Rep. Mike Thompson Announces $2.9 Million Investing in Innovation Grant for Del Norte Unified School District
November 14, 2011
Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today announced a $2.9 million Investing in Innovation (i3) grant for the Del Norte Unified School District. The school district successfully submitted an application to the Department of Education for their Responding Effectively to Assessments with Curriculum and Teaching (REACT) program. The district was one of only 23 finalists out of nearly 600 applicants for the i3 grants. The school district has partnered with two prominent California education foundations in their grant application - the Cowell Foundation and The California Endowment. Together, both have committed to matching the i3 grant.
“Innovation is the driving force behind both a good education and a good job in our new global economy,” said Rep. Thompson. “This grant will enhance 21st century learning in our rural classrooms, and help put our students on a fast track to exciting and promising careers.”
The i3 program provides competitive grants to applicants with a record of improving student achievement in order to expand the implementation and investment in innovations demonstrated to improve student achievement or student growth, closing achievement gaps, decreasing dropout rates, increasing high school graduation rates, or increasing college enrollment and completion rates.
"We are very excited, the i3 funding will allow us to support teachers with the training, coaching and collaboration time necessary to meaningfully use student achievement data to inform instruction and meet identified student needs." Steve Godla, Assistant Superintendent of the Del Norte Unified School District.
The Del Norte REACT Program focuses on teaching teachers and administrators to use innovative forms of assessments to conduct analysis of student performance, the effectiveness of teaching practices, and to individual needs of students. REACT is a cohesive structure for improvement of student learning and teacher instruction in all core subjects across our single, county-wide school district.
This year's competition required applicants to submit proposals focused promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, increasing achievement and high school graduation rates supporting effective teachers and principals, implementing high standards and high-quality assessments, and turning around persistently low-performing schools.
Competitive preference was also given to applicants that demonstrated support for improving early learning outcomes, increasing college access and success, addressing the unique needs of students with disabilities and limited English proficient students, or improving productivity or technology.
During the first round of awards last year, the i3 program did little to surface innovative solutions to the unique challenges of high-need rural schools, despite the program's stated emphasis on doing. The emphasis on improving innovation in rural classrooms is highlighted by this latest grant announcement.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
“Innovation is the driving force behind both a good education and a good job in our new global economy,” said Rep. Thompson. “This grant will enhance 21st century learning in our rural classrooms, and help put our students on a fast track to exciting and promising careers.”
The i3 program provides competitive grants to applicants with a record of improving student achievement in order to expand the implementation and investment in innovations demonstrated to improve student achievement or student growth, closing achievement gaps, decreasing dropout rates, increasing high school graduation rates, or increasing college enrollment and completion rates.
"We are very excited, the i3 funding will allow us to support teachers with the training, coaching and collaboration time necessary to meaningfully use student achievement data to inform instruction and meet identified student needs." Steve Godla, Assistant Superintendent of the Del Norte Unified School District.
The Del Norte REACT Program focuses on teaching teachers and administrators to use innovative forms of assessments to conduct analysis of student performance, the effectiveness of teaching practices, and to individual needs of students. REACT is a cohesive structure for improvement of student learning and teacher instruction in all core subjects across our single, county-wide school district.
This year's competition required applicants to submit proposals focused promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, increasing achievement and high school graduation rates supporting effective teachers and principals, implementing high standards and high-quality assessments, and turning around persistently low-performing schools.
Competitive preference was also given to applicants that demonstrated support for improving early learning outcomes, increasing college access and success, addressing the unique needs of students with disabilities and limited English proficient students, or improving productivity or technology.
During the first round of awards last year, the i3 program did little to surface innovative solutions to the unique challenges of high-need rural schools, despite the program's stated emphasis on doing. The emphasis on improving innovation in rural classrooms is highlighted by this latest grant announcement.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
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Issues:Education