Learning & Leadership Grants Emphasize PD for STEM Ed

The NEA Foundation, a nonprofit that provides funding and resources for public schools, districts and educators to solve complex teaching and learning challenges and improve public education, is offering grants of $2,000 and $5,000 to support professional development projects. The Learning & Leadership Grants are geared toward individuals (to "participate in high-quality professional development like summer institutes, conferences, seminars, travel abroad programs, or action research") or groups (to "fund collegial study, including study groups, action research, lesson plan development, or mentoring experiences for faculty or staff"), according to the organization's website.

Applicants must be current members of the National Education Association who are educators or education support professionals in public schools or public higher education institutions. Preference will be given to projects that incorporate STEM and/or global learning, and education support professionals (such as para-educators, school bus drivers, maintenance and custodial staff, food services staff, school nurses and student services workers, clerical and office assistants, school security officers and technicians) are strongly encouraged to apply.

For individual grants, the funds can be used for professional development travel, accomodations, meals, registration fees, materials, etc. For group grants, the funds can be used for educator PD stipends, subtitute fees, materials, travel, meals, etc.

There are three deadlines for submissions throughout the year. The next deadline is June 1; applicants will be notified of their status by Sept. 15. The foundation awards about 120 grants total each year.

According to the foundation, selection criteria include:

• • Proposed goals for student achievement are challenging and rigorous;

• • Proposed work engages students in critical thinking and problem solving;

• • There is alignment between goals, assessment, activities and budget; and

• • The project is collaborative and can be sustained in future years and/or adopted by other educators.

For additional information, including detailed application instructions, visit the NEA Foundation site.

Indiana Sets New Rules for Virtual Schools

Indiana is trying to get its virtual schools under control. The abysmal track record of a couple of virtual school operators in the state have called into question the Indiana State Board of Education's oversight of virtual schools, so lawmakers acted.

Advocacy Groups Urge FCC to Save Educational Broadband Service

The SHLB Coalition and CoSN are leading the pack of advocacy groups who are urging the FCC to retain the Educational Broadband Service is dedicated to serving educational institutions.

Without Right Culture, Investments in Ed Data Systems 'No Use'

Even as they face a "tidal wave of demand" for a growing roster of data, the people running state data systems need to spend more time helping constituents create an "information culture" in education.

Legislation Around Capitol Hill: Congress Intros Bill to Close Digital Divide

Lawmakers in Congress introduced five bills this week that could impact the lives of teachers and students in significant ways.

DeVos, House Democrats Clash Over Education Freedom Scholarships

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’s $5 billion plan to provide students with more school choices was met with skepticism from House Democrats at a recent hearing.

How Education Is Closing the Digital Divide

A new SETDA report digs into how states across the country are implementing new programs to help school districts close the digital divide.

Report: Charter Middle Schools Don’t Improve College Outcomes

A new report from the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance finds students in charter middle schools didn’t have any signs of increased academic achievement when it comes to earning college degrees compared to their peers.

Upcoming K–12 Grants

Call for Papers & Proposals

Upcoming Events

Editorial Webinars