N.C. Math and Science Programs To Receive Boost From Grants

The N.C. Partnership for Improving Mathematics and Science received a $13 million grant from the National Science Foundation.

The grant will be coupled with $8.3 million from the U.S. Department of Education also allocated for the program.

Edwards spokesman Carlos Monje said the grant, which will be a joint effort between Eastern Carolina University, Fayetteville State University, UNC-Wilmington and UNC-Pembroke, will be "a partnership for improving mathematics and science."

"(The UNC system) is doing great work to promote science and math in North Carolina's schools," Edwards stated in an e-mail.

"This assistance will help the university (system) make a major difference in the lives of our children."

UNC-system President Molly Broad stated in a press release that while the grant shows North Carolina's determination to strengthen public schools, it also "reflects the university (system's) growing success at attracting federal grants and contracts to leverage scarce state dollars."

The grant focuses on schools in areas that are low-income in comparison to state averages, Monje said. The program is meant to increase student learning in science and math while decreasing the achievement gap.

Programs also are being launched to aid teacher development and to create after-school programs for students in pre-K through 12th grade.

The program will attempt to get more parents involved -- encouraging participation with activities like family astronomy nights, nature walks and opportunities to talk to scientists.

The grant also will support a state advisory board to connect local and state agencies.

"You can have effective teaching going on, but if district leadership doesn't support it, it's not as firmly in place," said Verna Holoman, executive director of the N.C. Mathematics and Science Education Network.

The 17 eastern North Carolina districts involved in the program support more than 200,000 students.

The program is part of President Bush's "No Child Left Behind" education plan.

One facet of the program is to increase the education of teachers.

It will help "build a cadre of lead teachers who will remain in the district to serve as coaches for their peers," Holoman said.

There are also high hopes the program will help North Carolina in its goal of having the highest-ranked public schools in the nation by the year 2010, according to a press release put out by the UNC-system Office of the President.

The State & National Editor can be reached at stntdesk@unc.edu.