Grants & Funding | News

Charter Schools Win Grants To Share 'Lessons Learned' with Traditional Schools

• By Tim Sohn
• 10/05/12

The United States Department of Education has named seven winners of Charter School Exemplary Collaboration grants, which will receive a total of more than $1.2 million. The funding is provided so charter schools can share lessons learned with public schools and school districts.

"Held for the first time this year, the Charter School Exemplary Collaboration grants program encourages high-quality charter schools, traditional public schools and school districts to share resources and responsibilities, build trust and teamwork, boost academic excellence, and provide students and their parents with a range of effective educational options," according to information released by ED.

Grant recipients include:

• Boston Collegiate Charter School, Boston, MA, $203,800, will build an online portal to share content and provide access to Jeremiah E. Burke High School in hopes of improving graduation rates.
• IDEA Public Schools, Edinburg, TX, $199,962, will help Eastside Memorial High School administration boost student achievement. IDEA's 14 academies and seven college prep middle schools are implementing a blended learning program, which includes an iLearning Hotspot, where students work on adaptive math software. The AR Zone provides a designated time for students to read books on their own.
• Arts and College Preparatory Academy, Columbus, OH, $102,900, will focus on social justice, bullying, etc., through theater, at non-chartered public schools. The You Will Rise Project, which provides a platform for students to share artwork about bullying, recently visited the academy.
• Community Day Charter Public School, Lawrence, MA, $199,963, will grow partnership with Arlington Elementary School by offering professional development, support for area families, and more outreach services.
• Highlander Charter School, Providence, RI, $169,680, will look to expand the literacy program in East Providence elementary schools through teacher training in student assessments.
• Jumoke Academy Schools, Hartford, CT, $200,000, will assist Thurman L. Milner School with engaging parents, enhancing the school environment, sharing their school leadership model, offering faculty support, teaching time management, curriculum improvement, and using analytics.
• KIPP Metro Atlanta Collaborative, Atlanta, GA, $160,000, will help B.E.S.T. Academy Middle School at Benjamin S. Carson academy create a positive school environment; improve student performance, attendance, and discipline; offer professional development programs; and provide access to the KIPP School Leadership Principal Prep Program.

For more information, visit grants.gov.