A two-year College Readiness Program from the National Math and Science Initiative is launching at Charles B. Aycock High and Eastern Wayne High, two schools with higher percentages of military-connected students near Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. The U.S. Department of Defense funds the program.
“Seymour Johnson Air Force Base congratulates both Charles B. Aycock and Eastern Wayne High School for receiving the NMSI and DoD Stem funding grant,” states Kurt C. Helphinstine, Colonel, USAF Commander, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC. “These grants provide our military-connected students with an additional level of high quality education and assists in preparing them for future academic endeavors. Seymour Johnson Air Force Base stands strong in its partnership with Wayne County Public Schools and we are grateful to everyone that has worked diligently to bring this College Readiness Program to our students.”
After one year in NMSI’s CRP, students at military-impacted schools average a 45 percent increase in mastery of college-level concepts in math and science —compared to the national average increase of 5.6 percent. That increase is 81.5 percent for Black students, 34 percent for Latinos and 38.4 percent for females.
“We look forward to the partnership with NMSI and DOD to support these two high schools,” states Dr. James Merrill, interim superintendent. “NMSI has a proven track record for helping schools increase student achievement. The NMSI training and resources our teachers receive will not only have an impact on the college readiness of our military connected students, but all students taking Advanced Placement classes will ultimately benefit.”
Students with family members serving in the military move an average of six to nine times while they’re in elementary and secondary school. NMSI’s CRP leverages the College Board’s proven Advanced Placement framework, preserving local control and creating consistent learning across all schools. That means students are on pace from their first day in a new school -making all those moves a little easier.
“Wayne County Public Schools recognizes that military connected students experience many transition challenges,” adds Dr. Merrill. “Advanced Placement courses have been proven to be beneficial for students not only by allowing students to earn college credits, but also because completion of AP courses is correlated with being more successful as a college freshman. Since AP courses are recognized and accepted across the United States and abroad, a robust offering of AP courses in our schools can better position military connected students for success if their family is reassigned to another military Base.”
As a nonprofit whose mission is to advance STEM education so all students, especially those furthest from opportunity, can reach their highest potential, NMSI has served more than250U.S.schoolsthathavesignificantenrollmentamongmilitary-connected students.
NMSI is a member of the Defense STEM Education Consortium, which is committed to helping the department improve access for all students to pursue STEM careers and to consider Defense laboratories as places of employment.
