National Math and Science Initiative Increases AP Performance in STEM Fields

Exxon, supported by the Gates and Dell Foundations, created the National Math and Science Initiative in 2007, with the aim to positively affect math and science education in the US and ultimately to increase the number of qualified STEM workers.  One area of that initiative has been to provide intensive training and incentives to teachers of advanced placement courses in the STEM fields.  As recently reported in Roll Call, the efforts have resulted in a 135% increase in the number of students passing AP courses in math and science over the last three years, reaching students in 19 states and 462 schools.  http://www.rollcall.com/news/regaining_our_lead_in_stem_education_commentary-224672-1.html?pos=oopih .

Google Awards $5M to Increase Under-Represented Student Participation in AP STEM Courses

Erik Robelen reports in the Education Week "Curriculum Matters" blog that Google has donated $5 million to the College Board and DonorsChoose.org to work with 800 high schools to be chosen to increase female and ethnic minority students' participation in AP STEM courses.  They will work directly with teachers to get the schools qualified and to obtain the materials and equipment necessary to launch the courses.  The schools will be chosen based upon target student populations and their performance on the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.  One of the other Google Global Impact Awards granted will also provide $1.8 million to Equal Opportunity Schools to help qualified students to move on to more advanced coursework.  Education Week Curriculum Matters - AP STEM Courses .