National Math and Science Initiative Announces $3.4 Million Grant from DoDEA to Expand AP Program in Georgia

DALLAS, May 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), a non-profit organization launched in 2007 to transform math and science education in the United States, announced today that its comprehensive Advanced Placement* (AP) program for military families is being expanded this fall to Georgia's Northside High School, Perry High School, Veterans High School, Houston County High School, Warner Robins High School, and Bradwell Institute near Warner Robins Air Force Base and Fort Stewart, thanks to a grant from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).

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"This innovative program serving military bases in the U.S. can open doors to college for more students by providing them with rigorous, project-based coursework to help them succeed in the competitive fields of science, technology, engineering, and math," said Sara Martinez Tucker, CEO of NMSI.  "The partnership with these high schools will help provide continuity and excellence to help make a huge impact on young students' lives."

A special event was held today to announce the expansion of NMSI's AP program to these six schools at the Governor's Office at the State Capitol. Attendees included Governor Nathan Deal, Georgia Department of Education, military representatives, and NMSI.

"STEM education plays a critical role in our state's competitiveness and future economic prosperity," said Georgia State Governor Nathan Deal. "This expansion of NMSI's AP Program in Georgia will help encourage more of our young people to pursue careers in these fields and build the content knowledge and skills of our STEM teaching workforce."

"We are thrilled to work with NMSI to boost STEM opportunities for the children of Georgia military families," said State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge. "We must do everything we can to tap into students' passions for science, technology, engineering and mathematics to ensure a strong future for Georgia's economy."

The addition of these high schools was made possible by a $3,411,078 grant from DoDEA, who has awarded nearly $17 million total in grant funds to NMSI for its AP program supporting military families. Enrollment in math, science, and English AP courses for these Georgia schools is expected to increase by 127 percent with qualifying scores in these courses expected to increase by 76.4 percent over the life of the grant.    

"The expansion of this program for students attending Georgia high schools opens a new level of opportunity and possibility for children of military families and their peers to excel in math and science," said Adrian B. Talley, DoDEA's Deputy Director.   "This investment in the AP program is truly transformational and innovative and raises the bar academically in our public schools.  The results are proven, consistent, and speak for themselves – in the schools that have been supported by DoDEA's NMSI AP grant funds, students have increased the number of qualifying AP scores by more than 60 percent."

About NMSI: NMSI, a non-profit organization, was launched in 2007 by top leaders in business, education, and science to transform education in the United States. NMSI has received national recognition for training K-12 teachers and improving student performance through the expansion of these programs: NMSI AP program, NMSI Teacher Training program, and UT Austin's UTeach program. Inaugural funding for NMSI, was provided by the Exxon Mobil Corporation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.  For more information, visit www.nms.org.

*Advanced Placement and AP are registered trademarks of the College Board.

Media Contact:  Mary Ortiz, 214-346-1245, [email protected]­­­­

SOURCE National Math and Science Initiative