More than 25,000 Students to Benefit from ExxonMobil Foundation Grant
Teach For America receives $500,000 to help recruit and train math and science teachers
- Grant will benefit school districts in Dallas, Houston, Southern Louisiana and Washington, D.C.
- Approximately 400 new math and science teachers to be trained
- Teachers will serve in predominately low-income communities
IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ExxonMobil Foundation announced a $500,000 grant to Teach For America to help improve math and science education for more than 25,000 students from low-income communities in Dallas, Houston, South Louisiana and Washington, D.C.
The grant will enable Teach For America to recruit approximately 400 new math and science teachers from top colleges and provide intensive training and career development to enhance high-quality classroom instruction. These teachers will work in urban and rural school districts with significant numbers of students from low-income backgrounds.
“We are committed to increasing the number of students who are prepared to compete in today’s global economy,” said Suzanne McCarron, president of the ExxonMobil Foundation. “Teach For America teachers make a significant impact by building core competencies in math and science, which are so critical for our youth.”
According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, even though math achievement scores are improving, the gap between low- and high-income students has remained nearly constant during the past decade. The ExxonMobil Foundation grant extends a 17-year partnership with Teach For America and enables improved education for students from low-income families.
“The students of today are the scientists and engineers of tomorrow, and they look to committed and knowledgeable teachers to lead the way,” said Wendy Kopp, founder and chief executive officer of Teach For America. “ExxonMobil’s partnership over the years has been essential to our work to bring more of these teachers to our nation’s urban and rural classrooms, and to develop the leadership of Teach For America alumni in the effort to improve math and science education.”
The Teach For America grant is part of a long-term commitment to education by ExxonMobil and the ExxonMobil Foundation, including programs that support the professional development of highly qualified teachers, encourage students to take an active interest in careers in the math and science fields and promote involvement of women and minorities.
About ExxonMobil Foundation
ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of the Exxon Mobil Corporation 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, promote women as catalysts for economic development, and combat malaria and other infectious diseases in developing countries. In 2010, together with its employees and retirees, Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), its divisions and affiliates, and ExxonMobil Foundation provided $237 million in contributions worldwide, of which $110 million was dedicated to education. Additional information on ExxonMobil’s community partnerships and contributions programs is available at www.exxonmobil.com/community.
About Teach For America
Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates who commit to teach for two years in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in expanding educational opportunity. Today, 9,000 corps members are teaching in 43 regions across the country, while nearly 24,000 Teach For America alumni continue working from inside and outside the field of education for the fundamental changes necessary to ensure educational excellence and equity. For more information, visit http://www.teachforamerica.org.
ExxonMobil
Media Advisor, 972-444-1107
Source: Exxon Mobil Corporation
Released February 15, 2012