D., Vancouver), North Central and Ferris High Schools (Spokane S.D., Spokane), University High School (Central Valley S.D., Spokane) and Franklin and West Seattle High Schools (Seattle S.D., Seattle). The schools would have received an average of $114,000 each in the first year of the five year grant. Additional high schools would have been selected in subsequent years.

Tom Luce, CEO of NMSI stated, “The grants that we offer to state organizations for this program have very clear and specific elements that have proven essential for success. Experience has shown that these program elements will help students and teachers reach significantly higher achievement. We understand that some states or school districts may have policies that do not accommodate this grant model and we respect those local preferences -- this is a voluntary program. We remain open to working in a collaborative way with all districts interested in implementing this successful program. Our goal is to continue giving American students the math and science skills they need to succeed in today’s highly competitive world.”

The National Math and Science Initiative, a non-profit organization, was created in 2007 as a result of the blue-ribbon report by the National Academies, “Rising above the Gathering Storm,” which warned America’s competiveness is being threatened by a national decline in math and science achievement. NMSI’s mission is expanding programs with proven success in math and science education across the nation. The initial focus is on replicating two programs that each have 10 years of data proving they work: a training and incentive program for Advanced Placement* courses and UTeach, a program to recruit, prepare and retain qualified math, science and computer science teachers. NMSI is primarily funded by a $125 million grant from the Exxon Mobil Corporation, with major support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation. For more information about NMSI, please go to www.nationalmathandscience.org.


*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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