Funding, Grants & Awards

Coalition Aims To Provide $620 Million for Expanded Learning Opportunities for Grades 6-8

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 11/11/15

Twenty organizations focused on education have pledged to collectively donate $620 million over the course of five years to improve expanded learning opportunities for students in grades 5-8.

Dubbed the Expanded Learning Middle School Initiative, the program aims to reach more than 1.3 million students and is organized by Citizen Schools, a nonprofit that partners with public schools through apprenticeships and academic support.

"The expanded learning model proves that middle school students enter high school with a greater chance of graduating and going to college, especially in low-income communities where there is a greater opportunity gap," said Steven M. Rothstein, CEO of Citizen Schools, in a prepared statement. "Providing academic enrichment in subjects like STEM and access to mentors who are scientists, engineers and doctors motivates students and gives them a chance to imagine themselves in those careers."

A formal announcement of the initiative will take place this month at the White House Next Gen High School Summit. More information and a list of organizations participating in the Expanded Learning Middle School Initiative is available at citizenschools.org.