Thirteen more Arkansas high schools are joining the UALR-based Arkansas Advanced Initiative for Math and Sciences (AAIMS), the $13.9 million effort sponsored by the National Math and Science Initiative to increase participation and scores in Advance Placement classes, Gov. Mike Beebe has announced.

The new schools will join the initial 10 selected for the 2008-2009 school year – the startup year for the National Math and Science Initiative funded by ExxonMobil Corp. Earlier this year, the Walton Family Foundation of Bentonville provided a $2.9 million grant help AAIMS match the ExxonMobil grant.

Schools Beebe said would join the initiative for the beginning in the 2009-2010 school year are:

• Ashdown High School
• Crossett High School
• Dumas High School,
• Fort. Smith Northside High School
• Hamburg High School
• Green Forrest High School
• Magnolia High School
• Pea Ridge High School
• Rivercrest High School
• Rogers Heritage High School
• Rogers High School
• Russellville High School
• Waldron High School

“Eighteen months ago, Arkansas was selected as one of six states to receive a $13.2 million grant from the National Math and Science Initiative to begin the fight against the alarming decline in American achievement in math and science,” said AAIMS President Tommie Sue Anthony. “While there remains much work to do, the results are already substantial.”

The group of AAIMS schools report a 40 percent increase in enrollment in Advanced Placement math, science, and English classes. The number of students enrolled in these classes in the first 10 schools grew from 1,993 to 2,800.

“This is the largest number of students enrolled in AP math, science, and English of any of the six states chosen by NSMI for this program,” Anthony said.

Last year, the first group of AAIMS schools produced only 544 scores of 3 or better in AP math, science, and English. This year, the goal is 1,002 scores of 3 or better – an 84 percent increase.

“Arkansas has been recognized as a leader in Advanced Placement policy over these past few years, and it is wonderful to see that we are again leading the way,” said Dr. Ken James, director of the Arkansas Department of Education.

“Thanks to this grant, and the diligent work by Tommie Anthony and the AAIMS staff and board of directors, the Arkansas schools participating in this project have increased Advanced Placement participation by 40 percent in the first year. Together, they have more students enrolled in AP math, science and English than do any of the other six grant states. This success no doubt will lead to huge dividends for these students and their schools as well as provide motivation for Arkansas’ next set of participating schools to enroll even more students in AP courses.”

The NMSI selected Arkansas to be one of the six state-based plans for initial funding, based on a grant proposal written by UALR Professor Ann Robinson in the College of Education.

The UALR plan established AAIMS and set out to put in place a five-year plan to increase both the enrollment in AP math, science, and English and the number of scores of 3-5 on Advanced Placement exams. The plan expands a proven strategy that greatly increases the number of students succeeding in the rigorous Advanced Placement coursework and exams and greatly increases the number of students graduating from college.

Key elements of the AAIMS program provide:

• Formal training to upgrade the content knowledge of math, science and English teachers currently in the classroom
• Experienced “lead teachers” to coach other AP and Pre-AP teachers
• Financial incentives for teachers and students based on results
• Open enrollment to provide opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds
• More time on task for students through prep sessions and after-school tutoring
• High standards with accountability for results

The 13 schools announced by the governor will join the 10 that began working with AAIMS 2008-2009 school year are: Booneville, El Dorado, Greenbrier, Greene County Tech, Lake Hamilton, Wilbur Mills University Studies, Newport, Little Rock Parkview, Springdale, and Springdale Har-Ber.

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