About the National Math and Science Initiative
NMSI was formed to address one of this nation’s greatest economic and intellectual threats – the declining number of students who are prepared to take rigorous college courses in math and science and equipped for careers in those fields. To flourish in the 21st century, the United States must continue to generate intellectual capital that can drive the economic engine of our future prosperity. This crucial project was initiated as a public-private partnership, led by private donors such as Exxon Mobil Corporation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation.
Our Mission
NMSI’s mission is to improve student performance in the critical subjects of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). NMSI’s programs transform teaching, transform schools and are transforming education in the United States.
Why?
American students are falling behind in the essential subjects of math and science, putting our position in the global economy at risk. To be truly successful, our country must ensure that all students, no matter what their financial circumstances, race, or gender, have access to careers in the promising fields of science, technology, and engineering.
How?
We don’t reinvent wheels, we find the best ones – and roll. That is, we find ideas and programs with proven effectiveness and quantifiable results, and scale them up nationwide. We monitor results for effectiveness and require that milestones be reached every step of the way. Educators value our comprehensive, evidence-based approach because it delivers dramatic and sustainable results and fundamentally changes education cultures.
NMSI’s Approach
NMSI transforms STEM education by focusing on the most critical element in education – teaching.
- NMSI’s UTeach program significantly improves the quantity and quality of new math and science teachers.
- NMSI’s Teacher Training program is strengthening the existing teaching corps through the professional training resources aligned with Common Core State Standards.
- NMSI’s AP program is raising the academic bar in public schools by demonstrating that more students, especially underrepresented groups, can master rigorous AP coursework, especially in math and science.
- NMSI’s focus on military families provides consistent, high-level math and science education to schools serving military bases through our rigorous AP Program.
Student by student, teacher by teacher, we are transforming schools in America.
https://www.nms.org/Programs/LayingtheFoundationProgram.aspx