Partnership for LA Schools Receives Grant for Los Angeles USD Blended Learning

• By Sharleen Nelson
• 02/12/13

Continuing its mission to turn around Los Angeles' lowest performing schools, the non-profit organization Partnership for LA Schools will receive additional funding for its blended learning initiative, which supports science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education in the Los Angeles Unified School District through online learning programs.

DirecTV is investing $200,000 in the initiative to provide district-wide implementation of an online math learning program and a multi-tiered math incentive program.

Nearly 3,000 students will have access to ST Math, an online program Developed by Mind Research Institute that provides self-paced, mastery-based objectives that integrate with core instruction.

An incentive program designed to promote interest in math among elementary and middle school students will also be implemented. The system will reward teachers and parents whose students demonstrate the greatest math achievement using ST Math, and will include iPad Minis and free DirecTV service for a year. A grand prize at the end of the year will be awarded to one middle school and one elementary school student with the highest ST Math usage.

"Los Angeles students have no better partner than DirecTV," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, in a prepared statement. "Mike White and everyone at DIRECTV have been with the Partnership for LA Schools from the beginning, generously contributing both resources and time. Today, they continue that commitment with this generous donation bringing the latest in math learning technology to nearly 3,000 Partnership students."

Founded by Villaraigosa in 2007 to improve education in Los Angeles, the non-profit Partnership for Los Angeles Schools serves nearly 15,000 students across 22 schools in some of the city's poorest communities, and has raised more than $3.6 million to purchase hardware, software, and teacher training to expand the program.

In its second year of operation, the Partnership's blended learning program uses online learning programs such as ST Math to improve student scores in math, English, and the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE).

"DirecTV's investment in our blended learning initiative is a testament to our talented students and teachers who have made it a success," said Partnership for LA Schools CEO Marshall Tuck, in a prepared statement. "We applaud DirecTV for their ongoing commitment and support of the Partnership and our landmark blended learning initiative, which we launched last year and today is one of the largest efforts at scale among inner-city public schools in the country."

For more information about the Partnership for LA Schools, go to partnershipla.org. Go to directv.comto learn more about DirecTV.