Seven States Awarded First-Ever National Math and Science Initiative Grants for AP and Pre-AP Courses
ExxonMobil is Key Funder of Organization to Foster Next Generation of Scientists and Engineers
IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Following a highly-competitive application process, the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), a major new non-profit designed to help America maintain its global leadership position in technological innovation, today awarded its first round of grants for Advanced Placement training and incentive programs.
Non-profit entities in seven states will receive the first grants of NMSI. Today the grant to Virginia is being announced and in the days ahead, grants in six additional states will be announced. These grants, each providing up to $13.2 million over the next six years, will help fund training and incentive programs for AP(R) and Pre-AP(R) courses. Research demonstrates that students who have access to strong AP(R) programs are more prepared to do college level work in math, science, and engineering.
"ExxonMobil invests in people and communities around the world because we believe that meeting the world's economic, energy and environmental challenges requires the development of the world's most powerful natural resource - the human mind," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Exxon Mobil Corporation Rex Tillerson. "By focusing on programs that are proven to be effective, NMSI holds great promise in fostering the next generation of scientists and engineers."
Launched in March 2007, NMSI was developed 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. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) announced its support for the initiative with a commitment of $125 million.
In addition to the AP(R) grants, NMSI will offer funding opportunities to many universities across the nation for UTeach programs, which encourage math and science majors to pursue teaching credentials during their undergraduate education. Recipients of the UTeach grants will be announced in October of this year. Non-profit entities in twenty-eight states applied for this first round of AP(R) grants, and 52 universities have applied for the UTeach program.
"The response NMSI has received from across the country has been remarkable," said Tom Luce, President and CEO of NMSI. "Their interest in our approach tells me they believe in the potential of NMSI and are eager to improve math and science performance."
The AP(R) grants announced today include extensive training of teachers, identification and cultivation of lead teachers, additional time on task for students, and financial incentives based on academic results. Over five years, schools with training and incentive programs for AP(R) and pre-AP(R) courses experienced four and five times more growth in students scoring three or higher on AP(R) exams in math and science, respectively, than those Texas schools without the program.
About Exxon Mobil Corporation
Exxon Mobil Corporation is a leading international energy company whose subsidiaries have operations in approximately 150 countries and territories. In the United States, ExxonMobil has significant exploration and production, refining and marketing and chemicals operations. ExxonMobil is one of the largest oil and gas producers and reserve holders in the United States, with a portfolio including Alaska, onshore Gulf Coast and deepwater Gulf of Mexico. In addition, there are approximately 16,000 Exxon and Mobil branded service stations in the U.S., as well as seven refineries, four of which are integrated petrochemical facilities. For more information about ExxonMobil, please visit the company's website at www.exxonmobil.com.
About the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI)
NMSI is an innovative non-profit organization created to scale programs proven to positively impact math and science education in the U.S. For more information about NMSI, please visit their website at www.nationalmathandscience.org.
Source: Exxon Mobil Corporation
Released August 29, 2007