As mentioned earlier this week, IDEA Public Schools and Harmony Public Schools won Race to the Top grants from the U.S. Department of Education.
A follow up story in the Express-News includes details about how the schools plan to use the grant money. “Schools spell out money plans”, Lindsay Kastner, San Antonio Express-News, December 12, 2012.
IDEA says it will use its $29 million grant to update its student data system and for blended learning:
IDEA plans to use its winnings of about $29 million to strengthen its “blended learning” program, in which students split time between a traditional classroom and computerized instruction, and to bolster its “high dosage” tutoring program, which [Tom] Torkelson called “the holy grail for putting those struggling students on a path toward college.”
Harmony also says it will use its $30 million grant for data system upgrades:
In addition, the charter operator will expand its pilot of a project-based learning curriculum that includes heavy emphasis on technology, said Julie Norton, its director of elementary curriculum.
Harmony also plans to implement a “custom day initiative” in which students will have two class periods per day to spend in electives or on either remedial or accelerated English and math coursework.
