Closing the Achievement Gaps
Many economically disadvantaged and minority students do not have the same opportunities for academic success as their more affluent peers. With support from The NEA Foundation, partnerships led by NEA affiliates, school districts, and community organizations will take action to accelerate the achievement rate for disadvantaged and minority students, while raising achievement for all groups of students.
The first grant made under this program was awarded in June 2004 to a school district–union partnership in Hamilton County (Chattanooga), Tennessee. To supplement this grant, PLATO Learning has given The PLATO Learning William R. Roach Award, presented by The NEA Foundation, to East Lake Academy. The award includes a complete computer lab, software, and training worth $150,000.
The second grant was awarded in June 2005 to a partnership in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The third grant was awarded in April 2006 to a partnership in Seattle, Washington.
Each grant totals as much as $2.5 million over five years.
The NEA Foundation expects Hamilton County, Milwaukee, Seattle, and future grant recipients to work with families; businesses; universities; cultural and community-based organizations; local and regional funders; state and local governments; and other institutions to improve students’ academic success. The NEA Foundation recognizes that effective work on closing the achievement gap is already under way. The grant is designed to supplement and build upon existing initiatives.
Using the resources of its partner organizations, the funding provided by The NEA Foundation, and the expertise of education professionals, grant recipients will:
- Reduce the drop-out rate, improve academic performance, and increase the rate at which students go to college without the need for remediation
- Ensure that every low-performing school in the district has well-qualified, highly accomplished staff
- Use data to develop and support district-wide systems of continuous improvement Empower teachers and staff leaders to make instructional decisions that improve student performance
- Strengthen partnerships with families and the civic, business, and philanthropic sectors
- Ensure that needy schools have highly accomplished teachers, and that all students have the instructional support necessary to succeed with a rigorous curriculum
Additional resources about the achievement gap.
