A Permanent ASSET
To The Future.

ASSET helps make programs for more focused students

Founded in 1994, ASSET is an education improvement nonprofit that supports school districts in implementing a standards-based science education program through teacher professional development aligned with hands-on curriculum materials.

ASSET also designed and managed the five-year statewide Science: It's Elementary initiative.

Based on a proven track record of results, ASSET was selected by the U.S. Department of Education to receive a coveted Investing in Innovation (i3) grant to establish Regional Professional Development Centers across Pennsylvania, plus an advanced professional development program targeting rural and high-needs schools.

 
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Evolution of an Experiment

When ASSET began its efforts in 1994, it set an ambitious goal: to lead, not just contribute, to national science education reform. Ever since, we have taken great leaps forward with the support of national and regional corporate partners. Our partners have a vested interest in cultivating a pipeline of future science, technology, engineering and mathematics workers - or STEM.

Big Moments in ASSET History

1992

Bayer Corporation and community partners meet to initiate science education reform in Allegheny County schools.

1994

ASSET Inc. (then Allegheny Schools Science Education & Technology) is created with support from Bayer Corporation and other key partners, including the National Science Resources Center (NSRC). Pilot programs begin with elementary schools in the Montour and Quaker Valley School Districts.

1995

With a $3.1 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for teacher professional development, ASSET expands from two to 16 school districts.

1998

ASSET is named one of eight LASER (Leadership & Assistance in Science Education Reform) sites in the country by the NSRC. A supplemental $2 million NSF grant enables ASSET to serve an additional 14 school districts.

2001

ASSET successfully transitions to a fee-for-service nonprofit model. Each of ASSET’s 30 member school districts offers a vote of confidence by continuing on — and an additional four school districts sign on.

2004

To reflect its growth regionally and across disciplines, ASSET changes its tagline to Achieving Student Success through Excellence in Teaching. The program expands to include middle school — creating a seamless K-8 program for improved science education.

2006

Pennsylvania launches Science: It’s Elementary (SIE), a statewide initiative to improve elementary science education. ASSET is chosen to design and manage SIE in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. During the five-year program, the Pennsylvania legislature appropriated nearly $60 million to improve the teaching and learning of science.

2008

NSRC Executive Director Sally Goetz Shuler calls ASSET “a model for the nation.”

2009

President Barack Obama recognizes SIE as an example of a state actively encouraging science education statewide.

2010

ASSET is awarded a $26 million Investing in Innovation (i3) grant to create regional professional development centers and an advanced professional development program to further STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education across Pa. Through this grant, ASSET has the potential to impact 224,000 students.

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