National Math and Science Initiative Partners with Leading Transportation Infrastructure Companies on National STEM Education Program

$1.3 Million Grant Will Enable Expansion of Advanced Placement* Math and Science Programs in Three Texas School Districts

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) and AP Strategies (APS) today announced a $1.3 million grant and formal partnership with a consortium of Texas and international companies that are leaders in the development and operation of private-sector transportation infrastructure.

“This unprecedented financial commitment from the transportation infrastructure development industry represents a significant, long-term investment in the future of our state’s workforce”

The five-year grant will fund implementation of the nationally recognized and highly successful Advanced Placement Training & Initiative Program (APTIP), a program that dramatically increases U.S. student achievement in Advanced Placement* math and science courses. Three high schools in north and central Texas – each affiliated with a specific, major Texas roadway project currently under construction – will participate in the grant.

“This unprecedented financial commitment from the transportation infrastructure development industry represents a significant, long-term investment in the future of our state’s workforce,” said Tom Luce, CEO of NMSI and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education. “In today’s global, high-tech economy, proficiency in math and science are essential: Eight of ten jobs of the future will require a background in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).”

Charlotte Carlisle, president of AP Strategies, which will administer the AP program over the next five years, added: “This tremendous show of support from the private sector will ensure thousands of new students in Texas will have the tools they need to succeed – paving the way for a stronger future for our state and our country.”

The participating high schools, which were selected through a competitive grant process for program implementation in fall 2011, include:

• Lockhart High School in Lockhart Independent School District, south of Austin
• Haltom High School in Birdville Independent School District near Fort Worth
• R.L. Turner High School in Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District in Dallas County.

Each of these high schools is located in a community directly impacted by the following highway projects:

• SH 130 project (Segments 5 and 6) in the greater Austin area, led by Cintra US and Zachry American Infrastructure
• North Tarrant Express project in Northeast Tarrant County, led by Cintra US, Meridiam Infrastructure, the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System, Ferrovial Agroman and Texas-based Webber
• LBJ Express project in Dallas, led by Cintra US, Meridiam Infrastructure, the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System, Ferrovial Agroman and Texas-based Webber.

“In the transportation industry, we are absolutely dependent on a highly educated workforce that has a strong background in science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said Nicolas Rubio, president of Austin-based Cintra US. “We anticipate that our support of this program will drive local students’ interest in rigorous, college-level math and science classes. This translates to success in college and will open the door for them to careers in STEM fields with companies like ours.”

NMSI’s national AP program is based on a proven model that was developed in 1999 by Dallas-based AP Strategies, which will administer the program in the three new schools, in addition to 61 other schools across 15 districts in the state of Texas. The program utilizes a combination of intensive teacher training, open enrollment, preparatory classes for students and financial incentives for teachers and students to boost student achievement. In the last two years, the APTIP has produced a 97 percent increase in AP math, science and English exams passed by students in participating schools – seven times the national average. In addition, the number of AP exams passed by participating minority and female students has increased 155 percent and 116 percent, respectively.

AP Strategies will officially launch the program in the three selected high schools in August 2011, although teacher training sessions are already underway and will continue throughout the summer.

About the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI)

NMSI was launched in 2007 by top leaders in business, education, and science to reverse the United States’ troubling decline in math and science education. NMSI is focused on improving the American public school system by replicating programs nationally that have documented success: the AP Training and Incentive Program (APTIP) to expand the number of high school students mastering college-level Advanced Placement* courses, and UTeach, a program to recruit and prepare college students to become qualified math, science and computer science teachers. Founding sponsors for NMSI include Exxon Mobil Corporation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. For more information, please visit www.NationalMathandScience.org.

About AP Strategies

Advanced Placement Strategies™, Inc. (APS) is a non-profit corporation that works with Texas schools and the private sector to manage Advanced Placement Incentive Programs™ for students, teachers, and schools. Launched in August 2000 by an individual donor, APS develops and manages AP Incentive Programs™ throughout the State of Texas through partnerships between Texas schools, businesses, and the philanthropic community. For more information, please visit www.APStrategies.org.

About SH 130

The SH 130 project (Segments 5 and 6) spans approximately 40 miles, beginning in Mustang Ridge, travelling through three counties – Travis, Caldwell and Guadalupe – and connecting with Interstate 10 in Seguin. Construction is now underway and is expected to be completed in 2012. The SH 130 is a project of the SH 130 Concession Company LLC, an independent company formed by Cintra US and Zachry American Infrastructure. For more information, please visit www.mysh130.com or contact Victoria Miller, corporate affairs director, at [phone].

About the North Tarrant Express

The 13-mile North Tarrant Express project will reconstruct a major east-west highway corridor, along Interstate 820 and State Highway 121/183 in Northeast Tarrant County, one of Texas’ fastest-growing regions. The project, which is now under construction and scheduled to be completed in 2015, will nearly double the roadway capacity. The North Tarrant Express is a project of NTE Mobility Partners, comprised of Cintra US, Meridiam Infrastructure and the Dallas Police and Fire Pension. The contractor for the project is Bluebonnet Contractors, a collaboration between Ferrovial Agroman and Texas-based Webber. For more information, please visit www.NorthTarrantExpress.com or contact Robert Hinkle, corporate affairs director, at [phone].

About the LBJ Express

The 17-mile LBJ Express project in Dallas encompasses improvements along I-635 from Luna Road to Greenville Avenue, as well as on I-35E between Loop 12 and Valwood Parkway. When complete in late 2015, the LBJ Express will dramatically increase the capacity of the current roadway and reduce traffic congestion. The LBJ Express is a project of the LBJ Infrastructure Group LLC, comprised of Cintra US, Meridiam Infrastructure and the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System. The contractor for the project is Trinity Infrastructure, a collaboration between Ferrovial Agroman and Texas-based Webber. Learn more at www.LBJExpress.com or contact Andy Rittler, corporate affairs director, at [phone].

*AP and Advanced Placement Program are registered trademarks of the College Board.

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