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NSF PR 00-84 - October 31, 2000
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NSF Supports American Indian Tribal College Projects
to Improve Math & Science Instruction
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has made 13 new
awards totaling some $13 million to improve science,
mathematics and technology education in K-12 schools
on tribal reservations in Montana, North Dakota, South
Dakota, Wyoming and Washington.
The grants, made through NSF's Rural Systemic Initiative
(RSI), incorporate standards-based instructional practice
with supportive policies and partnerships. This RSI
effort is NSF's response to the White House Initiative
on Tribal Colleges and Universities-an effort to promote
access to high quality educational opportunities for
economically disadvantaged students while developing
innovative linkages among the tribal colleges, elementary
and secondary schools.
"Enhancing math and science instruction will help more
young Native American men and women find a brighter
future in an increasingly technological society,"
says Rita Colwell, NSF director.
"We believe local, individual projects such as these
are the best way to address the needs of specific
geographic areas and provide direct support during
the process,& adds Costello Brown, interim director
for NSF's Division of Educational System Reform. "These
awardees have made significant progress toward achieving
many of the goals outlined in The White House Initiative
on Tribal Colleges and Universities."
Individual award amounts will average $1,250,000 each
for 10 implementation awards over a five-year period
and $100,000 each for four developmental awards over
a 12-month period. The awards begin during the 2000-2001
academic year. Recipients are Blackfeet Community
College, Montana; Candeska Cikana Community College,
North Dakota; Fort Belknap Community College, Montana;
Fort Berthold Community College, North Dakota; Fort
Peck Community College, Montana; Sisseton-Wahpeton
Community College, South Dakota; Turtle Mountain Community
College, North Dakota; Little Big Horn College, Montana;
Northwest Indian College, Washington; Salish Kootenai
College, Montana; United Tribes Technical College,
North Dakota; Dull Knife Memorial College, Montana;
and the Fremont School District, serving the Wind
River Reservation in Wyoming.
RSI targets rural areas in economically disadvantaged
regions of the nation that lack support and resources
for reform of mathematics, science and technology
education. Projects aim at sustainable, adaptable,
and systemic improvements in schools and colleges.
While the primary focus of projects is on providing
leadership and support for educational reform in a
rural region, effective projects also encourage discussions
about how student achievement is tied to economic
growth for the region. Projects work to bring together
education, economic, and community leaders as partners
in developing a comprehensive plan for community involvement.
For more information, see: http://www.ehr.nsf.gov/EHR/ESR/rsi.asp
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