The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), a major new program designed to help America regain its global leadership position in technological innovation, was launched today by ExxonMobil and leaders in America's education community.
The creation of NMSI comes in response to the call for action by the National Academies' 2005 blue ribbon panel report, Rising Above the Gathering Storm. According to the panel of 20 experts, improving American students' performance in math and science coursework is the most effective way to increase the United States' global competitiveness. ExxonMobil Foundation announced its support for the initiative with a commitment of $125 million.
"The National Academies set forth a clear path for the nation to improve math and science education for our country's youth and it is now time for us to act," said Tom Luce, CEO of the National Math and Science Initiative and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development. "NMSI will broadly implement two proven programs in states across the nation in an effort to support the next generation of innovators."
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Exxon Mobil Corporation Rex Tillerson joined with Tom Luce and other leaders in the education and business community to announce this new organization.
"Meeting the world's energy requirements and environmental challenges demands that we have a steady supply of well-skilled engineers and scientists," said Tillerson. "For many years, ExxonMobil has been greatly concerned about the erosion of the number of students coming out of American schools who are qualified and interested in careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and we are confident that NMSI will help to reverse these trends."
NMSI aims to scale-up two proven programs: training and incentive programs for AP® and pre-AP® courses and UTeach. The training and incentive programs include extensive training of teachers, identification and cultivation of lead teachers, additional time on task for students, and financial incentives based on academic results. UTeach is a program that encourages math and science majors to enter the teaching profession by offering an integrated degree plan, financial assistance, and early teaching experiences for undergraduates.
Both programs have demonstrated considerable success, the training and incentive programs in more than 60 Texas schools and UTeach at its founding site at the University of Texas at Austin. Over five years, schools with training and incentive programs for AP and pre-AP courses experienced three and four times more growth in students scoring 3 or higher on AP exams in math and science, respectively, than those Texas schools without the program. UTeach has doubled the number of UT-Austin students graduating with math and science teacher certification, and of their graduates who entered teaching four years ago, more than 80% are still teaching, compared with 60% four-year retention nationally.
NMSI is a non-profit entity created to raise funds for the improvement of math and science education in the U.S. The initiative is being launched with the support of ExxonMobil, and expects to receive additional support from other corporations and foundations.
The NMSI Board of Directors includes:
* Bruce Alberts, former President of the National Academy of Sciences
* Norm Augustine, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Lockheed Martin Corporation
* Gov. Gaston Caperton, President, the College Board
* Steven Chu, Director, E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
* Edward Copley, President and CEO, O'Donnell Foundation
* Roger Enrico, Chairman, DreamWorks Animation SKG and former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, PepsiCo
* Peter Flawn, President Emeritus, University of Texas
* Bernard Harris, Jr., MD, President and Founder, The Harris Foundation, Inc.
* Thomas W. Luce III, President and CEO, National Math and Science Initiative, Inc., former Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Education
* Peter O'Donnell, Chairman, O'Donnell Foundation
* Art Ryan, Chairman, CEO, and President, Prudential Financial, Inc.
* Beverly Daniel Tatum, President, Spelman College
* Roy Vagelos, former Chairman and CEO, Merck & Co., Inc.
* Charles Vest, President Emeritus, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
About the NMSI Grant Selection Process
NMSI plans to award grants in up to 10 states for training and incentive programs for AP® and pre-AP® courses and up to 10 colleges and universities for the replication of UTeach in fall 2007. Over the next five years, NMSI plans to make additional awards for the expansion of both programs. NMSI is now receiving applications, and additional information on the application process is available at NMSI's website, www.nationalmathandscience.org.
About ExxonMobil Foundation
ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of the Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM - News) in the United States. The Foundation and the Corporation engage in a range of philanthropic activities that advance education, health and science in the communities where ExxonMobil has significant operations. In the United States, ExxonMobil supports initiatives to improve math and science education at the K-12 and higher education levels. Globally, ExxonMobil provides funding to improve basic education and combat malaria and other infectious diseases in developing countries. In 2006, Exxon Mobil Corporation, its divisions and affiliates, and ExxonMobil Foundation provided $139 million in contributions worldwide, with $54 million dedicated to education. Additional information on ExxonMobil's community partnerships and contributions programs is available at http://www.exxonmobil.com/community.
Contact:
ExxonMobil
Dave Gardner, 972-444-1107
Source: ExxonMobil Corporation
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