Following a highly competitive application process, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in partnership with Mass Insight Education and Research Institute, has succeeded in securing one of the first-ever awarded grants from the National Math and Science Initiative, Inc (NMSI) for the Massachusetts Math & Science Initiative, an Advanced Placement® training and incentive program. NMSI is an innovative non-profit organization created to facilitate the national scale-up of programs that have a demonstrated impact on math and science education in the United States. Initial funding for NMSI comes from ExxonMobil. Massachusetts was one of seven states selected to receive the grant, which will provide up to $13.2 million over the next six years to help fund a state wide Advanced Placement® training and incentive program.

The goal of the grant is to increase student enrollment in mathematics, science and English AP courses, as well as to improve student performance as reflected by an increase in the number of qualifying scores (3, 4 or 5 on a 1 to 5 scale). The program will provide extensive training for AP and Pre-AP teachers, establish AP lead teachers, demand additional student preparation, and provide performance-based financial incentives for students and teachers. Under the leadership of Morton Orlov II, who is the President of the AP Training and Incentive Program in Massachusetts, up to twelve high schools will be selected through a competitive process to participate in the program during the 2008-2009 school year, with the goal of implementing the program in 100 high schools by 2013 through the integration of Regional Development Centers.

Most recently the Principal of Chelsea High School, Mort served for 23 years as an infantry officer in the United States Army in a variety of staff and leadership positions. He has also served as the Deputy Military Advisor at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations and as the Professor of Military Science at Boston University.

For more information on this new program, contact Morton Orlov at 617-778-1528 or via email, or click here to download the RFP.

Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program Funders:

National Math and Science Initiative

State:
Massachusetts Board of Higher Education
Massachusetts Department of Education

Private:
The Boston Foundation
Liberty Mutual
MassMutual Insurance
Massachusetts High Technology Council
Microsoft Corporation
The Nellie Mae Education Foundation
The Noyce Foundation
The State Street Foundation, Inc.