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PRESS RELEASE

March 03, 2008

Tom Butler
(850) 245-0413

Florida Receives Millions to Train Math and Science Teachers
~ Almost $22 million over three years will enhance instruction ~

TALLAHASSEE – The U.S. Department of Education’s Mathematics and Science Partnership (MSP) program recently awarded Florida a $5.9 million federal grant to fund educator training on the state’s new world-class mathematics and science standards. The grant was issued to The Partnership to Rejuvenate & Optimize Mathematics and Science Education (Florida PROMiSE), a partnership between the University of South Florida, the University of Florida and Florida State University. Florida PROMiSE will be funded over a three-year period with $8 million expected to be awarded in the second year and another $8 million expected in the third.

“Florida’s new world-class math and science standards are vital to the growth of biotechnical, aerospace and alternative energy industries in our state,” said Florida Education Commissioner Eric J. Smith. “These funds give our teachers the training they need to prepare our students to pursue education and careers in these areas.”

Through Florida PROMiSE, eligible teachers will receive training on the latest teaching methods and strategies for the newly revised standards. Based on leading national and international mathematics and science standards, the revised standards incorporate the latest knowledge, concepts, and techniques that form the educational foundation for students to compete in the global economy of the future.

The Florida PROMiSE will also help revise college and university-based teacher education programs to ensure that future teachers have the knowledge to make curriculum decisions and will enhance the ability of schools, districts, and communities to provide support for teachers to implement high-quality mathematics and science instruction.

In addition to the three universities, the Florida PROMiSE partnership includes the school districts of Hillsborough, Duval, Seminole, and Miami-Dade counties, the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium (PAEC), the Heartland Educational Consortium (HEC), the Northeast Florida Educational Consortium (NEFEC), Florida Virtual School, and Horizon Research.

For more information about the program, visit http://www.fldoestem.org/FLDOE_STEM/Florida_MSP_Programs.aspx.