NSF PR 96-31 - June 5, 1996
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NSB Approves Multimillion Dollar Award for St. Louis'
System-Wide Education Reform
St. Louis is one of three cities named to receive a
National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for developing
systemwide reforms in K-12 science, mathematics and
technology education.
NSF's governing body, the National Science Board,
has approved the St. Louis plan as well as proposals
offered by the Milwaukee, Wis. and San Diego, Calif.
urban school systems.
Negotiations are underway for the five-year, $15 million
grant the St. Louis and University City Schools system
will receive under NSF's Urban Systemic Initiatives
(USI).
"We are happy that St. Louis will be undertaking this
challenging, satisfying, although somewhat risky business
of reform for the betterment of its children," Luther
S. Williams, NSF Assistant Director for Education
and Human Resources, said.
The St. Louis area schools are adopting a four-pronged
reform plan, according to Williams, which includes
a series of professional development opportunities
for teachers, changes to curricula and instruction,
increased student support programs and other internal
actions.
The schools themselves will focus on "math and science
fundamentals which will permit students to participate
fully in a technological society," education officials
say. The school leaders have developed an educational
approach to attract increasing numbers of students
into mathematics, science and technology careers.
"As we continue to promote system-wide reforms in
math, science and technology education, we have seen
the accomplishments that are possible. I have every
reason to expect that St. Louis schools will stimulate
high performance from their students measured by their
achievement," Williams said.
Twenty-seven cities are now eligible for NSF support
to fund a portion of their science, math and technology
education improvements since NSF's urban reform initiatives
began in 1993. These cities have the largest numbers
of school-age children living in poverty. NSF purposefully
took on some of the nation's hardest possible cases,
says Williams, in an attempt to focus reform where
it is most needed.
Starting in 1993, each eligible city received $100,000
from NSF to undertake a self-study of its K-12 system
of math and science education. Each city was then
asked to develop a plan of system-wide reform addressing
critical issues of standards, student achievement,
policy development, resource allocation and a system
of support from the local community.
Nine cities received USI funding in 1994. Seven more
received funding in 1995. St. Louis, San Diego and
Milwaukee are the first cities chosen to receive funding
in 1996.
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