INDIANAPOLIS – Project Lead The Way (PLTW) has released its official 2014-15 school year numbers, and the data show a nearly 30-percent increase in the number of schools offering PLTW courses to America’s students. These numbers further establish PLTW as America’s largest and leading provider of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs for students in grades K-12.
Currently, over 6,500 schools are offering nearly 7,500 PLTW programs to students in grades K-12; this is the highest in PLTW’s 17-year history. PLTW saw the greatest growth as a result of the PLTW Gateway program for grades 6-8, followed by PLTW Launch for students in grades K-5. PLTW Engineering, PLTW Biomedical Science, and PLTW Computer Science programs for high school students accounted for the rest of new implementations.
“We are committed to providing every student in America with access to PLTW. We have doubled the number of programs in schools over the past three years, which is a testament to the quality of PLTW and the evidence that our programs better prepare students for college and careers,” said PLTW President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Vince Bertram. “But the real winners here are America’s students. Through PLTW, they are developing the knowledge and critical skills they need to succeed in the global economy, skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and problem solving.”
PLTW programs are located in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in rural, urban, and suburban districts; across all income levels; as well as in public, private, and charter schools.
In addition to providing world-class curriculum, PLTW is recognized for its high-quality professional development model. Through engaging, rigorous professional development, PLTW equips teachers with the content knowledge and pedagogy needed to engage students in learning the STEM disciplines and seeking solutions in a hands-on, project-based learning environment. In preparation for the 2014-15 school year, PLTW trained a record 6,137 teachers. Since 1997, PLTW has trained a total of 18,956 teachers to instruct hands-on, activity-, project-, and problem-based STEM courses.
For more information on PLTW, including information related to starting a PLTW program, visit PLTW’s website or call (877) 335-7589.
About PLTW Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the nation’s leading provider of K-12 STEM programs. PLTW’s world-class, activity-, project-, and problem-based curriculum and high-quality teacher professional development model, combined with an engaged network of educators and corporate partners, help students develop the skills needed to succeed in our global economy. More than 6,500 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia are currently offering PLTW courses to their students. For more information, visit www.pltw.org.
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