TMCnet News
Area school districts apply for $29.8K grantOct 27, 2012 (The Leader-Telegram - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Twenty-eight rural school districts in west-central Wisconsin are seeking nearly $30 million in federal grant money that would be used to outfit schools with new technology, provide new teacher training and attempt a new curriculum. Those districts -- which include Altoona, Augusta, Bloomer, Chippewa Falls, Cadott, Cornell, Fall Creek, Lake Holcombe, New Auburn and Stanley-Boyd in Eau Claire and Chippewa counties -- have filed a $29.8 million grant application with the federal Race to the Top program. The grant program aims to encourage "innovation and comprehensive reform" in schools. "Very quickly it became apparent this was not an opportunity we could pass up," said Mike Haynes, administrator for Cooperative Educational Service Agency 10. Grant money also would be used for professional development, Haynes said. Districts seeking the grant filed their application through CESA 10. The 28 districts collectively filed the application this month and expect to learn in December whether they will receive the money. If awarded the grant, the consortium would use a large portion of the money to equip classrooms with mobile devices -- iPads, tablets, laptops -- and to provide wireless Internet service in schools where it's not currently available. Three school districts -- Altoona, Neillsville and Greenwood -- also would use grant money to pilot new curriculum programs around project-based learning for fourth- and fifth-grade classes. In project-based learning, students would work in teams or individually on projects that would require them to learn or apply knowledge and skills. Proponents say the educational method often works better at engaging students than traditional classroom methods. If the pilot programs prove successful, a project-based learning curriculum could be expanded and other districts could adopt a similar learning model. Joe Sanfelippo, Fall Creek superintendent, said an exciting aspect of the districts banding together through the grant process is the sharing of educational approaches that has occurred between those districts. For instance, Fall Creek has adopted a merit-pay system for teachers while Eleva-Strumprovides learning tables for its students. Other districts have expressed an interest in learning more about project-based learning. "So what can you bring to the table " he said of the cooperative approach. Swedien can be reached at 715-833-9214, 800-236-7077 or [email protected]. ___ (c)2012 the Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wis.) Visit the Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wis.) at www.leadertelegram.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |