ASSET Inc. to Receive a $22.3 Million Federal Education Grant to Promote STEM Education in Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- ASSET Inc. (Achieving Student Success through Excellence in Teaching) has been selected to receive a $22.3 million U.S. Department of Education grant to improve science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh-based nonprofit was one of 49 school districts, universities and nonprofits to be selected. Nearly 1,700 entries were received in the national Investing in Innovation (i3) grant competition.

ASSET will use the i3 grant to establish Regional Professional Development Centers and satellite sites across the state, expanding the reach of ASSET's hands-on, inquiry-based science and math training and materials for teachers and students.

The project also includes a fully subsidized advanced professional development program targeting high-needs and rural schools, building on the state's Science: It's Elementary initiative -- a program designed and managed by ASSET in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

ASSET must now work to secure private sector funds worth 20 percent of the award, a condition all grantees must meet by Sept. 8 in order to receive an i3 grant.

"Our selection among the winning three percent of entries is a solid reaffirmation of the significant student achievement results and growth of ASSET locally, regionally and statewide. Through this grant, ASSET has the potential to impact a total 224,000 students," said Dr. Helen Sobehart, executive director of ASSET Inc.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to introduce ASSET's cutting-edge professional development and classroom materials to many more Pennsylvania teachers through the establishment of statewide Professional Development Centers. This is especially important to teachers and students in high-need and rural schools, one of the most important benefits of the grant," added Dr. Sobehart.

More than 300 reviewers were involved in the selection process with i3 grants awarded in three categories. ASSET was one of 15 nationwide and one of two in Pennsylvania to receive a "validation" award of up to $30 million. Four others received "scale-up" awards worth up to $50 million each while 30 won "development" grants of up to $5 million.

Corporations, foundations, organizations and individuals interested in supporting ASSET's match should contact Karen Ahearn, Director of Communications/Resource Development at [email protected], 412-481-7320 ext. 203 or 412-616-9790 (mobile).  Information on ASSET's i3 application may be viewed at http://data.ed.gov/grants/investing-in-innovation/applicant/15864.

About ASSET Inc.

Established in 1994 by Bayer Corporation and several community partners, ASSET Inc. is an education improvement nonprofit dedicated to continuously improving teaching and learning. ASSET supports school districts in implementing a standards-based science and math education program through teacher professional development aligned with hands-on curriculum materials for grades K-8. In partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, ASSET also designs and manages the Science: It's Elementary initiative. In 2009, an independent evaluation found that ASSET member schools scored statistically significantly higher than their peers in demographically similar comparison schools on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessments in science and significantly higher in reading and math. ASSET currently impacts 180 school districts, 5,000 teachers and 142,000 students. For more information, visit www.assetinc.org.

SOURCE ASSET Inc.