What Happened?
Nine schools in Pennsylvania have received portions of $21 million in grants through the U.S. School Improvement Grant. The schools either have a graduate rate of less than 60 percent for two of the last three years, or been a consistently low-achieving school based on state assessments.
The Goal
The U.S. School Improvement Grant program provides the lowest-achieving schools in each state with funding to “implement innovative educational initiatives to better meet the needs of their students and improve academic performance,” according to Pennsylvania Governor Corbett.
Of the 47 schools in Pennsylvania that were eligible to apply for the grants, only 20 submitted applications and nine were awarded grants. The nine schools selected must adopt one of four reform models presented by the U.S. Department of Education: Transformation, Turnaround, Restart and School Closure.
Transformation
Teachers and principals are assessed using a transparent and rigorous evaluation system developed by the federal government or within the state. Staff are required to partake in professional development and play a role in designing curriculum.
Turnaround
Nine broad strategies are implemented at the schools to turn them around and back on the path toward success. Strategies including changing leadership, replacing at least 50 percent of staff, requiring professional development participation and altering the governance system.
Restart
Schools choose between re-opening as a charter school or allowing an education management organization to take over operations.
School Closure
Schools transfer students out of a low-performing institution and into higher-achieving schools nearby.
The U.S. School Improvement Grants last three years and aim to provide struggling schools with the financial catalyst to transform performance and launch new success strategies. Many school districts are experiencing cuts in state funding, and the federal grants help fill these gaps.
STL Schools Revamping
The East St. Louis School District 189 is leveraging $10.5 million in federal funding to turn around the academic performance in two middle schools. According to St. Louis Public Radio, the school district is adding 20 staff members to emphasize professional development and community engagement, while extending the school schedule district-wide.
Also accepting funds through the U.S. School Improvement Grant program, the East St. Louis School District 189 plans to focus on increasing the graduate rate and scores on state and national standardized tests in both schools. Last year one of the schools reported a 67 percent graduation rate, a far cry from the state graduate rate average of 83 percent.
In addition, East St. Louis officials are collaborating with the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendants of Schools to better manage the federal funds. This partnership will provide the school district with advise from experienced administrators who have successfully implemented new strategies within the three-year grant period. One major obstacle the district is seeking to overcome is extremely high rates of truancy and absenteeism. Engaging the community is a top priority to bring students back to the classroom.
A Little Help From My Feds
Gov1 has reported on a variety of federal grants made available to local school districts to improve performance and long-term success.