$700K from U.S. Department of Defense funds national STEM program at Bethel schools
Money from the U.S. Department of Defense will make it easier for hundreds of Bethel students to prepare for college.
A $727,500 grant will support a two-year college readiness program at three high schools: Bethel, Graham-Kapowsin and Spanaway Lake.
The program, created by the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), provides extra study sessions for students and training to teachers across the district.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord leaders have partnered with Bethel to launch the program. NMSI has served more than 250 U.S. schools that have significant enrollment among military-connected students.
“The benefit is a very strong professional learning opportunity for our (Advanced Placement) teachers, and support for our teachers and for our students that we haven’t been able to put into place without NMSI,” said Jennifer Bethman, assistant superintendent of secondary education for Bethel School District.
NMSI also pays for AP tests so students don’t have to. Earlier this year, Bethel School District announced that no student would have to pay for AP tests, which cost about $94 each.
This story was originally published December 10, 2019 at 6:05 AM.
