Indiana schools, colleges partner to promote student achievement in math and science

$2.4 million in federal grants to support programs in 16 school corporations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Media Contacts:
Kelly L. Nelson, 812.345.1027, klinz@doe.in.gov
Sue Becker, 317.226.3527, BeckerS@ips.k12in.us
Jason Bearce, 317.232.6618, jbearce@doe.in.gov

Sixteen Indiana school corporations will share $2.4 million in federal funds designed to increase student achievement in math and science through partnerships with state colleges and universities.

“Studies show a clear link between student proficiency in math and science with later success in college and the workforce,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed. “These grants offer an important opportunity to help Indiana schools promote high achievement in these subjects.”

The Indiana Department of Education awarded the competitive two-year Mathematics and Science Partnership (MSP) Grants to schools whose proposals emphasized measurable results for student achievement through professional development that is classroom-focused and aligned with state academic standards for math and science. Each school corporation’s program is developed and implemented in partnership with a state college or university.

2008 Mathematics & Science Partnership Grants Awardees

• Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation, in partnership with University of Southern Indiana – Science Performance Improving through Reading and Learning (SPIRAL) – $273,672
   
• Indianapolis Public Schools, in partnership with Ball State University – Passport to Science – $565,142
   
• Lake Ridge School Corporation, in partnership with Charter School of the Dunes, Griffith Community Schools, Lake Station School Corporation, River Forest School Corporation, School City of East Chicago, School City of Hammond, Purdue University Calumet, the Northwest Indiana Education Service Center, the Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center, Indiana University Northwest, and I-STEM Resource Network – Integrating Science and Literacy: Achieving New Dimensions (ISLAND) – $409,524
   
• Michigan City Area Schools, in partnership with Purdue University North Central – Science for Life Long Learning and Leading (S4L) – $323,973.30
   
• Vigo County Schools, in partnership with Indiana University – Vigo County Mathematics Initiative Plus – $292,442
   
• White River Valley School District, in partnership with Eastern Greene Schools, Bloomfield Schools, Linton-Stockton Schools, MSD Shakamak Schools, Greene County Grant Professional Development Consortium, and Indiana University – Greene County Math Advancement Partnership Project (Greene MAPP) – $532,741

Local Success Story

Since the 2003-04 school year, the Indiana Department of Education has supported over 20 school corporations in developing innovative math and science partnerships through the federal MSP program. The Indianapolis Public Schools’ Passport to Science program serves as one example of a local partnership that has produced significant results.

IPS administrators credit Passport to Science as a driving force behind increased student achievement on state science assessments at the three elementary schools where the program was first introduced. ISTEP+ science passing rates for fifth-grade students at Harriet Beecher Stowe School 64, William McKinley School 39 and Francis Bellamy School 102 have increased by over 20 percent over the three-year grant cycle.

“Science education is important in preparing students for careers in Indiana and for making life decisions. We feel that success was due to the combined efforts of administrators and teachers in the MSP schools who recognize this and with grant support worked together to increase student learning,” said Sue Becker, Indianapolis Public Schools Administrator for Science Education.

IPS plans to use the latest round of federal MSP funding to expand the Passport to Science program to additional elementary schools in the corporation. To learn more about the Passport to Science and other local programs supported by the grants, visit www.doe.in.gov/esea/mathscience.