For Immediate Release
April 11, 2008

 

NINE CONNECTICUT SCHOOLS RECEIVE UP TO $4 MILLION THROUGH
CBIA'S PROJECT OPENING DOORS
Increased training and expanding AP programs will better prepare students for the future,
help close the state's achievement gap

 

The Connecticut Business & Industry Association Education Foundation President John R. Rathgeber, along with Connecticut Education Commissioner Mark K. McQuillan, announced the first Connecticut high schools selected for CBIA's Project Opening Doors (POD). The project will help expand Advanced Placement (AP) programs to prepare students for future careers in science and technology.

The announcement was made today during a news conference at the East Hartford Middle School. The first POD schools are:

• Ansonia High

• Bulkeley High, Hartford

• Coventry High

• East Hartford High

• New Britain High

• New London High

• Putnam High

• Westhill High, Stamford

• Wilby High, Waterbury

These nine schools will receive a total of up to $4 million over the next six years for training and incentives to increase Connecticut students' participation in AP courses.

"POD is a partnership between the public and private sectors to bring education priorities in line with the demands of the 21 st century workplace by preparing students to excel in math, science and English and encouraging them to explore science- and technology-based careers,” said Lauren Weisberg Kaufman, CBIA vice president of education and job training and executive director of the CBIA Education Foundation.

Studies by the U.S. Department of Education show that students who complete more-rigorous classes in high school are more successful in college and the workplace than those who simply meet minimum graduation requirements.

"Project Opening Doors addresses Connecticut 's need for more-rigorous coursework that will help produce high school graduates who have the requirements and education needed to be successful in college and in future careers,” said Rathgeber. “It also helps close the achievement gap and gives all students, especially those in underserved minority groups, the opportunity to be successful participants in the future workforce.”

CBIA, in partnership with the state, was awarded a grant for the program in September 2007 from the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), a nonprofit organization designed to help the U.S. maintain its global leadership position in technological innovation.

"Improving students' performance in math and science is the most effective way to increase U.S. competitiveness in a global market,” said Tom Luce, CEO of the National Math and Science Initiative.  "Connecticut is one of the states in the forefront of these efforts.  Tackling the issue through its Project Opening Doors campaign will significantly improve the skills of our future workforce.”

NMSI was created with a $125 million grant from the ExxonMobil Corp. and is supported by numerous organizations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.

"ExxonMobil invests in people and communities around the world because we believe that meeting the world's economic, energy and environmental challenges requires the development of the world's most powerful natural resource – the human mind,” said Chairman and CEO of Exxon Mobil Corporation Rex Tillerson. “By focusing on programs that are proven to be effective, NMSI holds great promise in fostering the next generation of scientists and engineers.”

Connecticut was one of only seven states selected from a pool of 28 applicants to receive a NMSI grant to fund initiatives that foster the next generation of scientists and engineers through rigorous academics in school.

"We need to strengthen Connecticut 's high schools by engaging students in more-rigorous content. This is critical to preparing all of our young people to achieve success in life. Students who complete more- rigorous and challenging courses are more successful in college and the workplace,” said McQuillan. “We are pleased to partner with CBIA on Project Opening Doors and encourage students to take challenging AP courses that will provide them with the academic foundation they will need.”

The nine schools will receive training and incentives to help them expand their AP programs through advanced coaching of AP teachers, workshops and other professional development activities. Financial incentives based on academic results will be available to teachers, students and school leaders.

"The combination of high-quality training and financial incentives is designed to create a culture in which academic excellence becomes the centerpiece of a high school student's experience,” said Cam Vautour, president of CBIA's Project Opening Doors.

"East Hartford is proud to be one of the first schools selected for Project Opening Doors,” said Dr. Marion Martinez, superintendent of schools, East Hartford. “The program will allow us to further improve and offer more AP courses for a larger number of East Hartford High School students and help close the achievement gap that separates students in Connecticut's suburbs from those in its cities.”

CBIA's POD partners include Connecticut 's departments of Education and Higher Education; the Academy for Education in Mathematics, Science & Technology; and the Connecticut Science Center.

The CBIA Education Foundation is a nonprofit affiliate of CBIA, the state's largest business organization, with 10,000 members.

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For more information contact Nancy Andrews, CBIA media relations manager, at 860-244-1957 or andrewsn@cbia.com.

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