~National Governors Association grant will be used in conjunction with $3 million in state funds for the creation of Math & Science Teacher Academies~

Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced that the National Governors Association (NGA) has awarded the state a $500,000 grant, which will be used to help improve math and science education in Minnesota schools.

“This grant helps us continue our work to ensure that even more students understand the role math and science can play in their future success,” Governor Pawlenty said. “As we prepare for a more competitive global future, Minnesota’s future job growth will be largely in the science and high-tech fields, and teachers who participate in these math and science academies will provide students with a more rigorous and relevant learning experience.”

During the 2007 legislative session, Governor Pawlenty proposed and the legislature approved funding for the creation of regional Math & Science Teacher Academies throughout Minnesota. Along with the $3 million provided in the FY 08-09 education budget, the half million dollar NGA grant will also be used toward the creation of those academies.

The Math & Science Teacher Academies, developed by the Minnesota Department of Education, will provide professional development and training opportunities for elementary, middle school and secondary teachers in math and science curriculum, standards and instruction.

The academies will train teachers to provide professional development to other instructors from across the state on the best practices for educating students in math and science. This year, Minnesota will start the academies with professional development in the area of math, particularly middle school math, where Minnesota’s standards are undergoing the most significant change.

As a part of this grant, the Department of Education will also work with local school districts to create Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) schools across the state, which will focus on integrating technology and engineering into science and math curricula.

Governor Pawlenty, along with education and business leaders, has led efforts to better prepare Minnesota students for a competitive global market place in which knowledge in the STEM fields will be essential.

Along with the Math & Science Teacher Academies and under Governor Pawlenty’s leadership, Minnesota has implemented several reforms designed to better prepare students for the global marketplace, including:

• New graduation requirements, including Algebra I in eighth grade and Algebra II to graduate – as well Physics or Chemistry to graduate.
• More rigorous Minnesota standards in mathematics, which include a greater emphasis on college and work readiness skills and technology use.
• Continued investment in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs, which has resulted in greater participation in the college readiness programs.
• The nation-leading Q Comp program, which is designed to advance the teaching profession by providing structured professional development and evaluation, as well as an alternative pay schedule that compensates teachers based on performance, not just seniority.

In 2005, Minnesota also received a $2 million NGA grant to improve STEM education. In part, that grant has been used on several initiatives, including the Website www.mn-stem.com, designed to encourage students to explore opportunities in the STEM fields.