LEAP Innovations' Breakthrough Schools Chicago commits $4 million to expand next-generation, personalized learning in Chicago

CHICAGO, June 25, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The future of teaching and learning is taking shape in public schools across Chicago, thanks to educators who have won grants from Breakthrough Schools Chicago.

Sixteen Chicago Public Schools (CPS) join seven schools selected in 2014 to be eligible for $4 million in philanthropic funding and professional development to create next-generation schools that personalized learning.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said "Breakthrough Schools Chicago reaches public schools of all types all across our city to prepare our kids to succeed with 21st century skills. These educators are leading the way forward, paving a path for how our schools can thrive in the future."

Each school will undergo a complete transformation led by their principal and key teachers to create sustainable 21st century school models that personalize instruction to meet each student's needs, goals and learning styles.

The multi-year initiative is part of the Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC), which provides national funding. Additional support comes from The Chicago Public Education Fund, Northern Trust, the Joyce Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Andy Calkins, Deputy Director of NGLC, said "When it comes to next-gen education and innovation, Chicago is a go-to destination for the nation."

Ech of the 16 schools wins a $30,000 Planning Grant and a 10-month program to help the school teams reimagine teaching and learning, including peer mentoring, site visits to next-gen schools, and training in  school scheduling, staffing, sustainability and competency-based progression. The schools will then compete for one of six $280,000 Launch Grants to implement their plans in the 2016-2017 school year.

In 2014, when LEAP Innovations and The Chicago Public Education Fund collaborated on the first round of programming and grants, seven schools each won $100,000 to plan and implement next-generation models that provide personalized instruction. Each of these schools is on the pathway to whole-school implementation, and could receive up to $263,000 in additional grants.

"Fostering educator-led innovation is a critical component to transforming teaching and learning in the 21st Century," said Heather Y. Anichini, CEO, The Chicago Public Education Fund. "As the lead local funder for Breakthrough Schools Chicago, The Fund is honored to partner with LEAP and looks forward to continuing to catalyze change in public schools across the city."

Launched in spring 2014, LEAP Innovations bridges the gap between education and innovation for teachers and students in pre-K through college. The nonprofit helps educators reimagine school to personalize instruction based on each student's skills, interests and goals, and helps bring technology into classrooms. Headquartered at 1871, Chicago's incubator for digital startups, LEAP also helps companies address unmet needs in education. LEAP's mission is to exponentially advance teaching and learning in and out of the classroom so all students have equal opportunity to reach their potential. For more, go to leapinnovations.org.

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SOURCE LEAP Innovations

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