NEF's Adopt- A-School Grant Offered for Michigan Public Schools: 100 STEM Grant initiative
(PRWEB) September 22, 2013 -- Michigan public school’s face a setback in the implementation of Common Core as the state removes budgetary dollars. The decision made by the state legislature this summer left school Administrators facing the possibility of not meeting their AYP. The National Education Foundation, a non-profit focused on bridging the academic divide, is offering a solution, STEM grants that provide academic opportunities for students that will enable schools to meet their AYP.
NEF has created an innovative program, CyberLearning web-based platform that addresses AYP and Core Curriculum requirements of school districts. NEF’s Cyberlearning grants provide a world class STEM education for K-12 students. The grant includes a STEM+ student academy, Parent Academy (IT, Business, and Management), Teacher Professional Development Academy, and a Workforce Development Academy.
The vision of NEF is to implement at least one district in each state. The program goal is to train a million employees in job skills below the market fee, and use the funds to provide world-class STEM education to a million students of schools adopted or chosen by the businesses/employers. NEF’s ADOPT-A-SCHOOL PROGRAM is a great way to bridge the gap between businesses and non-profits. This private-public partnership creates a working relationship that can bring about a social change, specifically provide STEM education resources to disadvantaged schools.
The need for STEM skills is elevated in today’s global economy. Innovations in technology has heightened the demand for a STEM capable workforce; despite this high demand the US is following short in producing an ample supply of workers to meet demand. "According to the U.S. Labor Department, US alone has 13 million people looking for jobs. At the same time, US has 3 million jobs looking for qualified skilled people,” states Dr. Kuttan.
In addition to the courses, the grant provides schools funds for teacher stipends, student motivational rewards and teacher training.
The Cyberlearning total system solution enables a student to advance a grade level in 20-30 learning hours in a subject such as math or reading, as documented by SUNY.
In addition to a world-class STEM+ academy for the students, the grant provides a Parent Academy in IT and Business, and a Teacher Professional Development Academy, and a tuition-free Workforce Development Academy for the community.
This national initiative creates effective STEM partnerships among schools, universities and businesses just as President Obama exhorted in the State of the Union address in January, 2013.
NEF Chairman, Dr. Appu Kuttan states, “America is ranked 25th out of 35 countries in math and science. To compete in the global economy, our students need better STEM+ skills. Our initiative is aimed at preparing our students better for college and STEM-related jobs, while helping to improve worker productivity in our businesses.”
President Bill Clinton has commended NEF for “your ongoing commitment for creating a better and stronger America.”
This initiative is a win-win-win partnership—schools and students are the biggest winners; businesses save on annual training costs, and receive enormous CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and PR credits; universities get an opportunity to help schools and communities.
For more information, visit http://www.cyberlearning.org, or call NEF at 703-823-9999.
About NEF
The National Education Foundation (NEF) is the national non-profit leader in bridging the academic and job skills divides by providing world-class education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), English, test prep, digital literacy, IT, business and management to millions of disadvantaged students and adults. See http://www.cyberlearning.org
Appu Kuttan, Cyber Learning, http://www.cyberlearning.org, +1 (703) 823-9999, [email protected]
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