DETROIT, July 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC), an initiative dedicated to improving college readiness and completion, today announced $4.5 million in grants for comprehensive new secondary school and college models that use technology to reach targets for affordability and student success.
"We believe these models will be broadly applicable across secondary and post-secondary education," said Andrew Calkins, Deputy Director of NGLC. "Our goal is to support, test, and refine these comprehensive next generation learning approaches; collect evidence of what works; and then help others adopt those models to improve student success, access, and affordability. A key enabler of all the models is technology."
Grantees Developing Breakthrough Models for College Readiness are creating new, whole-school solutions to improve student performance across secondary education. The new grantees will receive $150,000 pre-launch planning grants, all will be eligible for up to $300,000 in one-to-one matching funds. Among the three Michigan recipients is:
- Schools for the Future - HOPE Academy Schools for the Future High School
Schools for the Future (SFF) is a transformative, recuperative college prep model for youth performing significantly below grade level in reading and math proficiency. SFF combines cutting-edge youth development practices in five domains: competency-based progression to graduation, a unique blended curriculum, a program to build cognitive confidence and self-efficacy, real-time student performance analytics, and online community-based learning opportunities through mobile technology.
"We are pleased to be one of the 12 national and 3 Michigan-based recipients of this Next Generation Learning Challenge to help transform student performance. We have extremely high aspirations-all of our students will graduate ready to succeed in postsecondary education without needing any remedial courses. Technology support will not only help make this happen within the school walls, but will advance learning 24/7 into the home and community," stated Ephraim Weisstein, Founder of Schools for the Future.
NGLC is a collaborative partnership led by EDUCAUSE, the leading organization for information technology in higher education funded primarily by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Funding for NGLC has also been provided by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
www.schools4future.org
SOURCE HOPE Academy Schools for the Future High School
