Governor Riley Announces National Grant For Advanced Placement (AP) Math and Science Education

A+ College Ready Will Foster Next Generation of Scientists and Engineers

MONTGOMERY  –  Governor Bob Riley announced today that Alabama has received a multi-million dollar grant from the National Math and Science Initiative to strengthen Advanced Placement (AP)  programs in the state's public schools.

This award of up to $13.2 million over six years is the largest private grant on record for K-12 public education in the state. Alabama is one of only seven states chosen for this highly competitive grant.

“Expanding Advanced Placement programs is critical to providing a world-class education for our children and making sure they are prepared to succeed in today’s global economy," said Governor Bob Riley. "We look forward to partnering with the National Math and Science Initiative to bring these new learning opportunities to students across our state.”

NMSI is a major new non-profit designed to help America maintain its global leadership position in technological innovation.  Exxon Mobil Corporation funded the initiative with a commitment of $125 million. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation are also major donors. 

This new funding will launch A+ College Ready, a program to increase student participation in Advanced Placement (AP) courses and performance on AP exams in math, science and English

A+ College Ready will be based at the A+ Education Foundation, which partnered on this project with Governor Bob Riley, State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton, the Alabama Power Foundation and the Alabama Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Coalition.

"We are greatly expanding opportunities for both previously underserved students as well as the traditionally college-bound student. I have no doubt that these young Alabamians can compete with the world's best and brightest," said Bill Smith, chairman of the A+ Education Foundation. "These demanding AP classes will build the kind of academic muscle that will serve them for life."

In addition to generous funding, NMSI provides technical assistance to develop A+ College Ready based on a Texas model that has significantly increased AP participation and student success on AP exams. This model includes professional development and mentoring for teachers, additional time for student learning, and financial incentives based on academic results.

A+ College Ready will build on a foundation of existing statewide AP efforts. These include, the state-funded AP Initiative, a grant from the National Governors Association, and AP courses delivered through ACCESS distance learning.

From 2006 to 2007, the number of AP exam takers in Alabama’s public schools increased 23.3 percent, as compared to a 9.5 percent increase nationwide. The number of AP exams taken by Alabama public school students that earned a grade of three to five, generally qualifying for college credit, increased by 16.6 percent, as compared to a 9.3 percent increase nationwide. Additionally, the AP participation and performance of Alabama’s Black students significantly outpaced that seen nationwide.

About the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI)
NMSI is an innovative non-profit organization created to expand programs proven to boost math and science education in the U.S. Exxon Mobil Corp. is the organization's lead donor, and major funding has also come from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as well as the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.  For more information, visit www.nationalmathandscience.org. 

About the A+ Education Foundation
Since 1991, the A+ Education Foundation has advanced policies, programs and initiatives that result in high achievement by every child in Alabama's K-12 public education system. A+, which is largely funded by Alabama businesses, is also home of the Alabama Best Practices Center. The center works directly with teachers and other school leaders to promote promising teaching practices, and it receives major funding from the Wachovia Foundation and Microsoft Corp. To learn more, visit www.aplusala.org.

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