About the Program Science Links Mathematics Links Gifted Ed. Links

Purpose: To increase aspirations and opportunities for rural middle-school students in advanced math and science curriculum. Background: The percentage of students who register for the highest-level math and science courses varies dramatically by size of high-school enrollment. For example, in Iowa high schools with an overall enrollment of less than 250, 11.8% of all pupils were enrolled in the highest-level mathematics courses. When the enrollment category increases to 1,000 to 2,400, the percentage enrolling in higher-level mathematics is 20%, nearly double that of the smaller school. On a separate yet related national indicator of academic success, the number of Advanced Placement (AP) exams taken per thousand students, Iowa schools rank 45th nationally. AP has long been considered a “gold standard” by the Federal Department of Education, with the ultimate national goal of at least one AP class in every high school in the United States. Although Iowa is moving towards that goal, it has not been attained. This goal is worthy because we know that Iowa students who have access to requisite course sequences in math and science and, ultimately the highest level of math and science available, will be very successful. This is success that can be built upon in college and in life. The program is supported by Federal grant funding. Professor Nicholas Colangelo, Director of the Belin-Blank Center states, "I would like to thank to the U.S. Department of Education for recognizing the importance of this program and for the confidence they have shown in our programs. I am also grateful to Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) for his leadership and to Senators Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania) for their support of this program." Partners in the Iowa Excellence Program: The Connie Belin & Jacqueline N. Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development at the University of Iowa and invited Iowa school districts from rural areas. Participating School Districts: The Iowa Excellence Program began in 2003 with five Iowa school districts (St. Ansgar, Shenandoah, Mediapolis, Williamsburg, and Winterset). These pilot districts were issued the initial invitation to participate in Iowa Excellence because of their proactive participation in the Iowa Online Advanced Placement Academy (IOAPA). IOAPA is coordinated by Dr. Clar Baldus. http://www.st-ansgar.k12.ia.us http://www.winterset.k12.ia.us http://www.shenandoah.k12.ia.us http://www.mediapolis.k12.ia.us http://www.williamsburg.k12.ia.us The five pilot school districts have been joined by these Iowa Excellence school districts: http://www.saydel.k12.ia.us http://www.marion.k12.ia.us http://www.cr.k12.ia.us http://www.ft-madison.k12.ia.us http://www.cca.k12.ia.us Curriculum: Curriculum will be provided by the Belin-Blank Center. The Israel Arts and Science Academy in Jerusalem, Israel developed the curriculum. The curriculum has been adapted by The University of Iowa math and science professors for use with Iowa school districts. Students: Customarily students in grades 6-8 participate. To date more than 200 students have been involved. Students demonstrate high aptitude in math and science and take the EXPLORE test which is administered through the Belin-Blank Center. *The instructors for math may also be the same individuals as the instructors for science. Total class contact time is 96 hours over the course of a school year. Classes are usually taught before or after regular school hours, but classes may be scheduled during a school day. Teachers: Each grade level or group of students is taught by a school district science teacher and a school district mathematics teacher. Teachers are trained by mathematics and science experts at The University of Iowa’s The Connie Belin & Jacqueline N. Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development. Teacher Training Dates: Contact catherine-blando@uiowa.edu Contact Information: Catherine Blando, Ed.S., Administrator, Curriculum Development Susan Assouline, Ph.D., Associate Director, Belin-Blank Center 600 Blank Honors Center The University of Iowa Iowa City, IA 52242 800/336-6463