•  ASSET Inc. is an independent, nonprofit education reform initiative dedicated to continuously improve the competencies of teachers, with an initial focus on K-8 science education .

•  Established in 1993 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 a self-sustaining organization .

•  ASSET has grown from two pilot districts to 38 member districts serving approximately 3,000 teachers and 63,000 students annually.

•  ASSET's ongoing " by teachers for teachers" professional development focuses on teaching methodology and science content that supports the use of 5,500 hands-on, standards-based science modules being delivered to member schools this year.

•  During 2003-04 , ASSET staff will conduct more than 90 courses and institutes on science content and research-based teaching best practices , such as Science Notebooks, Inquiry as Teacher Research, Module Training-Levels I and II, and Institutes for Inquiry and Assessment.

•  ASSET's five elements of effective education reform include:

•  Standards-Based Curriculum Materials : ASSET provides standards-based curriculum materials that incorporate an inquiry-based approach to learning—FOSS, INSIGHTS, SEPUP, STC & STC/MS

•  Professional Development : ongoing, relevant PD supports use of curriculum materials and fosters continuous improvement of highly qualified teachers

•  Centralized Materials Support : ASSET's Materials Support Center delivers and refurbishes 5,500 modules annually, so teachers can concentrate on teaching

•  Assessment : of program effectiveness and student learning

•  Community/Administrative Involvement : ASSET provides administrative and community involvement through partnerships to share resources and expertise

•  The ASSET model has been replicated in more than 35 school districts in surrounding counties and is recognized as a national and state education reform leader .

•  New this year, ASSET is piloting the development of Associate Memberships which will facilitate expansion of the ASSET program through the state-funded and other universities .