Press Room
Governor signs budget, including $140,000 for MAP program
Governor Chris Gregoire recently signed into law the Washington public schools budget dedicating $140,000 to funding the Mentoring Advanced Placement (MAP) program, a pioneering public-private partnership begun in 2005. The program supports high school Advanced Placement (AP) programs matching AP teachers and students in physics, statistics, biology, and chemistry to mentors who are professionals in the community and experts in the AP subject matter. This additional funding will allow MAP to serve even more students next year.
"We are excited that Washington is supporting this valuable program. We have a tremendous opportunity to leverage the knowledge and expertise of businesses and support our state's dedicated teachers in a way that engages our young people and demonstrates the link between rigorous academic concepts and the world of work." said Scott Keeney, chair of the MAP board of directors.
Only in its second year, MAP has gathered an impressive amount of state and national attention. Senator Craig Pridemore and Representative Deb Wallace both championed this program, and were pivotal to securing funding. "We know our children are capable of great things. Innovative programs like MAP empower them to see all the possibilities for their lives that are available to them." said Senator Pridemore. Representative Wallace wrote the funding request to help sustain the MAP in 2007-2009 and enthusiastically supports the project.
Governor Gregoire has advocated for improved math and science education and sees MAP as a key to increasing student interest and participation in math and science courses. "MAP supports the intellectual development of our students. It inspires students to participate in rigorous courses." Said Governor Gregoire in a letter to the National Math and Science Initiative, expressing her support for the expansion of the MAP program in Washington.
In response to community demand, MAP grew from serving less than 30 students last year to working with over 90 students in 20 classrooms in Clark County. Educational Service District 112, Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council, and local businesses including nLight, Hewlett-Packard, Underwriters Laboratories, and Sharp Electronics currently support MAP.
MAP is in the running for a $13 million grant through the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) to expand MAP statewide. The NMSI grant would provide up to $13 million over 6 years to support AP programs in Washington State.
MAP is currently recruiting additional mentors to volunteer four hours per month with AP students. MAP will be serving a wide range of AP subjects in 2007-08 including biology, chemistry, English, physics, and statistics. Anyone with skills and knowledge they are willing to share with motivated high school students should contact the program.
More information about MAP can be found at www.apmentoring.org.