In the News...

Colorado Launches Program to Boost Student Science, Tech Performance

Wednesday, May 26 2010

The Denver Business Journal
May 25th, 2010

Seven Colorado high schools -- including three in the Denver area -- have been picked to take part in a new program that aims to improve student performance in math and science, especially in low-income areas.

The program is called Colorado Legacy Schools, and it "aims to significantly increase the number and diversity of students enrolling in and passing math, science and English [advanced placement, or AP] exams," the Colorado Department of Education said in a statement.

The goal is to lead more students into careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the so-called STEM subjects in demand by many Colorado businesses.

The seven Colorado schools chosen to participate in 2010-2011 school year are:

• Abraham Lincoln High School, Denver Public Schools.

• Centennial High School, Pueblo City School District.

• Columbine High School, Jeffco Public Schools.

• Fruita Monument High School, Mesa County Valley School District 51.

• Grand Junction High School, Mesa County Valley School District 51.

• James Irwin Charter High School, Harrison School District.

• Northglenn High School, Adams 12 Five Star Schools.

The program provides teacher training and resources and support for AP students, officials said.

Ultimately, officials hope to broaden the program to serve more than 16,000 students and 60 schools statewide over the next five years. The program is focused on high-poverty, high-minority schools.

Backers of the project include the Colorado Legacy Foundation, a nonprofit that supports Department of Education initiatives, as well as the National Math and Science Initiative, a nonprofit supported by Exxon Mobil Corp., the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation.

"The Colorado Legacy Schools program is an essential component of a broader, statewide strategy to close achievement gaps and provide necessary supports to minority and low-income students to tackle challenging courses and realize their potential to attend college," state Commissioner of Education Dwight Jones said in a statement.

Currently, for every 1,000 minority juniors and seniors who take AP math, science and English exams in Colorado, only 29 pass, state education officials said. But in other states that have adopted programs similar to Colorado Legacy Schools in recent years, the result has been a 52 percent increase in AP exams passed.

Gov. Bill Ritter and state Sen. Chris Romer have helped secure a $150,000 challenge grant to the Colorado Legacy Foundation to launch the program, officials said. The foundation said it has secured $128,640 against this match, including $75,000 from Daniels Fund, $25,000 from El Pomar Foundation, $18,640 from Amgen Foundation and $10,000 from Xcel Energy.