ASSET Inc. is an independent non-profit educational reform initiative dedicated to continuously improving the abilities of teachers

– and the performance of students –

with initial efforts in K-8 science education.

Established in 1994 by Bayer Corporation and several corporate and educational partners in the region, ASSET gained momentum as a National Science Foundation grant recipient before successfully transitioning to an operationally self-sustaining organization.

ASSET has grown from two pilot districts to supporting approximately 40 school districts, charter and private schools in western Pennsylvania are ASSET members.  ASSET member schools continue to benefit by participating in ASSET’s research and development process, which identifies new and existing materials along with teacher-driven professional development to continuously improve the teaching and learning process, not only in science, but also integrating literacy and math.

In 2006/07, Governor Rendell and the state legislature launched the $10 million Science: It’s Elementary program in 75 school districts to enhance K-6 science education.  This initiative encourages hands-on science teaching and learning in elementary school classrooms by providing intensive teacher training and learning modules.  ASSET was selected by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to design and coordinate Science: It’s Elementary based on its decade-long success in southwestern Pennsylvania.

In Governor Rendell’s FY 2007/08 budget, funding for this program increased by $3.5 million ($13.5 million total) so this innovative program with significant student achievement results can grow to impact a total of 2,600 teachers and 59,000 students in 120 school districts across the Commonwealth.  In Governor Rendell’s proposed FY 2008/09 budget, $15 MM is allocated to deepen the impact of Science: It’s Elementary.

ASSET Inc. and Science: It’s Elementary collectively provide professional development for a total of 4,400 teachers in approximately 148 school districts, charter and private schools across 47 counties, which impacts more than 180,000 students throughout Pennsylvania.

Nationally, ASSET is one of eight LASER (Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform) sites in partnership with the National Science Resources Center, an organizationof the Smithsonian Institution and the National Academies of Science.