Bill Text: PA HR298 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Recognizing the outstanding contributions of ASSET Inc.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2011-05-23 - Adopted (199-0) [HR298 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-HR298-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 1918
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 298 Session of2011
INTRODUCED BY MUSTIO, GRELL, GINGRICH, KOTIK, READSHAW, CLYMER, CREIGHTON, BRADFORD, BRENNAN, EVERETT, FLECK, HARHAI, HARKINS, HENNESSEY, HORNAMAN, LONGIETTI, MILLARD, MOUL, ROSS, SCAVELLO, WAGNER AND FABRIZIO, MAY 23, 2011
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MAY 23, 2011
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the outstanding contributions of ASSET Inc.
WHEREAS, ASSET Inc., which stands for Achieving Student
Success Through Excellence in Teaching, is a science education
improvement initiative advancing science teaching and learning
in kindergarten through eighth grade in Pennsylvania through
teacher professional development and hands-on curriculum
materials; and
WHEREAS, ASSET's proven track record of improving student
achievement has garnered State support for a Statewide
elementary education program known as "Science: It's
Elementary," since 2006; and
WHEREAS, Through the investments by the General Assembly and
partnerships with the Department of Education, ASSET has helped
position Pennsylvania as a leader in science education reform;
and
WHEREAS, Because of the partnership between ASSET and the
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Department of Education, elementary students are learning
science through the best education practices, which are
delivered by highly dedicated and qualified educators who have
participated in ASSET's rigorous professional development
program; and
WHEREAS, An educational evaluation firm found that "Science:
It's Elementary" changes school district culture, resulting in
more frequent science lessons being taught in classrooms, leads
to significant improvements in student achievement and, for
teachers who engage in rigorous, ongoing professional
development, increases science content knowledge and confidence
in teaching science; and
WHEREAS, An independent evaluation found that fourth-grade
students in ASSET member schools scored statistically
significantly higher than their peers in demographically similar
comparison schools on the Pennsylvania System of School
Assessments in science; and
WHEREAS, ASSET directly impacts 4,000 teachers and 150,000
students annually in approximately 140 school districts, charter
schools and private schools in Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Since its establishment in 1994, ASSET has provided
school districts across this Commonwealth with quality
educational opportunities by bringing together governmental
agencies, corporations, foundations and universities in support
of science education reform; and
WHEREAS, ASSET has successfully implemented science education
programs across Pennsylvania and achieved a record of student
achievement results; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
outstanding contributions of this science education reform
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initiative, ASSET Inc., and congratulate its success in securing
a highly competitive Federal Investing in Innovation grant - one
of 49 in the nation and one of only two in Pennsylvania - to
further improve science education in Pennsylvania and serve as a
model for the nation.
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