| STEP.COM
 Building
student success,
STEP by STEP
When Newport News Public Schools began its Student and
Teacher Excellence Project (STEP) in 1994, the task was clear:
to bring down barriers to minority achievement in mathematics
and science.
African-American students were scoring well below white students
on standardized tests and were less likely to take advanced
math and science classes.
The STEP project had impressive results. From
1994 to 2000, the number of students successfully completing
Algebra I by eighth grade increased 90%; the number of minority
students 142%. Minority enrollment in mathematics classes
rose by 58%; and the number of students successfully completing
advanced math or science courses increased 217%.
STEP.com links resources, expands teacher
training and recruitment
The $4.8 million, five-year award from the National
Science Foundation for STEP.com allows the division to
sustain the momentum of the first project--marked by the continuing
achievement of all students--and at the same time explore
new ways to improve student success in math and science.
The award is part of the NSF's
Urban Systemic Program, which is a K-12 program for school
divisions with more than 20,000 students that promotes systemic
reform of science and mathematics education.
A key component of the USP is the forging of relationships
with colleges and universities. STEP.com will tap the expertise
of the area's college and scientific communities and the division's
resources in instruction, staff development and technology
both to recruit and train teachers and to embed sound educational
practices that lead to student success.
By linking a rich array of resources and technology, the
Newport News Urban Systemic Program will move NNPS to the
next level in systemic reform.
About Newport News Public Schools
Newport News is one of the smaller school divisions in the
country and the only one in Virginia or North Carolina to
receive the competitive and prestigious Urban Systemic Program
(USP) award from the National Science Foundation. Phoenix,
Pittsburgh, Houston and San Francisco were among cities receiving
NSF funds. The minority-majority school division operates
in a culturally and intellectually rich urban community that
is home to numerous federal laboratories, four universities
and is a city in a state that is the fourth largest Internet
user in America. The division has almost completed its five-year,
$48 million commitment to building a technology infrastructure.
A new six-year Strategic Plan (1999-2005) focuses on improving
performance of all students and decreasing the achievement
gap between historically underserved students and other student
groups.
Learn more about Newport
News Public Schools. |
