ABILENE, Texas – A two-year College Readiness Program from the National Math and Science Initiative has launched at both Abilene High School and Cooper High School, military-connected schools near Dyess Air Force Base. The U.S. Department of Defense funds the program.
After one year in NMSI’s CRP, students at military-impacted schools average a 45-percent increase in mastery of college-level concepts in math and science — compared to the national average increase of 5.6 percent. That increase is 81.5 percent for Black students, 34 percent for Latinos and 38.4 percent for females.
Students with family members serving in the military move an average of six to nine times while they’re in elementary and secondary school. NMSI’s CRP leverages the College Board’s proven Advanced Placement framework, preserving local control and creating consistent learning across all schools. That means students are on pace from their first day in a new school – making all those moves a little easier.
“This program provides our AP teachers with training that is consistent with teachers at other NMSI schools across the country, and that is invaluable to the students in the program,” Abilene High associate principal Patricia Anderson said. “We’ve also received substantial funding to purchase computer software and equipment specifically for this program and that has really helped the hands-on learning experience.”
At Cooper, associate principal Jay Ashby said the opportunities in this program have already begun to bear fruit.
“The opportunities that partnering with Dyess and its families creates has always been a special part of AISD, especially at CHS, and the NMSI initiative is another great example of this,” Ashby said. “We are only in the first semester of the first year of this initiative and the supports have already paid dividends within our AP Program through professional development, Teacher/NMSI Coach partnerships, digital student supports, technology, and supplies. We look forward to continuing to utilize the tools and support provided by NMSI as we aim to broaden access to STEM-related, post-secondary academic opportunities for all students at CHS.”
As a nonprofit whose mission is to advance STEM education so all students – especially those furthest from opportunity – can reach their highest potential. NMSI has served more than 250 U.S. high schools that have significant enrollment among military-connected students. NMSI is a member of the Defense STEM Education Consortium, which is committed to helping the department improve access for all students to pursue STEM careers and to consider Defense laboratories as places of employment.
About NMSI: The National Math and Science Initiative is a Dallas-based nonprofit with a presence in 40 states. NMSI has served more than 1,300 U.S. high schools to improve student access and achievement in STEM education through teacher training, collaboration with campus leaders and student-focused resources. Schools that participate in the nonprofit’s College Readiness Program see immediate and dramatic increases in the number of students taking Advanced Placement exams and earning qualified scores. NMSI seeks to give access to high-quality, college-level coursework for all students, particularly those underrepresented in STEM programs, which are often Black, Latino and female students. Learn more at nms.org.
