Golden Apple Foundation
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Marshall Rosenthal
312/407-0006 x111 ∙ rosenthal@goldenapple.org
U.S. Department of Education Grant Allows Golden Apple and Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
to Develop Math and Science Teachers
(CHICAGO — January 3, 2008) The Golden Apple Foundation and the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) are joining forces to address the so-called “quiet crisis” that America’s declining scientific and engineering talent pool represents. A $341,000 federal grant will allow Golden Apple and IMSA to prepare more talented math and science teachers for Illinois schools, especially schools of need.
U.S. Senator Richard Durbin, who secured the federal grant, said, “One of the most serious issues facing the U.S. is competitiveness in the global marketplace. America simply is not producing enough math and science teachers and our students are falling behind. Unless we want to throw in the towel on global competition, we need to make some dramatic changes. The Golden Apple-IMSA partnership promises to improve student performance in math and science. We must take action now to recruit, retain and train the best possible teachers in the field. By investing in the minds of our young people, we will help ensure America’s continued economic prosperity.”
“The funds enable Golden Apple to further its mission of providing all Illinois children, especially those in needy communities, with excellent teachers,” said Dominic Belmonte, president and CEO of Golden Apple Foundation. “We are pleased to join with IMSA to recruit teacher candidates from the math and science departments of partner universities throughout Illinois.”
The partnership will create a series of Summer Institutes at IMSA in Aurora, Illinois, scheduled to open in Summer 2008, where 25 participant “Scholars” — all majoring in math or science in a middle or secondary education program — will engage in active observation and participation in summer school sessions in the mornings, and take course work in the afternoons on advanced methodology. The Summer Institutes will be residential, five weeks in duration, and will use the combined talent of Golden Apple Award-winning teachers and IMSA educators to plan and present the appropriate coursework to strengthen the preparation of the prospective teachers.
Participants will be chosen midway through their college years and take part in two Summer Institutes. They will receive $2,000 to participate in the Summer Institute and $2,500 university tuition. In return for the program’s benefits, participants must agree to teach for five years — within eight years of graduation and teacher certification — in an Illinois school designated as a school of need by Golden Apple.
“The need to ignite and nurture students’ interests, abilities and aptitudes in science, engineering and mathematics has never been greater,” said Dr. Glenn “Max” McGee, IMSA president. “The viability of our state will depend upon Illinois education producing scientific and technical leaders who will advance the human condition through groundbreaking discoveries, life-changing inventions and bold policies. This unique program will develop teachers who have the knowledge, enthusiasm and spark to assure their students have rich opportunities to develop their skills and interests in mathematics and science and related careers. We are deeply grateful to Senator Durbin for his leadership and investment in the work of IMSA and Golden Apple."
Golden Apple Foundation advances the teaching profession in Illinois through a number of distinguished programs, including the 22-year-old Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching, which honor 10 Chicago-area classroom teachers each year. Since 1989, Golden Apple also has sponsored the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois program, an advanced teacher preparation, internship and mentoring program for outstanding young women and men with an interest to teach in an Illinois school of need, identified by mediocre-to-low state test scores and significant student population of low-income families. More than 1,000 Scholars have participated in the program. Harvard University named the Scholars program a finalist for its Innovations in American Government award — one of 15 programs out of 1,200 nationwide.
The internationally recognized Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) develops creative, ethical leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. As a teaching and learning laboratory created by the State of Illinois, IMSA enrolls academically talented Illinois students (grades 10-12) in its advanced, residential college preparatory program. It also serves thousands of educators and students in Illinois and beyond through innovative instructional programs that foster imagination and inquiry. (www.imsa.edu)
Marshall Rosenthal
Chief Communications Officer
Golden Apple Foundation 8 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 700
Chicago IL 60603
Phone 312/407-0006 ext. 111
FAX 312/407-0344
www.goldenappleCentralIllinois.org
All Children Deserve Excellent Teachers