LEXINGTON - A $22 million grant from the National Science Foundation will help the University of Kentucky enhance math and science programs across the state's classrooms and in Appalachia.

        The five-year grant, part of the NSF's Math and Science Partnership Program, was announced by president Lee Todd during an afternoon news conference Wednesday.

        “This is a great day for UK and a great day for American education,” Mr. Todd said. “There is no doubt our knowledge-based economy demands skills in mathematics and science.

        “This NSF funding will enable the University of Kentucky to help students throughout the state obtain greater math and science proficiency.”

        The grant is thought to be the largest single grant in school history, university spokeswoman Mary Margaret Colliver said.

        The university will be the lead partner in the ambitious project and work with the Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative at the Kentucky Science and Technology Corp.

        “Math and science education in rural schools has been neglected,” said Wimberly Royster, former UK vice president of research and graduate studies. “There's a lot of work that needs to be done in those areas, and this project will allow us to make much needed real progress.”

        Eight other institutions also will participate, including Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Pikeville College, Union College, the University of Virginia at Wise, the University of Tennessee and Somerset Community College.

        The program will seek to demonstrate improved student achievement in mathematics and science through partnerships that combine the efforts of teachers, administrators and guidance counselors in local schools with administrators and faculty at the state's colleges and universities, said Paul Eakin, professor of mathematics at UK's College of Arts and Sciences.

        The project also will attempt to strengthen the quality, quantity and diversity of the math and science teacher workforce at a time when many teachers are leaving the profession.

        “These partnerships will become part of a broad national network of interconnected sites that will share successful instructional strategies, entice and train competent science and math teachers and improve learning for millions of students,” National Science Foundation director Rita Colwell said.

        The Appalachian Mathematics and Science Partnership will be made up of 52 school districts and nine colleges and universities. It plans to target four areas to address the needs of the region:

        Preservice teacher and administrator education.

        Professional development of personnel in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 classrooms.

        Student learning opportunities.

        Research to advance the understanding of rural education reform.

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