National Math and Science Initiative Turning the Tide in U.S. Math and Science Education
Third-year AP results demonstrate major gains in student math and science achievement; Congressional briefing set
DALLAS – With the release today of third-year results from its Advanced Placement* Training and Incentive Program (APTIP), the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) has demonstrated continued success in substantially improving student achievement across the country in rigorous, college-level math and science coursework.
The results, announced at noon today at the Massachusetts State House in Boston, confirm NMSI is increasing college access for more American students, which is critical to address the skills gap in today’s workforce in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Schools participating in the NMSI-supported AP program the last three years have recorded triple-digit increases in the number of qualifying scores based on newly released College Board data:
- 124 percent increase in passing exams in AP math, science and English among all students, compared to a 23 percent increase nationally over the same period of time;
- A 216 percent increase in passing exams in AP math, science and English among African-American and Hispanic students, compared to 50 percent nationally;
- A 144 percent increase in passing exams in AP math and science among female students, compared to 20 percent nationally.
Research indicates that students passing AP courses in high school are much more likely to complete a college degree – and even those who do not pass benefit from the rigorous curriculum and are better prepared for college. Further, AP students are among the few American students comparing favorably with their counterparts in other countries in educational rankings.
“In today’s highly competitive, high-tech world, the next generation of leaders and innovators must have a mastery of science, technology, engineering and math,” said Mary Ann Rankin, CEO of NMSI. “This program is equipping our students to better compete on the global stage, which is essential to the future of our country.”
A Congressional briefing on the results, “Beating Expectations: Increasing Achievement in Math and Science for All Students,” will be held Thursday, Sept. 22 in the Senate Dirksen Office Building. Panelists will include Gregg Fleisher, national director of the AP Training and Incentive Program; Capt. Brad Cooper, executive director of Joining Forces, White House, Office of the First Lady; Rep. Spencer Bachus, D-Ala.; Tommie Sue Anthony, president of the Arkansas Advanced Initiative for Math and Science; and several students who are former participants in the AP Training and Incentive Program.
“There is no other formal program in the country that has produced these types of results this quickly. The continued gains in student achievement produced by APTIP underscore the power of replicating the program so more students across the country can benefit,” said Gregg Fleisher, NMSI’s national AP Training and Incentive Program director.
Fleisher added that the program has proven effective for all students in all types of schools and has helped to close the achievement gap in math and science education among traditionally underrepresented students, such as minorities and young women. “We are transforming education in order to improve college and career opportunities for all students,” he said.
“We have witnessed the remarkable results of NMSI’s program over the last three years,” said Trevor Packer, Senior Vice President [of AP and College Readiness] at the College Board. “The NMSI program aligns perfectly with our mission of expanding access to rigorous academic programs that foster critical thinking skills and prepare students for success in college and in life.”
NMSI, a non-profit organization, launched APTIP during the 2008-2009 school year in 67 public high schools. This fall, the NMSI program will be implemented in a record 310 public schools in six states (Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Kentucky, Massachusetts and Virginia).
In addition, NMSI is expanding the AP program – through the Initiative for Military Families (IMF) – to 34 high schools located near military bases in 12 states. This expansion will ensure that children in military families have access to a consistent, rigorous and high-quality AP math and science coursework. An online version of APTIP is also being implemented in South Dakota in partnership with the Learning Power non-profit education organization to serve students in largely rural areas. Learning Power has doubled the number of students taking and passing AP courses in participating schools.
As of September 2011, NMSI will also have trained more than 8,000 teachers as part of the enhanced professional development that is at the core of APTIP, which also includes on-going support from master teachers for AP teachers in the classroom.
NMSI Board Member Kenneth Cohen of ExxonMobil, a founding sponsor of NMSI, said, “This program goes a long way in ensuring students have the foundation and confidence to pursue math and science studies after graduating from high school. Ultimately, this will help our country develop more of the scientists and engineers it needs to address challenges related to healthcare, energy and the economy.”
View NMSI's 2011 APTIP Results Brochure.
About APTIP: APTIP dramatically increases the performance of high school students in rigorous AP courses in math, science and English. The comprehensive approach includes intensive teacher training, support from master teachers, increased time on task for students in special study sessions, open enrollment, and incentives for teachers and students. Passing AP exam scores are almost universally accepted for course credit by the nation’s colleges and universities, which see success in AP courses as reliable indicators of students’ subject-area knowledge and capacity for college-level thinking.
About NMSI: NMSI is an agent of change that was launched in 2007 by top leaders in business, education and science to improve student achievement in math and science across the American public school system. NMSI’s mission is to bring best practices to the education sector by replicating proven programs on a national scale that have more than 10 years of proven results.
NMSI has received major funding support for its ground-breaking national initiatives from Exxon Mobil Corporation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, with additional support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Lockheed Martin Corporation.
Contact:
Rena Pederson, NMSI communications director, at (214) 665-2523
rpederson@nationalmathandscience.org.
*AP and Advanced Placement Program are registered trademarks of the College Board.
8:17 AM CDT on 9.8.2011