Strong start for National Math and Science Initiative on UTeach grant

3/31/2007

Launched on March 9, 2007 with a lead gift of $125 million from ExxonMobil, the National Math and Science Initiative is addressing one of the nation's greatest economic and intellectual threats—the declining number of teachers qualified to effectively teach science, mathematics and computer sciences to K-12 students. To flourish in the 21st century, the United States must continue to generate intellectual capital that can drive the research and development activities that fuel the economic engine of our future prosperity, and this is dependent on the next generation of scientists.

Two months ago, NMSI issued a request for proposals for the replication of UTeach, an effective science and mathematics teacher-training program established at The University of Texas at Austin. Today, NMSI is inviting applicants from 29 institutions of higher education to submit full proposals. This comes after thorough review of proposals submitted from 52 institutions across the country.

The invited institutions are The University of California at Berkeley, The University of California at Irvine, The University of California at Los Angeles, The University of California at Merced, City University of New York, Cleveland State University, Colorado School of Mines, The University of Colorado at Boulder, Drexel University, Florida State University, The University of Florida, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Jackson State University, The University of Kansas, Louisiana State University, The University of Maryland at Baltimore County, The University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Northern Arizona State University, Oregon State University, Temple University, The University of Texas at Dallas, The University of Texas at El Paso, Tulane University, University of Houston, University of North Texas, Western Kentucky University, Western Washington University, The University of Wisconsin at Madison and The University of Wisconsin at Platteville.

The first round of grants will be awarded in October 2007 when NMSI will make awards to 10 colleges and universities of up to $2.4 million each over 5 years for the replication of science and math teacher-training programs.

UTeach encourages math and science majors to enter the teaching profession by offering a math and science degree plan integrated with teacher certification, financial assistance and early teaching experiences for undergraduates. The UTeach Institute will provide participating colleges and universities with course materials, operations manuals, consultation and training in establishing successful replications of the UTeach program.

UTeach has doubled the number of University of Texas at Austin students graduating with math and science teacher certification. Eighty percent of UTeach graduates who entered teaching four years ago are still teaching, compared with 60 percent four-year retention nationally.

NMSI intends to increase the competitiveness of the U.S. by scaling up programs with a proven track record for increasing student success in math and science, including the UTeach program.

Contact:
Tracy LaQuey Parker, Director, the UTeach Institute
512-232-0687
tparker@austin.utexas.edu