Office of Public Relations
Missouri Baptist University
One College Park Drive
Saint Louis, Missouri 63141-8698
314.392.2307 / fax 314.392.2265
www.mobap.edu / pr@mobap.edu
For Immediate Release
RE: MBU to introduce new MAP scholarship
MBU to introduce new MAP scholarship
February 5, 2008
New college scholarship aimed at bolstering standardized test scores, accessibility to college
Missouri Baptist University will unveil an inventive scholarship opportunity designed to reward students who score well on Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) tests this Friday, Feb. 8 to superintendents of nearly 65 bi-state school districts.
Beginning with the 2008-2009 academic year, a limited number of $1,000 grants will be available to first-time MBU freshman who meet the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s criteria for advanced scores on the MAP test. The grants may be stacked with academic scholarships.
"We feel that this new MAP Scholarship enhances our strong relationship with Missouri school districts," said Terry Dale Cruse, MBU director of admissions. "It is our goal not only to recruit top students, but also provide an incentive through which educators can motivate high school students to achieve higher MAP scores."
MBU’s MAP Achievement Scholarship is the first of its kind in the St. Louis region. Southeast Missouri State University, along with Three Rivers Community College in Popular Buff, Mo., introduced a variation of the MAP scholarship with the start of the 2006-2007 academic year.
The announcement will be made at a Superintendent’s Roundtable Meeting hosted by the Cooperating School Districts of Greater St. Louis, Inc., an education consortium that serves 65 public school districts in Missouri and Illinois.
“The scholarships offered through Missouri Baptist University not only provide students with additional financial support but serve as an excellent example of cooperation between a university and public school districts in recognizing outstanding achievement on state tests,” said John Urkevich, Ed.D., executive director of CSD. “Missouri Baptist University’s MAP Scholarship program is an important effort to help recognize students to further encourage accountability on state tests.”
The benefits of the scholarship are two-fold, if not more. The grant provides a tangible impetus for college-bound high school students to take Missouri’s standardized test seriously while providing MBU with another valuable tool to indicate a student’s level of achievement.
Andy Arbeitman, superintendent of the Desoto School District and the originator of the idea of a MAP scholarship, believes such a scholarship has the opportunity to significantly impact both public and higher education in Missouri.
"The vision is to develop a state-wide scholarship opportunity for Missouri students who perform at a high level on their state assessment that is directly tied to accreditation and 'No Child Left Behind," Arbeitman said. "This is a win-win-win-win situation. The scholarship ties accountability to the state assessment for the student in the way of potential scholarship opportunities while also assisting the local school district with meeting state and federal mandates. In addition, the scholarship assists parents in the financial costs of paying for their child's college education while helping institutions of higher learning recruit and attract the highest quality student."
MAP achievement tests, taken by all Missouri students who attend public high schools, are designed to measure student progress regarding Missouri academic standards. The test results significantly affect a school district’s funding and state accreditation.
What: An announcement of the establishment of MBU’s new MAP Achievement Scholarship.
Where: Cooperating School Districts of Greater St. Louis, Inc.
1460 Craig Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63146
When: Friday, Feb. 5 at 12:45 p.m.
Who: MBU administrators, along with nearly 65 superintendents from throughout the bi-state region.
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Missouri Baptist University is a premier Christian university in Saint Louis, offering graduate and undergraduate studies in over thirty specialized fields and nine degrees. MBU's education and fine arts programs are nationally known in addition to business, religion, administration of justice, and more. MBU is one of the fastest growing higher education institutions in Missouri with an enrollment of over 4,500 students at five locations in the bi-state region — West County, Lincoln County, Jefferson County, Franklin County and the new Illinois extension at Lewis and Clark Community College.
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