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EDUCATION AND TRAINING 



National Science Foundation programs support and place a high priority on efforts to Improve science, 

 mathematics, engineering, and technology education and training at all levels pre-kindergarten through 

 secondary, undergraduate, graduate, and public science literacy In addition, special emphasis is placed 

 on increasing participation among groups which have been historically underrepresented in science and 

 engineering fields Other important efforts include programs for evaluation and communication, which 

 ensure that education programs achieve their goals and that program and project outcomes reach a wide 

 audience. Much of NSF's support is associated with the federal interagency effort to improve science, 

 mathematics, engineering and technology education, 



NSF fosters the natural connections between learning and discovery When research resides alongside 

 education and training, the rewards of discovery are shared more quickly and disseminated more widely 

 Support for education and training includes most activities funded through the Education and Human 

 Resources appropriation, as well as those programs funded through the Research and Related Activities 

 appropriation that accomplish education and training objectives through the tie to research programs. 



(Millions of Dollars) 



FY 1995 FY 1996 FY 1997 



Actual Estimate Request 



PreK-12 



The goal of NSF's programs at the Pre K-12 level is for all students to succeed in mathematics, science, 

 and technology To accomplish this goal, NSF programs are directed at teachers, students, curriculum 

 development, and systemic reform. NSF's systemic reform efforts aim to make lasting improvements in 

 science, mathematics, and technology education at the state level, in urban centers, and in rural regions 

 The systemic approach involves broad partnerships in the development of goals, solutions, and actions 

 Teacher enhancement and teacher preparation programs strengthen teachers' knowledge and 

 pedagogical skills and create a network of teachers who are better able to foster reform Pre K-12 

 curricula are enhanced through the instructional materials development program. 



The FY 1 997 Budget Request of $376 million is an increase of $7 million, or 1 8 percent, over the FY 1 996 

 Estimate. In FY 1997, support will focus in the following activities systemic reform, particularly the urban 

 and rural systemic initiatives, teacher preparation and enhancement; and advanced technological 

 education Efforts integrating research and education include a new Pre K-12 math and science 

 assessment activity and expansion of Pre K-12 education projects integrated with relevant research 

 activities Coordinating some projects in minority student participation and informal science education 

 through relevant systemic initiatives permits modest reductions in these areas. Funding for Statewide 

 Systemic Initiatives will decline as part of a phase-out in awards, planned since the program's inception. 



Undergraduate 



NSF's programs support many facets of undergraduate education, including instrumentation and 

 laboratory improvement, curriculum development, faculty enhancement, and undergraduate student 

 research. In order to improve the quality of undergraduate courses and curricula in the sciences, NSF 

 provides funds to encourage the development of multi- and interdisciplinary courses as well as to 



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