June 4, 2007
Mesa Public Schools and The Boeing Company have been selected as one of the nation’s top school-business partnership by The Council for Corporate and School Partnerships. The award comes with a $10,000 grant.

Read more about The Council for Corporate and School Partnerships and the award.

The Boeing Company has long supported projects to support student achievement for Mesa children in math and science. The corporation has contributed funding and volunteers to help young people strengthen their classroom skills and develop an interest in technology-related careers.

Two flight simulation activities, developed through the partnership, give elementary children an opportunity to put their knowledge into practice. When students participate in the Flight Center or the Space Shuttle program, they are learning the Arizona state curriculum standards in the core subjects and gaining a better understanding of career-oriented skills such as teamwork and communication.

The Boeing Company has also sponsored the Math Academy. Volunteers work with elementary children on math. Classroom teachers are trained to blend to the curriculum activities with the afterschool academy. The district’s research shows that students who participate in the Math Academy improve their scores on the AIMS test and other assessements.

Professional development for teachers is also an important part of Boeing’s support for students. When the district increased the requirement for science in the junior high schools, Boeing donated $75,000 for offset tuition expenses for Mesa teachers to become highly qualified in science and fill the need for more teachers.