Nearly 50 Additional Schools To Benefit From College Readiness Program Through Federal Grant

DALLAS, June 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Thanks to a nearly $20 million Scale-up grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Investing in Innovation (i3) 2015 grant competition, the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI)'s proven College Readiness Program (CRP) will reach 60,000 additional students at 42 schools serving a high proportion of underserved students. Most schools benefiting from this support will launch CRP this fall with an additional cohort starting in the 2017-18 school year. CRP dramatically increases the number of students taking and earning qualifying scores on Advanced Placement® (AP®) math, science and English exams, while expanding access to rigorous coursework to traditionally underrepresented students.

"NMSI's College Readiness Program doesn't just help students make it to college and the workplace, it ensures they succeed once they get there," said Matthew Randazzo, NMSI CEO. "The teachers, students and administrators at these schools are the best partners we could ask for in this important work."

The selection of schools follows a November 2015 announcement of the nine urban and rural districts across eight states partnering with NMSI to bring CRP to students and teachers. Districts were selected specifically for their concentration of high-need students, science and engineering-based economies and known opportunity gaps.

Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) Superintendent Antwan Wilson highlighted the importance of the program, which will expand to three OUSD high schools. "Providing students with the skills they need to succeed after graduation is our top priority in Oakland Unified School District," he said. "[Building] a foundation of academic supports is crucial to making our students' dreams of college, career and community success a reality."

By partnering with existing schools and educators, CRP empowers school communities through a comprehensive model that provides extensive training for teachers, more time on task for students, equipment and supplies to support rigorous STEM curricula, and achievement-based awards. In just one year, the program boosts the number of AP qualifying scores in math, science and English in partner schools by ten times the national average. Among African-American and Hispanic students participating in the program, the increase in qualifying scores is more than six times the national average, and for female students, ten times the national average.

This fall, CRP will have expanded to more than 800 schools across 34 states from coast to coast.

"This program will be extremely beneficial in our efforts to build a solid foundation in middle school years and better prepare our scholars for the rigor of AP courses and the future demands of college curriculum," said Mary Ellen Carras, Cleveland Metropolitan School District curriculum and instruction manager for secondary gifted education, AP and college and career readiness.

Participating i3 schools include:

• Atlanta Public Schools (GA): Booker T. High School, Maynard Jackson High School, North Atlanta and Grady High School
• Bismarck Public Schools (ND): Bismarck High School, Century High School and Legacy High School
• Cleveland Metropolitan School District (OH): Architecture & Design High School, Cleveland School of Science and Medicine, Garrett Morgan High School, James Ford Rhodes High School, John Hayes Early College, John Marshall School of Computer Science, Max Hayes High School and Whitney Young High School
• Detroit City School District (MI): Cass Technical High School, Renaissance High School and Western International High School
• Houston Independent School District (TX): Austin High School, Houston Academy International Studies, Milby High School, North Houston Early College High School, Sam Houston Math and Science High School, Scarborough High School, Sharpstown International High School and Waltrip High School
• Noble Network of Charter Schools (IL): Golder College Prep, ITW David Speer Academy, Johnson College Prep, Noble Street College Prep and Rauner College Prep
• Oakland Unified School District (CA): Castlemont High School, Skyline High School and Oakland High School
• St. Louis Public Schools (MO): Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, Clyde Miller Career Academy, Collegiate School of Medicine, Metro Academic and Classical High School, McKinley High School and Soldan International Studies
• West Fargo Public Schools (ND): Sheyenne High School and West Fargo High School

About National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI)  
NMSI, a national nonprofit organization, breaks down barriers to access in education and prepares all students to graduate college and career ready. Launched in 2007, NMSI's programs improve student achievement and teacher effectiveness, particularly in math and science, through scalable solutions rooted in local partnerships. NMSI has received national recognition for programs benefiting school communities in 40 states and the District of Columbia including NMSI's College Readiness Program, Laying the Foundation Teacher Training Program, and UTeach Expansion Program. Learn more at www.nms.org.

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SOURCE National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI)

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