UTeach Teacher-Preparation Program to Expand Nationally Through $125 Million Commitment by ExxonMobil

March 9, 2007

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AUSTIN, Texas—The University of Texas at Austin’s UTeach mathematics and science teacher-preparation program will be scaled-up nationally through a $125 million commitment to the new National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) by the ExxonMobil Foundation.

UTeach, a collaborative program between the colleges of Natural Sciences and Education at The University of Texas at Austin, attracts outstanding college students into K-12 teaching careers in science and mathematics.

The program will be replicated nationally through a partnership between the UTeach Institute, which was created by the College of Natural Sciences to work with other colleges and universities to replicate UTeach, and NMSI.

“The University of Texas at Austin is proud to be partnering with NMSI in expanding upon UTeach’s track record to increase the quantity and quality of math and science teachers nationwide,” said Mary Ann Rankin, dean of the College of Natural Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin. 

The UTeach Institute and NMSI plan to award grants for up to 10 colleges and universities to replicate UTeach in fall 2007.

NMSI is a non-profit entity that was created in response to the call for action by the National Academies’ 2005 report, “Rising Above the Gathering Storm.” According to the report, improving American students’ performance in math and science coursework is the most effective way to increase the United States’ global competitiveness.

The UTeach program was specifically endorsed in the report.

ExxonMobil’s commitment to NMSI was announced on Friday, March 9, in New York City. It is the largest corporate gift ever to math and science education.

“The National Academies set forth a clear path for the nation to improve math and science education for our country’s youth and it is now time for us to act,” said Tom Luce, CEO of NMSI and former U.S. assistant secretary of education for planning, evaluation, and policy development. “NMSI will broadly implement two proven programs in states across the nation in an effort to support the next generation of innovators.”

In addition to UTeach, NMSI aims to scale up training and incentive programs for AP® and pre-AP® courses.

UTeach encourages math and science majors to enter the teaching profession by offering a math or science degree plan integrated with teacher certification, financial assistance and early teaching experiences for undergraduates.

The program has doubled the number of University of Texas at Austin students graduating with math and science teacher certification. Eighty percent of UTeach graduates who entered teaching four years ago are still teaching, compared with 60 percent four-year retention nationally.

Over the next five years, NMSI plans to make additional awards for the expansion of UTeach and the AP® training and incentive programs.

Additional information on the grant application process is available at the UTeach Institute Web site, and on the National Math and Science Initiative Web site.

For more information contact: Lee Clippard, media relations, 512-232-0675.