The Jackson Public School District proposes to provide a program which addresses the need to increase the number of minority students enrolled in science and mathematics courses while decreasing the disparity between the academic performance of minority and majority students nationally. The Comprehensive Partnerships for Student Achievement (CPMSA) project will be a collaborative partnership among the Jackson public School District, Jackson State University, Tougaloo college, the Algebra Project, and others. Middle school students will be targeted initially, and the project will insure full participation of all who come in contact with the students, including principals, teachers, counselors, and parents. Plans and strategies include: restructuring the science and mathematics curriculum to align it with the national standards and eliminate general courses; moving toward more hands-on, student-centered, discovery-based learning; requiring content certification for teachers of science and mathematics; providing enrichment experiences for students; enhancing skills of teachers and counselors; and increasing mathematics and science awareness and expectations of parents. JPSD already has initiated curriculum and administrative restructuring which emphasizes the need "to improve the quality and quantity of science and mathematics education received by minority students, who are significantly underrepresented in science, engineering, and mathematics (SEM) fields." The District has adopted these goals--Every JPSD student will be at or above grade level; score at or above the national average on the ACT: and graduate or pursue continuing education and/or military services. The new administration also is promoting the significance of "expectation" in student achievement. All of those involved with students are being advised to "expect" students to do well. Administrators, teachers, and parents have embraced the proposed reforms and are actively involved in developin g plans for change. University support is evident, such as Jackson State University with a history of forerunner programs designed to accomplish the described goals. The fact that the goals and activities of the District are already in line with those of CPMSA will make systemic reform an easier task. All segments of the community, including universities, businesses, churches, and community organizations are agreeing to participate in this endeavor. The goal of this project is to increase the number of minority students enrolling in an successfully completing precollege courses which will prepare them to pursue undergraduate programs in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics. ***

Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1996-10-01
Budget End
2002-09-30
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1996
Total Cost
$4,004,974
Indirect Cost
Name
Jackson Public School District
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Jackson
State
MS
Country
United States
Zip Code
39225