STEP.COM

Building student success,
STEP by STEP

When Newport News Public Schools began its Student and Teacher Excellence Project (STEP) in 1994, the task was clear: to bring down barriers to minority achievement in mathematics and science.

African-American students were scoring well below white students on standardized tests and were less likely to take advanced math and science classes.

The STEP project had impressive results.  From 1994 to 2000, the number of students successfully completing Algebra I by eighth grade increased 90%; the number of minority students 142%. Minority enrollment in mathematics classes rose by 58%; and the number of students successfully completing advanced math or science courses increased 217%.

STEP.com links resources, expands teacher training and recruitment

The $4.8 million, five-year award from the National Science Foundation for STEP.com allows the division to sustain the momentum of the first project--marked by the continuing achievement of all students--and at the same time explore new ways to improve student success in math and science.

The award is part of the NSF's Urban Systemic Program, which is a K-12 program for school divisions with more than 20,000 students that promotes systemic reform of science and mathematics education.

A key component of the USP is the forging of relationships with colleges and universities. STEP.com will tap the expertise of the area's college and scientific communities and the division's resources in instruction, staff development and technology both to recruit and train teachers and to embed sound educational practices that lead to student success.

By linking a rich array of resources and technology, the Newport News Urban Systemic Program will move NNPS to the next level in systemic reform.

About Newport News Public Schools

Newport News is one of the smaller school divisions in the country and the only one in Virginia or North Carolina to receive the competitive and prestigious Urban Systemic Program (USP) award from the National Science Foundation. Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Houston and San Francisco were among cities receiving NSF funds. The minority-majority school division operates in a culturally and intellectually rich urban community that is home to numerous federal laboratories, four universities and is a city in a state that is the fourth largest Internet user in America. The division has almost completed its five-year, $48 million commitment to building a technology infrastructure. A new six-year Strategic Plan (1999-2005) focuses on improving performance of all students and decreasing the achievement gap between historically underserved students and other student groups.

Learn more about Newport News Public Schools.