Irvine Co. gifts $250K to school district

In a time of budget woes, the Newport-Mesa Unified School District on Wednesday received a quarter-million dollars from the Irvine Co. to enrich its science program.

The check was the fourth installment of what will be a $2.5-million gift from the company.

“We made a commitment four years ago to help the district focus on improving its curriculum in science,” said Daniel Miller, Irvine Co. senior vice president of Entitlement and Public Affairs.

Since then, the district has created dedicated science labs at all of its elementary schools, and hired eight full-time science resource teachers who rotate between the different campuses to teach kids in grades four to six.

Every student receives at least an hour a week of science instruction by the dedicated science teachers, who go beyond the standard required curriculum.

Wednesday’s installment of $250,000 will go toward the eight teachers’ salaries.

The district conducts an annual analysis of student science performance and has seen quantifiable gains. The percentage of students districtwide who have reached proficient or advanced levels on standardized science tests has gone up 11% at the elementary and middle school level, and 12% in the middle and high school level.

“Now, after four years, the district has seen double-digit increases in science scores,” Miller said. “Clearly, science, math and music are being impacted by budget cuts. This is a joint commitment over 10 years. It has definitely proven itself to be a very effective program.”

“It really has been seed money that has made a districtwide change in how we teach science,” Supt. Jeffrey Hubbard said.

The curriculum not only offers higher learning, but engages students through hands-on activities, he said.