NEF provides STEM grant for DeSoto ISD schools

fdn_logoJanuary 10, 2015

david_harrisDESOTO—DeSoto Independent School District is the recipient of NEF Cyberlearning’s first STEM+ (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, English, Social Studies, SAT/ACT, IT, Business, Desktop) grant in Texas.

NEF will launch a STEM+ academy in January, 2015. About 730 DeSoto students will receive personalized learning and motivational rewards such as iPods and gift certificates, along with certificates from the State University of New York (SUNY), NEF’s academy partner.

NEF Cyberlearning STEM+ Academy’s (www.cyberlearning.org) vision is to help DeSoto students meet and exceed Texas’ state standards, and to prepare them better for college and the 21st century workforce.

NEF, the national nonprofit leader in providing world-class STEM education solutions, hopes to expand its STEM+ initiative significantly in Texas and other states in the coming years.

Through its national $100 million matching grant initiative, NEF provides 50% matching grant, and actively assists the applicants to gain the other 50% from Federal sources, such as QZAB (see www.qzab.org ). For example, NEF helped DeSoto ISD receive $9.5 million in QZAB funds.

Recognizing the importance of involving the community, the NEF grant also provides training for teachers and parents in personal and professional development.

NEF Chairman, Dr, Appu Kuttan states, “The U.S. is falling behind globally in STEM education. We have 4 million jobs looking for STEM-skilled workers. To solve our serious STEM worker shortage problem and help the U.S. maintain its global economic and technology leadership, we need to set up world-class STEM programs in our schools. Our initiative aims to do exactly that!”

NEF will provide grants on a first-come first-serve basis to school districts across the U.S. insuring that at least one school district is chosen from each state.

The State University of New York (SUNY) will assist the chosen grant recipients in implementing a STEM Academy Total System Solution program.

In the NEF-supported STEM+ academies, students advanced a grade level in a subject like math in 27 learning hours, at a fraction of typical Title I cost, during the 2013-14 school year, according to SUNY’s evaluation.

Based on the success of the 2013-14 results, NEF plans to guarantee student performance in the chosen school districts.

Former President Bill Clinton complimented NEF’s efforts by stating, “You are helping to empower tomorrow’s leaders. I salute you for your ongoing commitment for creating a better and stronger America.”

Interested school districts can contact NEF for more information and application at 703-823-9999 or tstephens@nefuniversity.org.

The National Education Foundation (NEF) is the national non-profit leader in bridging the academic and job skills divides by providing world-class education solutions in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), English, test prep, digital literacy, IT, business and management and soft skills to millions of disadvantaged students and adults. See www.cyberlearning.org.