NMSI Expands STEM Education Support for Educators and Students Across Arkansas and Oklahoma
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
The National Math and Science Initiative is expanding its work in Arkansas and Oklahoma to strengthen STEM education and increase opportunities for students to succeed in high-demand careers. Rooted in a shared commitment to improving outcomes in local communities, this multi-year effort is helping schools build the conditions for long-term student success.
Through this initiative, NMSI will deliver high-quality professional learning and ongoing support for educators, helping schools create sustainable systems that improve teaching and learning. These services are available to participating districts at significantly reduced cost, expanding access to high-quality STEM instruction for more schools and students across both states. A grant from the Walton Family Foundation supports the program’s expansion and increased access to the services.
Across Arkansas and Oklahoma, too many students lack access to the rigorous STEM education needed for future success. Recent data show that only 20% of eighth-grade students in Arkansas and 17% in Oklahoma are proficient in math, well below the national average.
At the same time, STEM careers are among the fastest-growing and highest-paying fields in the U.S., making it more important than ever to ensure students are prepared to succeed.
Driving lasting impact through school district partnership
NMSI’s approach combines educator development with deep district partnership, ensuring that improvements in teaching are supported by strong systems that can be sustained over time.
Through this initiative, NMSI works alongside district and school leaders to strengthen instructional systems, while providing teachers with targeted training and year-round, job-embedded coaching that translates directly into classroom practice. Together, this approach helps districts build the internal capacity needed to continue improving student outcomes long after the initial engagement.
Over the course of this effort, NMSI will:
Partner with at least 15 school districts across Arkansas and Oklahoma to embed effective instructional practices and align systems across schools
Train at least 1,470 educators, including teachers and school leaders through multi-day professional learning and ongoing coaching support
Support the development of sustainable STEM programs that can scale across districts
This work is designed to create measurable, lasting improvements in both teaching and learning. By 2028, NMSI expects that:
80% of participating educators will demonstrate improved knowledge and skills
70% of participating schools will show gains in student achievement
Schools will see increased success in math and science coursework, as well as improved performance on assessments and AP exams
A central focus of the work is building toward long-term sustainability—supporting districts in expanding partnerships, increasing local investment, and reducing reliance on external supports as capacity grows.
“Teachers are the most important in-school factor influencing student achievement,” said NMSI CEO, Jeremy Anderson. “By pairing high-quality professional learning with strong district systems, we can help schools create lasting change that benefits every student.”
Reaching students and strengthening opportunity
Through this work, NMSI is expected to impact more than 123,000 students across Arkansas and Oklahoma.
In addition to improving academic outcomes, the initiative focuses on strengthening students’ confidence and interest in STEM, helping more students see themselves as future scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers.
NMSI’s model is designed to ensure that students—especially those furthest from opportunity—gain access to rigorous coursework and the support needed to succeed. Nationally, students served by NMSI enroll in postsecondary institutions at higher rates and earn STEM degrees at twice the national average.
Seeking district partners for 2027–2028 and beyond
NMSI is currently seeking additional district partners in Arkansas and Oklahoma for the 2027–2028 school year and beyond. District leaders interested in partnering with NMSI to strengthen STEM instruction and expand opportunities for students are encouraged to connect with: Jennifer McDonnell, Director, Business Development, jmcdonnell@nms.org
About NMSI
The National Math and Science Initiative is a national nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to high-quality STEM education through partnerships with school districts across the country. Through research-based programs and high-impact professional development, NMSI equips teachers and school leaders to strengthen instruction and improve student outcomes. Since 2007, NMSI has trained more than 74,000 educators in nearly 2,000 schools, reaching more than 3 million students nationwide.
About the Walton Family Foundation
The Walton Family Foundation is at its core, a family-led foundation. Three generations of the descendants of our founders, Sam and Helen Walton, and their spouses, work together to lead the foundation and create access to opportunity for people and communities. We work in three areas: improving education, protecting rivers and oceans and the communities they support, and investing in our home region of Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta. To learn more, visit waltonfamilyfoundation.org .