National Math + Science Initiative Named A Highest-Rated Applicant In U.S. Department Of Education i3 Scale-Up Grant Competition

DALLAS -- The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) was recently named among the 13 highest-rated applicants for the U.S. Department of Education's Investing in Innovation (i3) 2015 grant competition, from more than 400 applications. A nearly $20 million Scale-up grant, contingent upon the organization raising an additional $1 million in matching funds from the private sector, will enable NMSI to expand its proven College Readiness Program (CRP) to ten urban and rural school districts across eight states, serving a high proportion of underserved students. 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.
 
The i3 program aims to develop and expand practices that accelerate student achievement and prepare students to succeed in college and career. Scale-up grants are awarded only to those projects with the strongest possible evidence of improving student outcomes. NMSI received its first i3 award, a nearly $15 million "Validation grant," in 2011 to support regional expansion of the College Readiness Program in Colorado and Indiana and to further establish the program's effectiveness at increasing student achievement.
 
"NMSI's College Readiness Program has proven time and again that all students, regardless of background and zip code, can achieve at high levels when they have the proper encouragement, resources and support," said Matthew Randazzo, CEO of NMSI. "This Scale-up grant will enable us to broaden CRP's reach to 60,000 additional students, most of them from historically underserved populations, and help ensure that they have the knowledge and skills they need to thrive."
 
The 2015 i3 grant will allow NMSI to partner with 40 schools in geographies selected specifically for their concentration of high-need students, science and engineering-based economies and known opportunity gaps. District partners include: Atlanta Public Schools (GA); Cleveland Metropolitan School District (OH); Detroit City School District (MI); Houston Independent School District (TX); Noble Network of Charter Schools (IL); Oakland Unified School District (CA); St. Louis Public Schools (MO); and Bismarck Public Schools, Mandan Public School District and West Fargo Public Schools (ND).
 
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. To date, CRP has expanded to nearly 800 schools across 30 states from coast to coast.
 
About National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI)  
 NMSI, a nonprofit 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 grade 3-12 teachers and improving student performance through the rapid expansion of highly successful programs: NMSI's College Readiness Program, NMSI's Laying the Foundation Teacher Training Program, and NMSI's UTeach Expansion Program.  Inaugural funding for NMSI was provided by ExxonMobil, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation