The National Science Foundation (NSF) hosted an interactive news conference to communicate preliminary results of a study on NSF’s Urban Systemic Initiatives (USI) in K12 mathematics and science education, a program begun in 1993. School systems in more than 20 major cities have undergone major reforms to improve math and science education. A summary report, Academic Excellence for All Urban Students, is based on a larger ongoing study, and provides context for detailed data that have been gathered on the progress of students in urban systems that have undertaken reforms.

To announce these results, NSF organized its first multi-site on-line news conference in an application of the latest “Grid” networking technology. NSF officials in Arlington, Va., and selected city school officials from facilities near their home sites, communicated their experiences with education system reform.